Kapya John Kaoma
BTh Theological College of Central Africa, 1997
MA University of Bristol, 1998
Post-Graduate Studies, Episcopal Divinity School, 2003
ThD Boston University, 2010
Email: kaoma8john@yahoo.com
Dr. Kapya John Kaoma has extensive pastoral experience which informs his research interests. He has written and spoken about subjects in mission history, the Anglican communion, gender and African culture, and eco-social justice.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Priest in Charge, Christ Church and Iglesia de San Juan, Hyde Park, MA, 2004-presen
Priest Associate, Christ Church and Iglesia de San Juan, Hyde Park, Boston, MA, 2003 -2004
Priest in Charge, St. George’s Anglican Church, Luanshya, Zambia, 2001-2002
Academic Dean, St. John’s Anglican Seminary, Zambia, 2001-2002
Dean, St. John’s Cathedral, Mutare, Zimbabwe, 2000-2001
Chaplain, St. Augustine’s Mission orphanage, Penhalonga, Zimbabwe, 1999-2000
Lecturer, Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe, 1998-2001
Priest in Charge, Holy Name, Mutare, Diocese of Manicaland, Zimbabwe, 1998- 1999
Superior of the Franciscan Community of Divine Compassion, 1997-2001
Assistant to the Dean, Cathedral of the Holy Nativity, Ndola, Zambia, 1995-1997
RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE
Representative of the Anglican Communion at the Edinburgh 2010 Mission Conference
Chair, Board of Massachusetts Scholarships for Africans Studying in America (MSASA), 2009 – present
Co-Chair, MSASA, Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, 2007-September 2009
Board Member, Episcopal City Mission, Boston, MA, 2008-present
Member, Diocesan immigration Taskforce committee, Boston, MA, 2007-present
Coordinator, Jubilee 2000 Campaign, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK, 1997-98
PUBLICATIONS
“An African or Un-African Sexual Identity? Religion, Globalisation and Sexual Politics in sub-Saharan Africa,” in Public Religion and Politics of Homosexuality in Africa, Adriaan Van Klinken and Ezra Chitando eds., Ashagate, London, Forthcoming 2016.
Caring for Creation as Christian Mission, Edinburgh 2010 Series, Editor, Oxford: Regnum. 2016.
The Creator’s Symphony: African Christianity, the Plight of Earth and the Poor. Dorpspruit, Pietermaritzburg, Cluster Publications, 2015.
“Introduction : Christian Mission as Caring for God’s Creation,” In Kapya J. Kaoma, ed., Creation Care in Christian Mission, Edinburgh 2010 Series, Oxford: Regnum, 2015.
Raised Hopes, Shattered Dreams: Democracy, the Oppressed and the Church in Africa (The Case of Zambia), Trenton, NJ., Africa World Press, 2015.
American Culture Warriors in Africa: A Guide to Exporters of Homophobia and Sexism (endorsed by Desmond Tutu), Cambridge, Political Research Associates, 2014.
God’s Family, God’s Earth: Christian Ecological Ethics of Ubuntu (Foreword from President Joyce Banda and endorsed by Desmond Tutu), Zomba: University of Malawi Kachere Press, 2013.
“The Marriage of Convenience: The U.S. Christian Right, African Christianity and Post-Colonial Politics of Sexual Identity,” Global Homophobia: States, Movements, and the Politics of Oppression, Michael J. Bosia and Meredith L. Weiss eds., Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2013:75-102.
Colonizing African Values: How the U.S. Christian Right is Transforming Sexual Politics in Africa (A Publication of Political Research Associates), 2012.
“The Fifth Mark of Mission: To Strive to Safeguard the Integrity of Creation and Sustain and Renew the Life of the Earth,” in Life-Widening Mission: Global Anglican Perspectives, Cathy Ross ed., Oxford: Regnum Books, 2012: 75-92.
“Witnessing for Christ Today, Christian Mission Beyond Edinburgh 2010,” in 2010 Boston: The Changing Contours of World Christianity, Todd M. Johnson and others eds., Eugene, Pickwick Publication, 2012: 267-272.
“Mission Beyond Edinburgh 2010,” Presented at Boston 2010 Missionary Conference, November 5,
2010.
“Who is a Colonialist: “African Antigay Politics in the Global Discourse,” Publiceye Magazine,
Forthcoming, 2010.
“Missio Dei or missio Creator Dei: Witnessing to Christ in the Face of the Occurring Ecological Crisis,”
originally presented at Edinburgh 2010. To be included in forthcoming volume.
“How U.S. Clergy Brought Hate to Uganda,” The Gay and Lesbian Review Worldwide 17. 3, (May-June, 2010).
“The U.S. Christian Right and the Attack on Gays in Africa,” Publiceye Magazine, (Winter 09 and Spring
10 Edition), 2010.
Globalizing the Culture Wars: US Conservatives, African Churches and Homophobia, Publication of
Political Research Associates, 2009.
“Are Prophets Born or Made? Reflecting and Respecting the Academic Legacy of Boston University,”
Focus, Boston University School of Theology, Special Issue, March, 2008:26-29.
“When the Walls of Jerusalem Fall: Mission to the West,” Boston Theological Institute Newsletter,
Volume XXXIV, 2005.
“David Livingstone’s Attitude toward Nature,” Proceedings of Boston Theological Institute Costas
Consultation in Global Mission 2003: Boston Theological Institute Newsletter, Spring 2003.
“Incarnational Politics, Saving the World from Democracy,” Co-authored with Elizabeth Parsons, The Witness, July 19, 2002.
“God, Humanity and Nature: Revisiting St. Francis of Assisi,” Listening: Journal of Religion and Culture 35, (Fall, 2000): 222-238.
PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS
“The Role of Religion in Influencing Social and Cultural Norms,” The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Washington DC, October 29, 2015.
The Gunther H. Wittenberg Memorial Lecture 2015: “Earth-Theology and Humanitarianism: Lessons Yet Learnt,” University of Kwa Zulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, August 13, 2015..
“For the People of God and the Whole of His Creation,” Keynote, Mission Open Forum, Church of England Diocese of Bath and Wells, April 25, 2015.
“Africa’s Sexual Battle: Retracing the Christian Right Activities in Post-Independence Africa (1960-2015. Regional Strategy Workshop on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya, February 11, 2014.
“A Scramble for African Values: How the U.S. Christian Right is Influencing African Sexual Politics,” Working Paper, Presented at the African Studies Association, Baltimore, Maryland, 2013.
“Historical Perspectives – Our Baptismal Covenant and Mission,” Global Episcopal Mission Network Educational Institute and Annual Meeting, Connecticut, May 3 – 5, 2012.
“Mission, Theological Education and the Environment,” presented at All Africa Theological Education by Extension Africa, Accra, Ghana, October 5, 2010.
“Globalizing the culture wars: US conservatives, African churches and homophobia,”presented at the 2010 International AIDS Conference, Vienna, Austria, July 21, 2010.
“U.S Conservatives and African Anti-Gay Politics,” presented at The Commonwealth Club of California, San Francisco, CA, July 6, 2010.
Keynote Speaker, Confronting Racism: The New England Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action, Acton, MA, March 28, 2010.
“The one who talks, gives wisdom: Some Reflections on Africa’s Opposition to Human Sexuality,” Plenary Paper, First African Dialogue on Christianity and Sexuality, Stellenbosch, South Africa, November 3, 2009.
“What it Means to be a Man or Woman in Africa: The Historical Roots of Homophobia in Africa Today,” presented at MSASA Scholars’ Symposium, Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, MA, April, 2009.
“Revisiting the Question of Ancestors and Democracy in Africa: A Point of View,” presented at MSASA Scholars’ Forum, Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, MA, April, 2007.
“Examining the Millennium Development Goals: Prospects and Challenges,” St. Christopher’s Episcopal
Church of Chatham, MA. March 8, 2007.
“Theology, Environment and Peace: Why the Earth Matters to God,” Plenary Paper, Dag Hammarskjold Memorial Seminar, Sponsored by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) in conjunction with Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation, Kitwe, Zambia, September 15, 2006.
“When the Walls of Jerusalem Fall: Mission to the West,” Presented Orlando Costas Consultation on
Global Mission, Boston Theological Institute, Harvard Divinity School, March 5, 2005.
“When the Spirit Becomes Visible: The Manifestation of the God in Nature,” Presented at African Studies
Student Conference, Boston University, 2005.
“An Ark Surviving the Flood, The Church and HIV,” Presented at St. John’s Anglican Seminary, Kitwe,
Zambia, 2004.
“Our Blood will Mean Something at Last: The African American Influence in the Theology of John Chilembwe,” Orlando Costas Consultation on Global Mission “The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow: Africa in the Global Witness of the Black Church,” Presented at Andover Newton Theological School, Newton, MA, 2004.
“David Livingstone’s Attitude toward Nature,” Presented at Boston Theological Institute’s Costas Consultation On Global Ecumenism and Mission, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 2003.
“Towards an Ethic of Sustainable Development,” Presented at African Religion and Pastoral Challenges Facing the Church Conference, Justo Mwale Theological College, Lusaka, Zambia, 2002.
“Philosophical Critique of Political Development in Southern Africa,” Presented at Faculty Seminar,
Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe, 2000.
“A Priest as a Pastor, Teacher and Prophet,” Presented at Provincial Clergy Seminar, Mutare, Zimbabwe,
1999.