World Council of Churches |
A GUIDE
TO HIV / AIDS PASTORAL COUNSELLING
People living and dying with AIDS have spiritual and emotional as wwell as medical needs. They ask questions related to God and the soul, life and death, condemnation nd forgiveness, eternity and transcendence, forgiveness and salvation. They are looking for pastoral counselling, consolation and acceptance. In some places, pastors and churches are the nearest or only resources available in times of crisis and need. Increasingly, pastors and churches... are looking for resources, guidelines and tools to help them cope with this new ministry. Aware of the need for pastoral care and counselling, the World Council of Churches called one international and three regional consultations designed to determine an ecumenical response. A report on the international consultation, entitled "AIDS and the Chruch as a Healing Community" was sent to WCC member churches for consideration and action. And in 1990, a group of counsellors from five continents assisted by World Health Organization (WHO) material and staff, produced this guidebook. |