-
Chapter Eleven - Biblical Reflections on a Panel Discussion ‘Disability’
- Zapf Chancery Publishers Africa
- Chapter
- Additional Information
CHAPTER ELEVEN Biblical Reflections on a Panel Discussion on ‘Disability’ Report of a Panel Discussion Grant LeMarquand A highlight of the theological consultation which took place in Limuru in June 2003 was an afternoon given over to a panel discussion on a topic rarely addressed in church contexts in Africa – the plight of so-called ‘disabled’ people. Four speakers, each of them with a particular disability, but each of them tremendously gifted individuals, discussed their experience of living with a disability within an African context. Samuel Kabue, a World Council of Churches consultant on this subject, highlighted the concerns of disabled people as far back as antiquity. In someAfrican cultures, for example, disabled people were not allowed to gather fruits and roots alongside those who were not disabled. He pointed out that, with the coming of the agrarian era, since food was plenty some was given to the disabled as charity. In the colonial and post-colonial periods, this idea of charity spread to governments and churches, and food, clothes, blankets and other necessities were distributed to the disabled. What was often missing, however, was any sense that people who were blind, or hearingimpaired , or lame could make a positive contribution to society. In 1981 the United Nations declared an International Year of Persons with Disabilities. Between 1983 and 1992 the United Nations Theological Education in Contemporary Africa devised an action plan to meet the needs of the disabled. These plans, however, were rarely implemented by national governments, especially in cash-strapped Africa. The church has often cared for the disabled in matters of physical needs. The Thika School for the Blind, for example, was established by the churches. Surprisingly, however, the churches have sometimes neglected the spiritual needs of the disabled. Two more members of the panel, Mr. P. Were and Mrs. Jane Miano proposed that any curriculum for ecumenical theological education should include an awareness of the need for the churches to be involved in advocacy for the disabled, in building the capacity of disabled persons, and in building awareness in the community of the needs and gifts of disabled people. The final speaker was the Honourable Joyce Sinyo. She argued that there should be sensitivity about disabilities in the theological curriculum. She based this on the fact that Jesus in his ministry was sensitive and responded with love to both the physical and the spiritual needs of the disabled. Thus, our curricula should reflect the love of Jesus for the disabled. The entire panel discussion was moving for most participants. It was clear to all present that the presenters had opened a window on a world that our institutions often neglect. A lively discussion took place later in the consultation in which some members told stories of former students at St. Paul’s who had struggled to study theology and to be ordained, but who today were exercising fruitful ministries for the kingdom of God. Their disabilities, in fact, had become for them an opportunity for the gospel. A Biblical Reflection In the context of our consultation several of the major problems of the disabled were raised and discussed: problems of access to facilities for people who are on crutches or in wheelchairs, problems of stereotyping of disabled people, of assuming that a disability in one area meant lack of any abilities to share with the world, and problems of access to education. 212 [44.195.47.227] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 13:17 GMT) One problem struck this observer as especially disturbing, perhaps because I am a biblical scholar.Amember of the consultation related a story about a friend who was disabled, but who had sensed that God might be calling him into the ordained ministry. Sadly, some biblical texts were presented to this person as barriers to their pursuit of ordination. In particular, there is a passage in Leviticus which discussed the requirement for the Old Testament priesthood. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,“ Speak to Aaron, saying, None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a blemish may approach to offer the bread of his God.For no one who has a blemish shall draw near, a man blind or lame, or one who has a mutilated face or a limb too long, or a man who has an injured foot or an injured hand, or a hunchback or a dwarf or a man with a defect in his sight or an itching disease or scabs or crushed testicles.No man...