World AIDS Day Message from the Catholic Archbishop Bernard Moras

[Guest guest]

MESSAGE FOR THE WORLD AIDS DAY

December 1, 2006, Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise. From Stigma and

Silence to Dignity and Solidarity

1. Reflecting on the theme of the World AIDS Day, `Stop AIDS: Keep

the Promise', many faces of people living with HIV and AIDS came to

my mind spontaneously, especially of those whom I know personally who

suffer much from the stigma and discrimination which are linked with

the disease. It reminded me then the voice of God heard by Moses from

a burning bush on Mount Horeb: " I have seen the affliction of my

people…and I have heard their cry…I know their sufferings, and have

come down to deliver them...! Come, I will send you … to bring forth

the people! And, I will be with you! " (Ex. 3: 7, 8, 12) This verse

aptly sums up God's concern and compassion for the suffering and the

afflicted. It is this same message that we reflect during this holy

season of Advent that prepares us for the celebration of Christmas,

the birth of the Saviour. Incidentally, the World AIDS Day coincides

with the beginning of Advent. In solidarity with my sisters and

brothers who experience pain and dejection, as the Chairman of the

Commission for Health of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, I

would like to reflect with you, on the issue of stigma and untold

suffering of the people living with HIV and our response as members

of one human family.

2. Since the identification of the first instance of HIV in India in

1986, the rate of infection is increasing at an alarming rate to

reach 5.17 million people by September 2006, with an adult prevalence

rate of 0.9 per cent. Considering the size of India's population,

even a decimal point increase in the nation's HIV prevalence would

add about half a million new individuals to the total HIV cases. We

cannot afford to ignore this imminent peril, when a large section of

people are highly vulnerable to such diseases due to high level of

poverty, ignorance, widespread gender discrimination and emerging

risky life-style.

3. The epidemic has created an inexplicable burden for so many

individuals, families and communities. A relief from this condition

requires improved health care, better access to anti-retroviral

treatment, and other essential medications, greater value-based

prevention efforts, more effective social outreach, and support for

those most vulnerable, particularly orphans. There have been indeed

commendable efforts both from the side of the Government and

religious and community organizations, though still it remains

inadequate to reach out to everyone. But there is another terrible

burden imposed by HIV and AIDS, which each and every one of us has

the capacity to relieve: the burden of HIV-related stigma.

4. It is totally unjustifiable and unacceptable that people living

with HIV are being denied basic rights such as medical care, food or

shelter, and dismissed from jobs they are perfectly fit to perform.

Some are shunned from their community, or most tragic of all, by

their own family. The isolation and lack of support it imposes,

deeply hurts those who suffer from it. It should hurt every one of

us, for it is an offense to our common humanity and basic dignity of

each individual, `created in the image and likeness of God' (Cf. Gen.

1:27). We recall the words of Blessed of Calcutta, who

said, " A person infected by HIV is Jesus among us. How can we say

`no' to Him? "

5. The impact of stigma can be as detrimental as the virus itself.

The fear of stigma leads to silence, and when it comes to fighting

AIDS, silence can result in tragic consequences. It suppresses public

discussion about AIDS, and deters people from finding out whether

they are infected. It can lead people -- whether a mother

breastfeeding her child or a sexual partner reluctant to disclose

their HIV status -- to the risk of transmitting HIV. They have to

hide themselves fearing unfavourable reaction from the public. Often

the self-imposed stigma and shame hold people back from getting

tested. Ignorance of one's status fuels the epidemic. It is

imperative that we break the walls of stigma and silence.

6. The HIV and AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India clearly

states that " we do not approve any sort of discrimination or

hostility directed against people living with HIV and AIDS, which is

unjust and immoral. " (p. 11) The compassionate God whom we believe

says, `I have seen the affliction of my people…and I have heard their

cry…I know their sufferings, and have come down to deliver them...!'

God's voice inspires us to live in solidarity and compassion with the

sick and the suffering, and do everything to comfort, strengthen and

empower them.

7. " I will be with you! " (Mt. 28:20) – These are the consoling words

of Jesus, as Emmanuel. This faith is our strength. It empowers the

sick. It encourages the care-givers. Going in line with the HIV and

AIDS Policy of the Church, let us make sure, that in our institutions

and programmes, " there will be no discrimination in matters of

admission and treatment of people living with or affected by HIV.

They will be treated with compassionate respect and with a non-

judgmental attitude. " (p. 33) Personnel in all departments will be

suitably trained and oriented to assist them.

8. We need to end the silence about HIV. Leaders of communities –

Bishops, priests, and lay faithful - and heads of families, need to

speak openly about HIV and AIDS in our gatherings and family get-

togethers so that people are properly informed about it and acquire

positive attitudes of respect and care for them. Programmes are to be

initiated in the parishes, schools, workplaces, etc., especially for

the youth, which will facilitate to create a generation better

equipped to live in the world of AIDS, which includes integrated

counseling and voluntary testing. In all our programmes we need to

assure the active participation and greater involvement of the people

living with HIV and AIDS. I appeal to everyone to make the best use

of the training programmes available, especially the study programmes

like, " HIV and Family Education " developed by the CBCI-IGNOU Chair on

Health and Social Welfare.

9. It is so encouraging to learn that the support groups and network

of people living with HIV, facilitated in some dioceses offer great

solace and strength to its members. Only by inter-personal

interaction and by eliminating stigma, we will be able to help people

have better access to care, treatment and positive living. We have to

reassure those who disclose their positive status that they can live

without fear, and also receive legal protection when they are at risk

of loosing adequate medical care, home and property, as it happens

sometimes. Obviously, these are basic human rights, which every

Christian is called to respect.

I earnestly request the Diocesan Social Service Departments and other

developmental agencies to create more job opportunities for people

living with HIV so that they may integrate themselves into the

mainstream of the community and live more dignified lives. Another

important concern is the education of the children living with HIV,

who are often marginalized in society. The General Body of the

Catholic Bishops' Conference of India stated in February this

year, " Those disadvantaged, socially, physically or intellectually,

will be specially assisted so that they can be integrated into the

educational system. We make this preferential option, even if

academic results suffer, in the process. All Catholic schools are

expected to participate in this project. " (CBCI, 27th General Body on

`Education and Concern for the Marginalized', Final Statement, Feb.

2006, p.8.3)

10. Pastoral care is at the heart of the Church's ministry for the

sick, which includes the sacramental assistance to the Catholic

patients. The compassionate spiritual care, given to people who are

going through difficult times, helps them to draw on the resources of

their faith and trust in God. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation one

will experience the merciful and life-giving love of God, and it will

transform the self-destructive feelings of guilt and fear into self-

confidence for a life of love and sharing. The Eucharist will nourish

us for fullness of life and will challenge us to bear witness to

Christ's sacrificial love. The Anointing of the Sick remains always

the Sacrament of strength, healing and wholeness. Moreover, it

reminds us of the never-ceasing mission of caring for the sick and

the suffering in all its various forms. The HIV pandemic presents

the Church in India with a challenge to become a genuine healing and

reconciling community, boldly bearing witness to the truth, which is

handed on through its teachings, yet unafraid to examine its own

practices, and revealing to the people of our day the compassionate

love of God.

11. The HIV crisis is of such great magnitude that its impact on

humanity cannot be tackled by any one single agency. We remember the

words of Pope II of happy memory, who said, " The battle

against AIDS ought to be everyone's battle! " Collaboration and

networking between all stakeholders, - Government, civil society

groups and people of other Faiths, are important without ignoring

ethical concerns and values. On January 6, 2007, we plan to launch

the Second Phase of the " Church's Concerted Response to HIV and

AIDS', bringing together our health and developmental organizations,

like the CBCI Commission for Health, Catholic Health Association of

India, Catholic Nurses Guild, Sister Doctors' Forum, Caritas-India,

Catholic Medical Mission Board, CRS, institutions like St 's

National Academy of Health Sciences and different Religious

Congregations. This Second Phase is aimed at the implementation of

the Policy recommendations, particularly to train more healthcare

personnel and community leaders, especially the youth.

12. Let us all join hands to contain the further spread of HIV and

its ravages on people. It is our commitment and our promise: to stop

AIDS! Advent is the season which brings hope to sustain all such

struggles of ours. Emmanuel, God-with-us sees the affliction of his

people, hears their cries, and knows their suffering and comes down

to liberate them. His liberative presence is experienced in and

through the community, in our solidarity with one another. I entrust

all those who are living with HIV and their care-givers to the

maternal love of , the mother of Jesus, model of unfailing hope

and cause of our joy. May the Babe of Bethlehem bring serenity and

strength to work for a human family where no one is discriminated

against, but everyone is accepted and respected as members of one

human family.

Yours in Jesus, the Divine Healer

+ Archbishop Bernard Moras,

Archbishop of Bangalore and

CBCI Centre, New Delhi Chairman, Commission for Healthcare

November 1, 2006 Catholic Bishops'

Conference of India

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For further information, for copies of the poster; Policy on HIV and

AIDS; Policy on Health and the Journal " Health in Abundance " , kindly

write to:

The Executive Secretary

Commission for Health

Tel. 011-23340774;23344470

CBCI Centre, Goledakkhana

Website: www.cbcisite.com

New Delhi-110 001

mail: cbciheal@...