Background Women around the world have been denouncing gender injustice as a tool that merit critical analyzes and that hinders peace and justice. Therefore, the silence of the Church on the issue of Violence against Women is identified and challenged in the present study throughout the face of clergy’ wives in the Presbyterian Church of Mozambique. About the study The research is aimed at raising awareness that women and specially clergy’ wives in the PCM are living under violence and abuse perpetrated by their ministers and husbands, as Poling says, “The very people whom they thought they could trust” (1999: ix). The research is done by exploring the following key questions: <ul> <li>What causes the Church to be silent regarding male clergy violence?</li> <li>Why is it that the Church never addresses the problem of violence and abuse by clergy in church and at home?</li> <li>Violence and abuse among clergy’ homes is solved by transferring the male clergy family to another church. Is this process a better solution for solving the family and church problem? Or is it a holistic approach to healing the congregation?</li> <li>Why are clergy’ wives and the Christian community silent about violence happening in their midst?</li> <li>Which Pastoral Care model is needed to address and challenge this issue?</li></ul> The findings The research revealed existence of, among others: <ul> <li>Physical, psychological, spiritual, economical and sexual violence;</li> <li>Deceive, betrayal, discrimination and stigma;</li> <li>Lack of: Vision, education, formation, information, salary and houses;</li> <li>Weak notions of sin</li> <li>Complacent silence</li> <li>Biased notions of discipleship</li></ul> The challenges are: <ul> <li>To speak out; to challenge the Christian, cultural and traditional teachings that are harmful to women; Empower women; provide care; and to transform the patriarchal structures and systems of oppression.</li></ul> Conclusion and recommendations VAW is recognized to be a threat to life in all its aspects. Global and sector based efforts are needed in order to end it. Therefore, the Church is urged to work in a coordinated fashion with all sectors and stakeholders and to build partnerships as to be able to meet the objectives. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

Clergy widows face unique challenges because of being in the manse and their changed position in the congregation. Though they are human, like everyone, the expectations from the church and community are usually different. As the mother to the church, she is expected to be strong for the sake of the church members. There is a common assertion that a clergy spouse should conceal her grief due to her position in public. Many clergy spouses struggle to find their ministry rhythm after losing their husband. One of the contributory factors is the manner in which the local church leadership handles the clergy family after the death of the male clergy. This research was undertaken as a response to the plight of the clergy widows under the local church leadership. A qualitative methodological design was followed to tap out new experiences. Five clergy widows and one pastor were interviewed and an in-depth qualitative analysis was undertaken to explore the role of the church on caring for the clergy family. The results of the study are presented in a descriptive and interpretive approach. The available literature was coherently linked to participants’ narratives in developing new knowledge. Hence, the research is intended to contribute by bringing new perspective on how the church cares for the clergy family after the death of the male clergy. This study was initially scheduled to be done within the Sekhukhune district in the Limpopo province. However, due to the withdrawal of some potential participants, the author ended up overlapping to part of the Mpumalanga province. It was discovered that most churches provided the necessary support towards the burial of the clergy but to dismally disappear immediately after the funeral. This trend coupled with the removal of the clergy family from the manse immediately after the funeral has caused unfathomable trauma in the clergy family As this study’s aim was to contribute to the field of practical theology and pastoral care, the interpretive model postulated by Osmer was employed. The findings are hoped to contribute to the body of knowledge within an African perspective. It is intended to contribute to pastoral an approach, which is applicable to the African perspective and Biblical ethos. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Practical Theology / MA / Unrestricted