Pastoral Relationship with People with Intellectual ... - Theses

37Christian praxis in light of the word of God.” 51 This definition reflects acontextualised understanding of theology. It represents a Christian endeavourlocated within the realm of the pastoral carer, and amongst the people of thatcontext, and amidst the determinative socio-politically constituted structures ofthat realm. It regards Christian practice as requiring critical reflection in light ofthe Word of God located within that context. It is also a definition whichGutierrez understands in terms of commitment to a process. 52 That is, the natureof this critical reflection, unlike the more systematised theological endeavour, isunderstood as ongoing, commensurate with commitment to the particular context.This highly contextualised, processional understanding of the theologicalendeavour represents the broad reason for applying its usage to the institutionalenvironment under consideration in this extended reflection. After all, thepastoral, theological reflection seeks critical, reflective and ongoing engagementwith the institutional environment.However, for this pastoral carer, the most important reason for employinga liberationist theological approach concerns its fundamental commitment to thepoor and marginalised. This is to be carefully equated with the institutionalisedpeople who are the focus of this extended reflection. As liberation theologianRebecca Chopp asserts in Marxist terms,In liberation theology the bourgeois individual is no longer theprimary subject, and authenticity and meaning no longer thecentral crisis for theology. Now the focus of theology is thenonsubjects of history, those who have been denied any voice oridentity in history by their fellow humans. Through this focusChristianity converts, becoming a praxis of solidarity with thosewho suffer and working for the transformation of human agencyand social structures. Through this focal center the sacrament ofGod's grace makes visible the identification of suffering and hope,while the service of God's love opens faith toward a future. 53It is a fundamental concern of this pastoral carer to engage in a pastoral,theological process that is expressive of solidarity with those who, in the historicand contemporary sense, have been and remain without a clear voice or honouredidentity.51 Gutierrez, Gustavo. A Theology of Liberation. Translated by Sister Caridad Inda and JohnEagleson. (New York: Orbis Books, 1988), xxix.52ibid., xxix-xxxiii.53 Chopp, Rebecca. The Praxis of Suffering: An Interpretation of Liberation and PoliticalTheologies. (New York: Orbis Books, 1986), 3-4.