wfn.org | Episcopalians urged to observe Day of Prayer

[Daphne Mack <dmack@dfms.org>]

For more information contact:
Kathryn McCormick
kccormick@dfms.org
212/922-5383

Visit our web site at
http://www.ecusa.anglican.org/ens

99-117

Presiding bishop urges church to observe Day of Prayer for 
Persons affected by HIV/AIDS

by James Solheim

     (ENS) Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold sent a letter in 
July to all parishes of the Episcopal Church, urging them to 
observe a Day of Prayer for Persons affected by HIV/AIDS, "as 
encouraged by General Convention."

     He said that he was inviting the church "to a time of 
reflection and observance about this continuing malady among us" 
based on information about trends in the pandemic supplied by the 
Executive Council's committee dealing with the issue.

     "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," he wrote.

     Yet he pointed to "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."

     Griswold said that HIV/AIDS "continues to be one of the most 
serious health problems in the world," with rapidly increasing 
infection rates in many regions, "notably central Africa, 
southeast Asia and the Indian sub-continent" where costs for 
health care are "effectively prohibitive."

     He added, "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."

     Many churches observe the day of prayer in October, on the 
Sunday closes to St. Luke's Day (October 18). Others may choose 
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," the letter concluded.

     Check the home page for the National Episcopal Aids 
Coalition (www.neac.org) or materials available from Episcopal 
Parish Services (800-903-5544).

--James Solheim is director of the Episcopal Church's Office of 
News and Information.