Solidariedade com pessoas com HIV – uma tarefa teológica

Abstract

Solidarity with the marginalised is for the Church a theological task, whichis also true for a refl ection on the challenge to the Church that the HIV epidemic means. As the Church refl ects on HIV and AIDS, much can be learned from the methodology of liberation theology. Especially useful is the defi nition of theology as a critical refl ection on praxis. But also the method, the see - judge - act and model, is an important tool for this refl ection, which also should include the point of departure, the option for the poor. Applying elements from discourse analysis makes it possible to identify four discourses in the writings of Gustavo Gutierrez. For the socio-political analysis two political discourses are used, the radical and the liberal. The radical political discourse deals with justice for the poor and liberation from oppression as a condition for peace and harmony in society, which are in focus in the liberal political discourse. With the Catholic theological discourse Gutierrez sets the socio-political analysis in relation to Catholic doctrine and through the pastoral theological discourse he gives reason for hope and inspiration to action. As an advocate for a theology of life, Gutierrez urges those who read and listen to him to break the pattern of death and opt for a theology of life. Methodologically this will be useful for a theological and pastoral refl ection on HIV. With people living with HIV as the starting point and through a thorough sociopolitical analysis and a theological refl ection it will be possible to formulate a pastoral theological discourse that can serve as a pastoral plan for action, where the integral liberation is an important perspective.