August 2008

AIDS and the Ancestor Cult: Toward a Contextual Theological Conversation in the “New” South Africa

In "AIDS and the Ancestor Cult: Toward a Contextual Theological Conversation in the 'New' South Africa", Fr Knox explores links between the AIDS pandemic, the Catholic Church and an important South African tradition. South Africans, including Catholics, deeply revere their ancestors and find great value and meaning in associated rituals. He said: "People turn to the ancestors because it makes sense to them and gives them great hope, especially in the AIDS crisis because they are not alone." Fr Knox suggests that the Church borrow those dimensions from the cult which offer hope, consolation and reconciliation to people living with HIV and AIDS and their families. Download the whole thesis in Adobe Acrobat PDF format or download the part you want from the list of attachments below.

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