Divine Word Missionaries

Peace, Justice and Integrity Of Creation

JPIC

World AIDS Day
1 December 2006

New data published by the United Nations show that Africa continues to bear the brunt of HIV/Aids. There were 4.3 million new infections in 2006, with 2.8 million (65 per cent) of these occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.

The UN says there is evidence that some countries, like Uganda, are seeing a resurgence in new infection rates which were previously stable or declining.

“This is worrying—as we know increased HIV prevention programmes in these countries have shown progress in the past—Uganda being a prime example. This means that countries are not moving at the same speed as their epidemics,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot.

'AIDS is not just a disease. It is a symptom of many things going wrong and it challenges the way we support one another.' Rev Gideon Byamugisha, an HIV-positive priest from Uganda

Choose Hope prayer

Jesus, giver of life and hope,
you knew the love of a human family
and the warm companionship of your disciples;
and though few of them remained with you at Calvary,
you found even there the support of your friend and
your mother and of unnamed women.
We pray that those today who live with HIV and AIDS
may also be blessed with tender and loving companions,
who will give them practical help in their times of need
and offer them hope in their times of darkness.
May they find in us too an unseen source of strength
as they and we are held together in your love.

http://www.christian-aid.org.uk/worship/church/chope/index.htm

A prayer for women

Loving God, we pray especially today with and for all women
living with HIV or AIDS.
We pray that they may be freed of all pain
physical, emotional and spiritual.
May we all experience your steadfast love.
We give thanks for the witness of so many women,
living with HIV, caring for partners and children.
We praise you for their strength and vitality,
even in the midst of suffering, and their nurturing
ministry when many of us would falter.
We rejoice in the gifts of women exercised in ministry
amongst all your people, particularly those who suffer.
Lead us all to look upon you, O God, where all death is
vanquished in a place of glory for ever and ever. Amen

Prayers for people living with HIV and AIDS

Hear our prayer, O God of mercy and love,
for all who live with HIV or AIDS.
Grant them loving companions
who will support them in the midst of fear;
give them hope for each day to come,
that every day may be lived with courage and faith.
Bless them with an abundance of your love,
that they may live with concern for others.
Pour on them the peace and wholeness,
which you alone can give.
Through Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
who came to give us abundant life.
Amen

O God, whose heart burns with compassion
and love for all of your creation, pour out your
Spirit on those living with HIV and AIDS, their
families and their loved ones, granting them
hope and peace. Through Jesus Christ our
Lord and Saviour. Amen

Author unknown

GREETING FOR WORLD AIDS DAY 2006

To all our Brothers and Sisters of the Catholic Church in Africa and Madagascar, to all men and women of good will, and especially to all who are infected by HIV or affected by AIDS: greetings and best wishes to you all on World AIDS Day 2006. This year's theme is "Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise!" As we commemorate this day, we reflect on the deeper fidelity needed to reverse the pandemic.

We are greatly alarmed by the magnitude of HIV and AIDS, the conditions of susceptibility to infection and illness, its spread and its consequences. The statistics alone tell a devastating story. According to this year's UNAIDS report, 24.5 million people out of a total population of 774 million in sub-Saharan Africa are living with HIV and AIDS. Nearly all the countries of the sub-continent have a rate of infection well above one percent, the epidemic threshold, and the average rate among adults aged 15-49 is 6.1%.

Despite good educational efforts, many people remain ignorant about AIDS or still deny it. Despite greater availability of treatment, more people are dying. And despite the services offered, many infected and ill people are still crushed under the most desperate of circumstances.

Echoing Pope Benedict XVI's teaching this year, we Catholic Bishops of Africa encourage everyone to consider the deeper causes of the pandemic. It is not just medical. A public health approach is necessary but insufficient. As the Church's mission is to address the whole person in all dimensions of life, we feel the special responsibility to revitalise the strong moral values in our societies. That is what will lead to a true, sustainable solution to AIDS in Africa.

Social issues and the Gospel are inseparable. The recent Popes have been insisting on this for at least 125 years. When one offers people only knowledge, ability, technical competence and tools, this brings them too little. This has been stressed again by our Pope, Benedict XVI, when he said recently:

"The God of Jesus Christ must be known, believed in and loved. Hearts must be converted if progress is to be made on social issues and reconciliation is to begin, if AIDS is to be combated by realistically facing its deeper causes and if the sick are to be given the loving care they need."

The attention of the global community has been adequately drawn in recent years to the tragedy of the AIDS pandemic. We have been greatly encouraged by the generous commitments made to provide needed resources for the battle against this dreaded killer. We urge those who have made such promises to remember the strong statement of the late Pope John Paul II that "Promises made to the poor are a debt that must be paid." Commitments must be honoured in good time. Promises must be kept promptly, if we are ever to achieve any reasonable success in the struggle. The theme for this year's World AIDS Day is therefore very pertinent: "Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise!"

On our part, within the means available to us, we will continue to offer care which is competent, loving and holistic. We will educate and preach, tirelessly. We will continue to challenge our fellow-Africans of every age and condition to exercise personal and communal responsibility. We will continue to invite especially our leaders, in the words of the Holy Father, to "a shared commitment to justice and love." And we will continue to welcome the generous and respectful assistance of governments, organizations, religious bodies and individual benefactors.

May our Holy Mother Mary, Queen of Africa and Health of the Sick, intercede for us at the throne of grace. Amen.

† John ONAIYEKAN
Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria

President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)