wfn.org | ACNS3698 Call to end stigma marks the World AIDS Day in Africa

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

ACNS 3698     |     AFRICA     |     2 DECEMBER 2003 

Call to end stigma marks the World AIDS Day in Africa

[ACNS source: Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa] As the world
turned to mark the World AIDS Day yesterday (December 1), Anglicans
around Africa joined the world to spread the word on AIDS and call for
an end to stigma and discrimination of people affected by HIV/AIDS.

In Kenya, a national week of prayers for people living with HIV/AIDS was
concluded yesterday with the launch of a liturgy that will be used by
the 29 dioceses to regularly pray and support those affected.

Anglican Church of Kenya Provincial Secretary, Rt Revd William Waqo said
the church had in the past "joined the bandwagon of condemning people
infected by AIDS" but said the situation was now being reversed. 

He said the new liturgy had grown out of the concern raised by the
church leadership on the need to promote hope amidst the pain and
despair of AIDS. 

In Bungoma Diocese, Kenya, Bishop Eliud Wabukala flagged off a
procession through the streets of Bungoma town to sensitize people on
the disease. 

In Ghana, Province of West Africa, Christians visited and prayed for
those infected by affected AIDS. National prayers were also made in
conjunction with the Christian Council of Ghana. 

Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) General Secretary, the
Revd Canon John Kanyikwa commended efforts that Provinces in Africa have
made towards addressing HIV/AIDS in their communities and pledged that
the secretariat would continue to offer support. 

HIV/AIDS is devastating families, communities and economies in Africa
with an estimated 27 million people living with the virus in Sub-Saharan
Africa alone. This is more than the rest of the world put together.

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