wfn.org | Letter from the Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold

[Daphne Mack <dmack@dfms.org>]

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99-106

Letter from the Presiding Bishop invites all to a Day of Prayer 
for persons affected by HIV/AIDS

     July 1999

     Dear friends in Christ:  

     Informed by new trends in the HIV/AIDS pandemic by the 
Executive Council's committee on HIV/AIDS, I am moved to invite 
our congregations to a time of reflection and observance about 
this continuing malady amongst us.  

     We can give thanks for the encouraging progress against the 
disease in some of the developed countries where many infected 
people are living longer and the rate of infection among gay men 
has slowed or declined.  Unfortunately, at the same time, there 
is an alarming rise in HIV infections in communities of color, 
young heterosexual men and women, drug users, and older married 
women.  And while people are living longer with the disease, 
there is still no cure and no vaccine to prevent it. 

     The pandemic continues to be one of the most serious health 
concerns in the world.  Infection rates are increasing alarmingly 
in many regions, notably central Africa, southeast Asia, and the 
Indian sub-continent.  The costs of caring for people with AIDS 
are effectively prohibitive in these regions.  Many countries 
face economic decline because of the devastation of the disease 
among working-age people. 

     A strong and ongoing ministry to all people affected by 
HIV/AIDS continues to deserve a high priority in the outreach of 
the Episcopal Church.  I am so grateful for the compassionate 
witness undertaken by our church in response to this disease over 
the years.  That response is still needed.  

     Therefore, I hereby invite all congregations of our Church 
to a Day of Prayer for Persons affected by HIV/AIDS, as 
encouraged by our General Convention.  Such a day might be 
observed in October on the Sunday closest to St. Luke's Day 
(October 18) if convenient; or otherwise on the Feast Day of 
Constance and her Companions in Memphis (September 9) or some 
other appropriate time.  

     I urge all members of the Episcopal Church to support this 
observance with their prayers and presence, and to take part in 
this important ministry according to their individual gifts and 
talents.

Frank T. Griswold
Presiding Bishop and Primate