wfn.org | ACNS3320 Anglicans challenged over HIV/AIDS

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

ACNS 3320     |     CYPRUS     |     21 FEBRUARY 2003

Anglicans challenged over HIV/AIDS

by John Martin

Anglicans throughout the world have been challenged to "raise up a new
generation of children free from the scourge of HIV/AIDS." The call came as
part of a statement issued at the conclusion of the Anglican Communion
Mission Organisations Conference, held in Cyprus 12-18 February.

Delegates were told that the Church is one of the greatest resources in the
fight against HIV/AIDS but one of the weakest because of a reluctance to
openly address issues of human sexuality.

They heard how Anglican Churches in some of the worst hit areas of the world
are taking a lead in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The Council of the Anglican
Provinces of Africa has issued a framework document containing all the key
elements needed by the Churches in the fight against this pandemic.

Most Anglican Churches in Africa are in process of founding an HIV/AIDS desk
to co-ordinate the campaign. In Rwanda, the Anglican Archbishop is chair of
the National Committee on AIDS. In Ghana, the Council of Churches has joined
with the Catholic Church and the Muslim community in a campaign that
emphasises compassion for those infected as well as prevention.

A delegate from Uganda told how the pandemic was challenging existing
approaches to issues such as confidentiality. "What I would call 'shared
confidentiality' works better than 'strict confidentiality.' If I want to
tell my wife I have tested positive I need my pastor to be there and the
Mother's Union to be on hand to support her."

"This is an abnormal problem that calls for the Church to do and say things
that are abnormal," he added.

___________________________________________________________________

For details about the 27th February broadcast, webcast and video
of the Enthronement of the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury, the
Most Revd Rowan D Williams, visit these web sites:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/canterbury/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/

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