Pastoral Relationship with People with Intellectual ... - Theses

191To a significant extent, this is a culturally-imposed gap that cannot befully bridged. It is arrogance to presume that I can walk in the shoes of the one Iobserve. However, I can reduce the space between us by observing and listeningwith all the commitment and resources I can harness. At least using suchresources in this way can lead to an understanding that may offer a measure ofpositive identity. However, it can never be a fully first-hand identity for theSlave’s world is not mine.But there is a secondary cause for a divide that I can do something aboutand that concerns the gap that exists between theory and practice. Even if Iobserve and listen with acute commitment and skill a divide will remain ifobservations and understandings go no further, and compassion goes no furtherthan a good intention. I need to confront the question of the limited worth ofunderstanding that goes no further than contributing to the development ofrenewed frameworks for future observations. Such observations are of nopractical benefit to the lived circumstances of the Slave. They do nothing toimprove their lives either personally or systemically. If such benefit is to beafforded to the Slave then the time must come when my theoretical perspectivemust be applied to a mode of relationship with the Slave and their lived contextwhich is, ultimately, of practical benefit to them.This is a gap that must be bridged if a measure of liberation is to beattributed to the life of the one whom I observe, and if a measure of lived slaveryis to be redressed by carefully-considered pastoral action. And as the life journeyof the Slave proceeds it is a gap that must go on being bridged.This is a gap that must be bridged through my seeing the one before me asa fellow human being created in God’s image who deserves the benefits of humanlife on the basis of being human and loved by God. It comes from a passion forseeing injustice redressed and life restored. The Slave requires no less of acommitment.