CRITICAL REFLECTIONS ON INFERTILITY IN BLACK AFRICAN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES

Abstract

A childless marriage in an African context has traditionally had little chance of survival. Marriage and procreation are seen as a unity, and infertility has always been regarded as an affliction or disgrace among Africans. The majority of the childless couples are therefore treated as abnormal and less important in our communities and churches. Some marriages end in divorce while other couples see polygamy as a solution. The theoretical question of the article is: “If people are rejected for their infertility status, in which way can pastoral care play a role to help them regain their dignity in African context?” This question occurred to me through observing the deep distress of childless couples. It is my conviction that pastoral care-givers as well as the entire community have a role to play in helping the infertile people to accept themselves. This article will unmask the view and attitude of African community towards infertile people, and later prove from the biblical point of view that infertility is not a disgrace (in contrast to the traditional African view). People without children must not be mocked, cast out or marginalised, since the Bible does not condemn them for their barrenness.