Vices and virtues in contemporary pastoral practice : a case study of the Catholic Diocese of Gweru in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The topic of vices and virtues has always been topical for theologians of every era regardless of culture and location. It is not an over assertion to say that over the centuries scholars have dealt with this topic from diverse perspectives. The pastoral question how can we minimize or eradicate vice while at the same time nurturing in pastoral practice have resulted in diverse discourses and answers. Each generation of theologians have dealt with this topic from its own context and time. The biggest question now is how does the contemporary pastoral theologian understand the topic of vices and virtues. How are the contemporary theologians answering the fundamental questions on vices and virtues? Jesus said to his disciples “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mt 5.13-15) The topic of vices and virtues therefore is an area that tries to answer how each generation has tried to measure to the identity of being salt light to the world. In this dissertation we shall see how the drama of vice and virtue unfolds in the contemporary society in general and in Gweru Diocese in particular. The initial part of the research focusses on the general concept of vice and virtue and the discourses that surround the topic. As the research progresses it will narrow down to the catholic Diocese of Gweru in its pastoral and administrative structures with a bias towards the policies of the Diocese. In the end the discourse will lucidly deliberate on plausible recommendations and conclusions on the topic.