Geneva — If African churches are to be "AIDS competent", their pastors must be trained to equip members with "sharp minds, keen ears, warm hearts, quick feet and loud voices", a Zimbabwean scholar said.

Such theological training of pastors is the essential first step to overcoming "ambulance theology", which means "always arriving after the accident has already taken place", Ezra Chitando, a historian and theologian said. He has authored two new books on African churches and the pandemic.

Chitando spoke last week at the launch of the two books: "Living with Hope" and "Acting in Hope". They are published by the Geneva-based World Council of Churches.

Only when African pastors are adequately prepared can they act in a timely way to meet the challenges of the epidemic, Chitando said, according to Ecumenical News International.

The new books seek to define what an "HIV-competent" church should be, said Chitando, who also teaches history and phenomenology of religion at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare.

Perhaps the most critical aspect of the churches' response to the pandemic is hope, Chitando noted, "especially in Africa, where hope is in such short supply".

The books were launched during the 13-20 February meeting of the WCC's main governing body, its central committee.

Chitando said he hopes his books will reach audiences in the global North, as well. "If we talk about the church as one body where if one hurts we all hurt, then what we're learning in Africa should be instructive to European and North American churches."

"HIV/AIDS is a global epidemic, even if it has hit Africa the hardest," said Chitando, "so the whole world needs to be mobilised."