Abstract:
By its very nature the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) should invoke response and challenge from all sectors
of society, including the church and the academia (theological practitioners). However, in the
early years of HIV and AIDS, more or less 30 years ago, the church has been apathetic in its
response and engagement with issues relating to HIV and AIDS. Due to the fact that the HIvirus
and the AIDS disease raises moral, ethical, gender, cultural, sexual and spiritual matters,
it took a considerable long time for the church to become involved. In theological practice
the response and involvement in HIV and AIDS matters was also initially characterised by
theological impotency.
This article therefore, provides a philosophical, theological and biblical basis and reflection
to the church especially, in Africa, to effectively respond to the plight, crisis and scourge of
HIV and AIDS and its impact to orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC). The effects
and repercussions of this pandemic are everywhere glaring, especially in developing nations.
This worldwide epidemiology of HIV and AIDS has evoked resources from many national
governments (particularly in developing countries), the United Nations bodies, Non-Profit
Organisations, etcetra. Indeed, the bone-chilling statistics emanate from the World Health
Organisation, AIDS conferences and newspaper articles The latest statistics on people infected
with HIV and people living with AIDS, including the OVC, sends shock waves throughout
the world. The apathetic and largely disengagement by the church towards the OVC, paucity
and dearth of theological publications in current times on this subject and topic indicate that
the church in Africa needs to come to terms with her theological and biblical mandate to care
for the OVC. This article therefore provides a synopsis and survey of how God’s people (Israel
in the Old Testament and the Church in the New Testament) were commanded by God to
care for OVC. Based on the biblical text, the contemporary church in Africa should break the
vicious and dangerous cycle of silence, apathy and disengagement and start alleviating the
plight of OVC.
