INTERNATIONAL PASTORAL
CARE  NETWORK  FOR
SOCIAL  RESPONSIBILITY

CENTRAL THEME:
PASTORAL PERSPECTIVES ON VIOLENCE

     Violence can be described in general terms as the illegitimate or unauthorized use of force - physical, verbal, emotional, spiritual, or economic among many others - to effect decisions against the will or desire of others.  Such force can and does take a variety of forms.  It is the force of social, political and economic systems; what has been referred to as structural violence or collective violence.  Violence is also the force of one person exerted against another person; what has generally been defined as personal violence.  Such individual violence is force expressed in rape, homicide, assault, child abuse, spouse abuse - more frequently wife abuse - and the seemingly endless, and horrifying, variations on individual physical, verbal, emotional and spiritual violence.

     Broadening this vision, violence can also be understood as the imposition of human will on creation without due consideration for the integrity of God's creation.  In this sense, violence is the tearing of the fabric of creation.

     Whether violence occurs between or in the midst of persons, families, groups, nations or the fullness of creation, the common theme is that someone violates the integrity or identity of another.  Such violations may be physical, emotional, spiritual, economic, political or social.  In any of these circumstances, the fundamental issue is that someone imposes their will on another in such a way that violates their fundamental or inherent value.  Their freedom of choice or inherent value are ignored, trampled, demeaned or fragmented.

     The International Pastoral Care Network for Social Responsibility has consistently sought to defend the importance of the integrity of God's creation.  This integrity involves all aspects of human beings and being human.  Using the image of a spiders web, the IPCNSR seeks to respect and defend all aspects of God's creation.  In light of this broad task, our central theme for the next two years, and possibly beyond, is Pastoral Perspectives on Violence.

     It is important to note that our approach does not begin with psychological, sociological or political analysis of violence.  Though these will undoubtedly be part of our discussion where we begin is with Pastoral Perspectives on Violence.  What is it that our faith says about violence?  How can we live out our faith in the midst of a violent world?  What does it mean to be Christian in the face of so many expressions of violence?  How do we deal with the violence that is perpetrated in the name of Christianity?  These, and many other, questions need to direct our discussion during the coming two years.

     Our goal is not to reach any definitive conclusions.  In this world there are probably no final answers.  However, we can provide a forum for discussion and debate that can lead us forward in our quest for a mature faith that expresses itself in faithful action.

     Another question that should always be in the forefront is: "What does it mean to be pastoral?"  In many churches I have visited there is a painting or representation of Jesus rescuing the lost lamb.  This is a classic understanding of Pastoral Action or what it means to be Pastoral. Without a doubt, this symbol presents an important aspect of what it means to be Pastoral.  I deeply believe that we need to include this element of protection and rescue in our understanding of what it means to be Pastoral. However, I do not think that this metaphor exhausts what it means to be Pastoral.

     I have never seen a painting or banner of Jesus confronting the Pharisees or expelling the money changers from the temple.  Maybe it is because such a vision of being Pastoral is uncomfortable for us.  Yet this is also a part of the life and ministry of Jesus.  Confronting, with love and intensity, those who violate the sacredness of life and creation is also an integral element in what it means to be Pastoral.

     During the next two years our challenge as a Network will be to explore Pastoral Perspectives on Violence.  This means looking at the many faces of violence, and the many ways we "Pastor" both violator and violated.  I am looking forward to the future, and very much want to learn from all who participate in this challenging discussion.

Dr. James Farris
São Paulo, Brasil
President
IPCNSR

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