Abstract
Mercy Amba Oduyoye�s untitled poem about a circle sets the context for the renewal of the legacy of The Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians (The Circle) at a time when The Circle seems to be moving in circles of uncertainty lacking a clear unified focus. Oduyoye describes a circle as eternal, expansive, evolving and sustained by self-critique, accountability, inclusiveness and connectedness to the reality around it. This continuous movement is expressed in the concept of Sankofa�Kairos which is rooted in the past and radically responsive to the present. This �backward�forward� theological method is critical for The Circle to remain true to its mission as a liberating theological and cultural voice for women and other oppressed groups. In contemporary contexts where oppression is pervasive and includes all groups, an inclusive gender paradigm as well as accountability to oppressed groups is critical for the renewal of The Circle. Trinitarian theology provides a model for liberating relationships characterised by equality, difference, mutuality, communion and oneness. Thus, it will be argued that Trinitarian theology provides theological resources for Sankofa�Kairos theologies for The Circle that will be inclusive and accountable to all oppressed groups. This will contribute to the restoration of The Circle as a critical contributor to liberation theologies in Africa.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article proposes Sankofa�Kairos methodology based on the dual legacies of The Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians and The Kairos Document as the starting point for developing accountable and inclusive liberation theologies rooted in Social Models of the Trinity that could respond to the multiple challenges emerging from the African context.Keywords: Sankofa; Kairos; gender; African-women theologies; accountability;inclusivity; masculinities
Highlights
The above untitled poem about a circle was written by Mercy Amba Oduyoye, the founding visionary of The Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians.1 In the opening line of the poem, she describes the enduring characteristic of a circle as1.The Circle was founded in 1989 at a meeting of women theologians in Accra, Ghana, led by Mercy Amba Oduyoye and has an estimated membership of 600
The following outline will be used to further develop the argument and themes: firstly, Sankofa and The Circle focusing on the legacy and lessons learnt by The Circle in response to HIV and AIDS; secondly, Kairos and The Circle which will engage in internal critique through the two characteristics of inclusion accountability; thirdly, Trinitarian theology as a resource for liberating, equitable and just relationships and concluding remarks which will be a return to Oduyoye’s poem
This article sought to contribute to the informal conversation on shifting The Circle from ‘moving in circles’ to moving in sync with its legacy of liberating theologies for women and extending these to include all oppressed groups, where there is theological justification for their oppression
Summary
The above untitled poem about a circle was written by Mercy Amba Oduyoye, the founding visionary of The Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians (hereinafter referred to as The Circle).1 In the opening line of the poem, she describes the enduring characteristic of a circle as1.The Circle was founded in 1989 at a meeting of women theologians in Accra, Ghana, led by Mercy Amba Oduyoye and has an estimated membership of 600. The following outline will be used to further develop the argument and themes: firstly, Sankofa and The Circle focusing on the legacy and lessons learnt by The Circle in response to HIV and AIDS; secondly, Kairos and The Circle which will engage in internal critique through the two characteristics of inclusion accountability; thirdly, Trinitarian theology as a resource for liberating, equitable and just relationships and concluding remarks which will be a return to Oduyoye’s poem.
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