wfn.org | ACNS3288 African Church leaders share concerns on AIDS

["Anglican Communion News Service" <acnslist@anglicancommunion.org>]

ACNS 3288     |     UGANDA     |     31 JANUARY 2003

African Church leaders share concerns on AIDS

By Justus Waimiri

[CAPA] Over 35 Anglican Church leaders from across Africa converge in Uganda
this week for a crucial workshop on strengthening church leadership for
HIV/AIDS prevention and care.

The meeting, which is the first of its kind in bringing together
representation from all Anglican Provinces in Africa, is aimed at enhancing
the capacity of Church leaders to plan and implement effective HIV/AIDS
activities in their churches and communities.

Among the key points of deliberation will be how to remove stigma for HIV
positive people, encouraging home based care and reduction of HIV prevalence
through behaviour change.

The workshop was officially opened on Monday 27 January by the Prime
Minister of Uganda, Professor Apollo Nsibambi, who underscored the critical
role of Church leadership in the fight against AIDS.

"We as Governments of Africa urge you, religious leaders, to continue
playing your traditional and divine role of caring and providing spiritual
support to those infected and affected by AIDS," he said.

He also called on the Church to take a proactive approach in advocating
HIV/AIDS preventive measures.

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Revd Livingstone
Mpalanyi-Nkoyoyo, commended the Government of Uganda for working closely
with the Anglican Church and other faith-based organisations saying the
Church has the benefit of a good grass roots network and a captive audience.

The workshop is organised by the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa
(CAPA) and has drawn resource people from Africa, America and Europe. All
the Anglican Provinces in Africa are represented in the workshop.

Also present are the Chairman of CAPA and Primate of West Africa, Archbishop
Robert G A Okine, partners and well-wishers.

The host nation, Uganda, will provide participants with a rich showcase for
the progress it has made in addressing stigma, reducing HIV transmissions
and promoting family based care.

The workshop will deliberate ways of realising the vision of the Anglican
Church in Africa, which is to see future generations born and living in a
world free from AIDS.

___________________________________________________________________
The ACNSlist is published by the Anglican Communion Office, London.

Please send QUESTIONS or COMMENTS to acnslist@anglicancommunion.org.

You can subscribe/unsubscribe and get help online at:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/acnslist.html

Or to unsubscribe send a blank message to leave-acns@acolists.org.

Thank you for your support for the Anglican Communion News Service.