From What We Should Do to Who We Should Be: Negotiating Theological Reflections and Praxis in the Context of Hiv/Aids Among the Igbos of Nigeria

Benedict Chidi Nwachukwu-Udaku

Aug 2011 · Author House

About this ebook

HIV/AIDS constitutes a global problem. A good number of scholars from different nationalities, multiple rationalities, religious sensibilities, theological intelligibilities and ethical, cultural, and ecclesiastical backgrounds have affirmed that this worldwide quagmire constitutes a global health problem and social malady which does not have a well-defined geographically limited spread. The global nature of HIV/AIDS as seen in the statistics does not however undermine the fact that the effects of this sickness are not felt proportionally from one nation to another. This book proposes to situate the local as a veritable site of empowerment for communities dealing with HIV/AIDS, as it is the case with the African continent. The author of this book, over and above the way the problem of HIV/AIDS has been constructed, projected, and reviewed, decided to situate this epidemic of the 20th Century within the socio-cultural and political context of the Nigerian nation with particular reference to the Igbo people. The task of contextualizing this problem reveal the identity of the author as an Igbo, and as a theologian, who engages the indigenous ethical principles, unsophisticated traditional wisdom, cultural and religious values of his people in offering solutions that resonate the cultural identity of his people in dialogue with modern and post-modern constructs.

About the author

Benedict C. Nwachukwu-Udaku, a priest from Ahiara Diocese, Nigeria, received his PhD in Moral Theology from Universidad Pontificia Comillas, Madrid, Spain and MA Degree in Bioethics from the same University. At present, he teaches at the Ministry Formation Institute, San Bernardino Diocese California. He is also doing a Post-doctoral Masters Degree in the School of Arts and Humanities (SAH) at Claremont Graduate University, California, USA. Dr. Nwachukwu-Udaku was awarded a Honourable Distinction for his doctoral dissertation titled Sida en Africa: Reflexiones y Propuestas desde el pueblo Igbo. He has also published scholarly articles in International Theological Journals. His major areas of research are bioethics, social ethics, religion and public life, and intercultural/postmodernist discourse. In addition, Fr. Nwachukwu-Udaku engages a joyful and graceful pastoral ministry at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rancho Cucamonga, Califonia. He is a member of the Committe for the Continuing Formation of Priests in the San Bernardino diocese, Califonia. He is also a regular presenter at El Sembrador Radio and Television (ESNE) Burbank California. He has preached Parish Mission in several parishes in the diocese of San Bernardino.