Apathy in caregiving –

Abstract

Over the years little attention has been given to a practical theology of compassion. Even in the discussion on theopaschitic theology, and the implication of a theology of the cross for theory formation in practical theology and the praxis of ministry, the emphasis was mainly on reconciliation, forgiveness, and the notion of restorative justice. Ethical and moral issues dominated the discourse. In the meantime, it seems that people in their quest for a humane society, social justice and human dignity are exposed to a gradual inflation of compassion. The migrant crisis has become a crisis of replacement and apathy; xenophobia represents and antipathy of local communities towards strangers. The emphasis on wealth and importance in affluent societies create carelessness, insensitivity and even antipathy against the demands of strangers and poor people. Zygmunt Bauman (2013) refers to “moral blindness and the loss of sensitivity in liquid modernity”. At the same time, disillusionment breeds a kind of antipathetic anger, captured in a very poignant and harsh expression: “F*ck you” (Manson 2016). This phenomenon of antipathy and indifferentism had already been identified as a huge stumbling block for ministry in medieval times and life in monasteries. Sloth had been earmarked as one of the seven deadly sins. How then should a theology of compassion and the praxis of pastoral caregiving respond to these very challenging phenomena of apathy, indifferentism, sloth, and life fatigue?