wfn.org | Episcopal Bishops issue statement on HIV and AIDS

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2001-171L

Episcopal Bishops issue statement on HIV and AIDS

     June 2001

     Dear President Bush and Members of Congress:

     As bishops of the Episcopal Church in the United States, we ask for your support 
in the global fight against HIV and AIDS in the poorest countries. We do so as part of 
the worldwide Anglican Communion, and out of our profound sense that when one member of 
the body suffers, all suffer, as the Apostle Paul tells us.  Our faith also calls us to 
"bear one another's burdens," in fidelity to Christ. 

     There are now 36 million people living with HIV and AIDS around the world, 70% of 
them in Africa.  22 million people have already died.  AIDS is now the number one cause 
of death in Africa, surpassing malaria, and kills many more people than armed 
conflicts.  According to a February 2001 study by the Center for Strategic and 
International Studies in Washington, "In the next decade alone AIDS is projected to 
leave up to one-quarter of the citizens of the most acutely affected African countries 
dead, orphan 27 million children, reduce already marginalized economies by 20 percent, 

and severely strain fragile, or already failing, health and other government structures."  
HIV and AIDS is not only a humanitarian disaster that challenges our 
moral fiber, it poses serious economic and security threats to the region.  

     As Episcopalians, we are connected to Anglicans across the globe, spanning 164 
countries.  Sub-Saharan Africa is home to the largest and fastest growing population of 
Anglicans in the world.  Our partners in that region put a face on these unimaginable 
statistics, telling stories of the effect of HIV-AIDS on their communities, losing 
educators, doctors, parents, children.  Our Presiding Bishop met recently with 35 Heads 
of Anglican Churches from around the world.  For the first time, Archbishops from 
Africa and elsewhere shared openly the devastation caused by the disease, and asked for 
our help.  

     To be certain, religious leaders in Africa and elsewhere have a role to play, 
helping to overcome the stigma and cultural obstacles to effective HIV prevention and 
education, advocating with their government leaders to act, and perhaps assisting in 
the distribution of materials and medicines.  Our Church in the U.S. must play its part 
through direct relief and development resources, and through educating our 
congregations.  We ask the U.S. government to do its part by taking bold action on this 
most critical issue.  We acknowledge the strides already underway in Washington, and 
hope to build upon that momentum.  For us, there could be no more important faith-based 
partnership with the government than one that begins to address the tragedy of HIV and 
AIDS in poor countries.

     The costs are difficult to estimate.  UNAIDS and the World Bank estimate $3-4.2 
billion annually from all international donors for basic prevention and non-
antiretroviral treatment in sub-Saharan Africa.  A recent Harvard study would add 
another $1-3 billion for antiretroviral treatment, reaching only a small number of 
those infected.  Clearly, there needs to be comprehensive analysis of what is needed to 
reduce HIV infection rates and care for those affected.  

     In the absence of clear projected costs, we urge you provide an annual U.S. 
contribution of $2 billion - $1 billion for HIV-AIDS prevention and treatment, and $1 
billion for development and infrastructure needs - to launch an effective international 
response to HIV-AIDS.  This is roughly double the current U.S. spending on these items.  
The United States has been the unquestioned leader in the international response to 
AIDS.  For that, we are grateful.  We ask the U.S. to continue this leadership with a 
strong financial commitment to combat the pandemic.

     We also urge you to lead the World Bank and IMF to provide deeper debt 
cancellation for the poorest countries, using those institutions' own resources, to 
free up money for critical development needs, including HIV-AIDS programs.  The United 
States made a bold commitment to debt relief last year, agreeing to cancel 100% of our 
loans to heavily-indebted poor countries, and providing $435 million to fund the 
initiative.  The World Bank and IMF, however, agreed to cancel only 30-50% of their 
debts to these same countries.  With only a small portion of their reserves, the World 
Bank and IMF could write off up to 100% of their debts to the 22 countries currently 
qualified under the international debt relief program, freeing $500 million each year 
in debt service for health and other needs, without need for additional appropriations.

     These requests come with the knowledge that HIV and AIDS continue to carry a heavy 
burden of stigma in this country and abroad.  It can be tempting to point fingers at those 
affected - some innocent, some not.  But as we struggle to deal with our 
judgement of others, we must be conscious of how our actions - or inaction - will be 
judged.  Can we watch one-quarter of some countries' people die?   Can 27 million 
orphans be left to fend for themselves?  We may not be able to solve the entire problem 
today, but let us not be discouraged from taking the steps necessary to begin the 
journey.  We simply cannot walk on the other side of the path in the face of such 
suffering.  A large international commitment, led by the United States, can stem this 
humanitarian crisis.

     Please be assured of our thanks for your service and our continued prayers as we 
move forward together in this important work.

     Yours sincerely,
 
     The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold
     Presiding Bishop and Primate
     Episcopal Church, USA

     Alabama

     The Right Rev. Henry N. Parsley, Jr.
     Bishop of Alabama
    
     The Right Rev. Onell A. Soto
     Assistant Bishop of Alabama

     Alaska

     The Right Rev. Mark L. MacDonald
     Bishop of Alaska

     Arizona

     The Right Rev. Robert R. Shahan
     Bishop of Arizona

     Arkansas

     The Right Rev. Larry E. Maze
     Bishop of Arkansas

     California

     The Right Rev. William E. Swing
     Bishop of California

     The Right Rev. Richard L. Shimpfky
     Bishop of El Camino Real

     The Right Rev. Frederick H. Borsch
     Bishop of Los Angeles

     The Right Rev. J. Jon Bruno
     Bishop Coadjutor of Los Angeles

     The Right Rev. Chester L. Talton
     Bishop Suffragan of Los Angeles

     The Right Rev. Robert M. Anderson
     Assistant Bishop of Los Angeles

     The Right Rev. Jerry A. Lamb
     Bishop of Northern California

     The Right Rev. Gethin B. Hughes
     Bishop of San Diego

     Colorado

     The Right Rev. William J. Winterrowd
     Bishop of Colorado

     Connecticut

     The Right Rev. Andrew D. Smith
     Bishop of Connecticut

     The Right Rev. James E. Curry
     Bishop Suffragan of Connecticut

     The Right Rev. Wilfrido Ramos-Orench
     Bishop Suffragan of Connecticut

     Delaware

     The Right Rev. Wayne P. Wright
     Bishop of Delaware

     District of Colombia

     The Right Rev. Jane Holmes Dixon
     Bishop of Washington, Pro tempore

     Florida

     The Right Rev. John W. Howe
     Bishop of Central Florida

     The Right Rev. Philip M. Duncan, II
     Bishop of the Central Gulf Coast

     The Right Rev. Stephen H. Jecko
     Bishop of Florida

     The Right Rev. Leopold Frade
     Bishop of Southeast Florida

     The Right Rev. John L. Said
     Bishop Suffragan of Southeast Florida

     The Right Rev. John B. Lipscomb
     Bishop of Southwest Florida

     Georgia

     The Right Rev. Robert G. Tharp
     Asssisting Bishop of Atlanta

     Hawaii

     The Right Rev. Richard S. Chang
     Bishop of Hawaii

     Idaho

     The Right Rev. Harry B. Bainbridge, II
     Bishop of Idaho

     Illinois

     The Right Rev. William D. Persell
     Bishop of Chicago

     The Right Rev. Victor A. Scantlebury
     Assistant Bishop of Chicago

     Indiana

     The Right Rev. Catherine M. Waynick
     Bishop of Indianapolis

     The Right Rev. Edward S. Little II
     Bishop of Northern Indiana

     Iowa

     The Right Rev. C. Christopher Epting
     Bishop of Iowa

     Kansas

     The Right Rev. William E. Smalley
     Bishop of Kansas

     The Right Rev. Vernon E. Strickland
     Bishop of Western Kansas

     Kentucky

     The Right Rev. Edwin F. Gulick, Jr.
     Bishop of Kentucky

     The Right Rev. Stacy F. Sauls
     Bishop of Lexington

     Louisiana

     The Right Rev. Charles Edward Jenkins III
     Bishop of Louisiana	

     The Right Rev. Robert J. Hargrove, Jr.
     Bishop of Western Louisiana

     Maryland

     Standing Committee of the Diocese of Easton
     (current Ecclesiastical Authority for the Diocese)

     The Right Rev. Robert W. Ihloff
     Bishop of Maryland

     The Right Rev. John L. Rabb
     Bishop Suffragan of Maryland

     Massachusetts

     The Right Rev. M. Thomas Shaw, III
     Bishop of Massachusetts 

     The Right Rev. Barbara C. Harris
     Bishop Suffragan of Massachusetts

     The Right Rev. Roy. F. Cederholm, Jr.
     Bishop Suffragan of Massachusetts

     The Right Rev. Gordon P. Scruton
     Bishop of Western Massachusetts

     The Right Rev. Steven Charleston
     President and Dean, Episcopal Divinity School

     Michigan

     The Right Rev. Edwin M. Leidel, Jr.
     Bishop of Eastern Michigan

     The Right Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr.
     Bishop of Michigan

     The Right Rev. James A. Kelsey
     Bishop of Northern Michigan

     The Right Rev. Edward L. Lee, Jr.
     Bishop of Western Michigan

     Minnesota

     The Right Rev. James L. Jelinek
     Bishop of Minnesota

     Mississippi

     The Right Rev. Alfred C. Marble, Jr.
     Bishop of Mississippi

     The Right Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III
     Bishop Coadjutor of Mississippi

     Missouri

     The Right Rev. Hays H. Rockwell
     Bishop of Missouri

     The Right Rev. Barry R. Howe
     Bishop of West Missouri

     Montana

     Standing Committee of the Diocese of Montana
     (current Ecclesiastical Authority for the Diocese)

     Nebraska

     The Right Rev. James E. Krotz
     Bishop of Nebraska

     Nevada

     The Right Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
     Bishop of Nevada

     New Hampshire

     The Right Rev. Douglas E. Theuner
     Bishop of New Hampshire

     New Jersey

     The Right Rev. John P. Croneberger
     Bishop of Newark

     The Right Rev. David B. Joslin
     Assistant Bishop of New Jersey

     New York

     The Right Rev. David C. Bowman
     Interim Bishop of Central New York

     The Right Rev. Orris G. Walker, Jr.
     Bishop of Long Island

     The Right Rev. Rodney R. Michel
     Bishop Suffragan of Long Island

     The Right Rev. Richard F. Grein
     Bishop of New York

     The Right Rev. Mark S. Sisk
     Bishop Coadjutor of New York

     The Right Rev. E. Don Taylor
     Assistant Bishop of New York

     The Right Rev. Jack M. McKelvey
     Bishop of Rochester

     The Right Rev. J. Michael Garrison
     Bishop of Western New York

     North Carolina

     The Right Rev. Clifton Daniel, III
     Bishop of East Carolina

     The Right Rev. Michael B. Curry
     Bishop of North Carolina

     The Right Rev. J. Gary Gloster
     Bishop Suffragan of North Carolina

     The Right Rev. Robert H. Johnson
     Bishop of Western North Carolina

     North Dakota

     The Right Rev. Andrew H. Fairfield
     Bishop of North Dakota

     Ohio

     The Right Rev. J. Clark Grew, II
     Bishop of Ohio

     The Right Rev. Arthur B. Williams, Jr.
     Bishop Suffragan of Ohio

     The Right Rev. Herbert Thompson , Jr.
     Bishop of Southern Ohio

     The Right Rev. Kenneth L. Price, Jr.
     Bishop Suffragan of Southern Ohio

     Oklahoma

     The Right Rev. Robert M. Moody
     Bishop of Oklahoma

     Oregon

     The Right Rev. Robert L. Ladehoff
     Bishop of Oregon

     The Right Rev. William O. Gregg
     Bishop of Eastern Oregon

     Pennsylvania

     The Right Rev. Paul V. Marshall
     Bishop of Bethlehem

     The Right Rev. Michael W. Creighton
     Bishop of Central Pennsylvania

     The Right Rev. Robert D. Rowley, Jr.
     Bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania

     The Right Rev. Charles E. Bennison, Jr.
     Bishop of Pennsylvania

     The Right Rev. Robert W. Duncan Jr.
     Bishop of Pittsburgh

     Rhode Island

     The Right Rev. Geralyn Wolf
     Bishop of Rhode Island

     South Carolina

     The Right Rev. Edward L. Salmon, Jr.
     Bishop of South Carolina

     The Right Rev. William J. Skilton
     Bishop Suffragan of South Carolina

     The Right Rev. Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr.
     Bishop of Upper South Carolina

     South Dakota

     The Right Rev. Creighton L. Robertson
     Bishop of South Dakota

     Tennessee

     The Right Rev. Charles G. vonRosenberg
     Bishop of East Tennessee

     The Right Rev. James M. Coleman
     Bishop of West Tennessee

     Texas

     The Right Rev. James M. Stanton
     Bishop of Dallas

     The Right Rev. D. Bruce MacPherson
     Bishop Suffragan of Dallas

     The Right Rev. Jack L. Iker
     Bishop of Fort Worth

     The Right Rev. C. Wallis Ohl, Jr.
     Bishop of Northwest Texas

     The Right Rev. Claude E. Payne
     Bishop of Texas

     The Right Rev. Leopoldo J. Alard
     Bishop Suffragan of Texas 

     The Right Rev. Don A. Wimberly
     Diocesan Missioner of Texas

     The Right Rev. James E. Folts
     Bishop of West Texas

     Utah

     The Right Rev. Carolyn T. Irish
     Bishop of Utah

     Vermont

     The Right Rev. Thomas C. Ely
     Bishop of Vermont

     Virginia

     The Right Rev. David C. Bane, Jr.
     Bishop of Southern Virginia

     The Right Rev. Donald P. Hart
     Assistant Bishop of Southern Virginia

     The Right Rev. F. Neff Powell
     Bishop of Southwestern Virginia

     The Right Rev. Peter James Lee
     Bishop of Virginia

     The Right Rev. David C. Jones
     Bishop Suffragan of Virginia

     The Right Rev. Francis C. Gray
     Assistant Bishop of Virginia

     Washington

     The Right Rev. Vincent W. Warner
     Bishop of Olympia

     The Right Rev. James E. Waggoner, Jr.
     Bishop of Spokane

     West Virginia

     The Right Rev. Charles Vache
     Assisting Bishop of West Virginia

     Wisconsin

     The Right Rev. Russell E. Jacobus
     Bishop of Fond du Lac

     The Right Rev. Roger J. White
     Bishop of Milwaukee

     Wyoming

     The Right Rev. Bruce Caldwell
     Bishop of Wyoming