Verbum et Ecclesia
Volume 40, Issue 1, 2019
Pastoral care to migrants as care at the ‘in-between’ and ‘liminal’ home away from home: Towards public pastoral care to migrants (Article) (Open Access)
Magezi V.*
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a
Unit for Reformational Theology and the Development of the South African Society (URT), Faculty of Theology, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Abstract
Migration is one of the greatest challenges in recent times. Churches, like other sectors of society, are expected to contribute. Pastoral care as a frontline ministry that forms a link with society is expected to develop strategies for effective pastoral caregiving. Understanding the challenges of migrants to appropriately intervene requires a relevant diagnostic and assessment framework. This article proposes the notion of ‘life in-between’ as an assessment and guiding pastoral care intervention framework. The article argues that pastoral care to migrants should assume a public pastoral care approach to address their holistic needs and address the public dimension of care. Within this context, life at the ‘in-between’ is conceived physically, metaphorically, spiritually, emotionally and theoretically. The pastoral care provided to migrants as people at the ‘in-between’ is enriched by the notion of the human web as opposed to only focusing on the human document within the complexities of migrant care. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The study focuses on practical theology, but with a specific focus on the sub-discipline of pastoral care. It examines the phenomenon of migration and how it can be responded to. It focuses on designing a model for assessment and intervention in migrant care. © 2019. The Authors.
Author Keywords
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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85075122901&doi=10.4102%2fve.v40i1.1990&partnerID=40&md5=2d4c66a6d95a0594999cb4aac4444d07
DOI: 10.4102/ve.v40i1.1990
ISSN: 16099982
Original Language: English