The trauma of stigma that is living within the reformed church in Zambia which ostracises people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA)

Abstract

Stigmatization and discrimination of PLWHA by some pastors and some church members are challenges and serious problems that are affecting PLWHA in the Reformed Church in Zambia and in other denominations within Zambia. The aim of this research is to explore ways of loving and embracing PLWHA who are already affected with the problem of stigma in the RCZ. The research will help deal with the problems of despising, condemning, rejecting and isolating of PLWHA by some clergy and some church members. The author seeks to develop a pastoral care model that will empower pastors and church members to love and embrace PLWHA in the church. The other aim of this research is to empower the PLWHA with the pastoral care model that has been developed so that they can be able to cope with the problem of shame, rejection and isolation caused by being stigmatized by some pastors and some church members. This research is focused on the traumatic experiences that the PLWHA go through as they continue being members of the church. Their fellowship with God and their fellow church members happen to be affected as some of them discontinue being church members. This research study explored a model of pastoral care in which the affected PLWHA have to be helped to acquire healing after trauma counselling by the pastoral caregivers who are empowered by this research. A model which has been employed in this research includes the one of the shepherding model of Charles Gerkin and of Adams which is on pastoral care as shepherding of flocks which belong to God. The word of God has been used to explore where the researcher wanted to show His love towards his people even when they are under difficulty circumstances. The research has also indicated roles of different groups and individuals who should contribute to the healing of PLWHA who are traumatized by being stigmatized by some pastors and some church members. At the end of this research study, there are concluding remarks which have led to recommendations that readers have to take note of.