wfn.org | ACNS3375 Government engages Anglicans in Kenya on AIDS

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

ACNS 3375     |     KENYA     |     28 MARCH 2003

Government engages Anglicans in Kenya on AIDS

by Justus Waimiri

[Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa] The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK)
and the Kenyan Government have now entered into serious negotiations on how
to work together in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

At a high level meeting held at the Limuru Conference Centre on Tuesday and
attended by all the 29 Bishops and top Government officials, Archbishop
Benjamin Nzimbi expressed satisfaction at the commitment and goodwill that
the new Government was showing in working with the Church. He said this
commitment has shown lacking in the past.

The Archbishop presented to the Government a detailed plan of how the
Anglican Church of Kenya was involved in the war against AIDS, noting that
AIDS activities were being integrated in all pastoral work.

The campaign to work with religious groups was initiated by newly elected
President Mwai Kibaki at a colourful function at State House, Nairobi, last
Sunday.

The President told leaders from the mainstream churches that they had a duty
to spearhead the fight against the scourge because they knew best the
suffering of those infected and affected at the local community.

In Kenya, 700 people are dying daily from AIDS, with 52 per cent of all
hospital bed occupancy being taken up by people infected with HIV/AIDS.

Bishop Peter Njenga of the Mt Kenya South Diocese challenged scientists and
multinational companies to put more effort in developing a vaccine for AIDS.

The Mothers' Union, which has been actively involved in orphan care, was
also represented at the consultations.

The Bishops, clergy and church members later walked along Nairobi streets to
show solidarity with those affected by AIDS and to sensitise the public
about the dreaded disease.

___________________________________________________________________

For details about the Enthronement of the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury,
the Most Revd Rowan D Williams, visit http://www.anglicancommunion.org/

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