Omega Bula

Omega Chilufya Makumba Bula was a Zambian theologian, ecumenical leader and advocate for racial, gender, economic, ecological, and social justice in Zambia and Africa. Bula served in several religious and international organizations, including the United Church of Canada (UCC), the World Council of Churches, the All Africa Conference of Churches, and other ecumenical groups and organizations. She was involved in several local ministries in her home church and mentored younger women. She wrote and taught an inclusive liberation theology and a just economic system, challenging capitalism, patriarchy, and environmental pollution. Bula was a matriarch of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians.

Ecumenical work Bula grew up during the colonial period in Africa, so her theology was influenced by "her historical, religio-cultural, and economic context". She was the first General council minister for racial justice. She was mandated to implement the provisions of the Anti-Racism policy of the United Church. Bula asserts that even though the policy is significant in acknowledging and condemning racism, application of the policy for transformation of society is not guaranteed due to the multifaceted dimensions of racism. She contributed to the formation of the Partner Council, which was an important part of designing the Principles of Global Partnership. Bula was a member of the Roundtable for Specialized Ministries, which provided financial support for the women's program. She was part of the WCC delegation that had an ecumenical solidarity visit to Sudan in 2008. She was a member of the Ecumenical Panel on the New International Financial and Economic Architecture at WCC. Bula advocated for application of Christian principles and theology in creation of just global economic systems that are not exploitative of society and the environment.

Bula was program director at Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation in Kitwe, Zambia, and founding member of the Association of Christian Lay Centers in Africa.

Bula was program director at the All Africa Conference of Churches' Women's Desk in Nairobi. She trained economic literacy facilitators to educate lay people on how to contribute to community development. She emphasized and endorsed the potential and role of lay people in social transformation. In the WCC news, Fulata Moyo states that Bula mentored her by "providing stepping stones for Moyo to reach her highest potential in serving the God of justice". Localization and glocalization ensure liberation begins at the grassroots level, liberating communities before extending to regional and continental spheres. Bula's theological discourse was shaped by historical, religio-cultural, and economic happenings, which affected Zambia, local communities, women, and the natural environment. She pioneered an inclusive theology where scripture, myths, and experiences become empowering tools for economic justice. She envisioned a just economic system that dignifies people, without discrimination and exploitation. Bula's liberation theology addressed capitalism and the ethos of exploitation, over-consumption, and discrimination, patriarchy, and environmental degradation. In Kenya, Zambia, and Canada, Bula was committed to shaping the church as a faithful agent of transformation mandated with exposing injustice and pursuing justice in the world.

Bula died of heart complications from cancer on January 31, 2023, in Lusaka, Zambia.

Publications

Bula, O. (1992). Women in Mission: Participating in Healing. International Review of Mission, 81: 247-251. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-6631.1992.tb02301.x Bula, O. (1993). "Transformation of Society by Laity Formation." The Ecumenical Review, 45: 432-436. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-6623.1993.tb02890.x Bula, O. (2002). Images of Africa: Challenging negative stereotypes in media and society. Making Waves, 2(4). Bula, O. (2005). Pedagogical implications of the Accra Confession. Reformed world, 55(3), 251-256. Park, S., Ortega Suárez, O., & Bula, O. (2005). Alternatives are possible! Reformed world, 55(3), 279-292. Bula, O. (2005). Reformed faith and the rejection of economic injustice: Essays on practising the Accra Confession. Reformed World, 55, 187–197 Bula, O. (2010). Living faithfully in the context of empire: Challenges and opportunities. In D. Visser (Ed.), That they may all be one: Celebrating the World Communion of Reformed Churches (pp. 86–78). World Alliance of Reformed Churches. Bula, O. (2014). Threat to Women's Rights and Dignity: Tourism and Gender in Africa. Deconstructing tourism: who benefits?, 111-125.