by J M Rosenthal

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Revd Canon John L Peterson, in his quarterly column in the Anglican World magazine, spoke of the recent All-Africa Anglican AIDS Workshop and the powerful response that came to the workshops findings. He said,

"The journey has begun. Some will say that we have waited too long, but thanks be to God for the courageous leaders of the Anglican Churches in Africa who have spoken. I pray that we will all hear their voice and that we too, with the same courage, will move forward to help eradicate, or at least in the words of the Archbishop of Capetown, "ultimately, we must achieve a generation without AIDS"

Individual churches can serve the community by becoming places where those who live with HIV/AIDS and, indeed, those who have died of AIDS related diseases can be remembered in appropriate ways. The notion of stigma and ignorance about HIV/AIDS can only be conquered when they are confronted openly by the community.

The church calendar provides us with two opportunities to focus on HIV/AIDS related situations. Indeed, the wider world has acknowledged December 1st as World AIDS Day. This day is usually commemorated by people wearing red ribbons and by ceremonies or gatherings in community halls, public places and, indeed, houses of worship. This is one way the church can respond to the needs of the community by opening its doors for such an event. World AIDS Day is about education awareness and remembering.

Within a church community it is often helpful to focus on our own faith and our response to crises like HIV/AIDS. In some places even those who have died of AIDS are separated from others and horrific stories of churches refusing to bury people who have, have been made known to us in the African workshop. The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, November 2nd, commonly named All Souls Day, is an appropriate time to remember those who have died and to place their names rightly with others in the community that have died during the past year. This is a powerful expression of community remembrance and it is important that no one be left out.

In the Diocese of New York the AIDS Action International observe St Nicholas Day as a time to gather gifts and to join together in a celebration of the season, with an emphasis on the hopes of providing a bit of holiday cheer for those who are living with HIV/AIDS. This is an admirable way to include a Christian theme in such community observances. Even the local police help distribute the gifts.

Increasingly numbers of churches and cathedrals are allowing our specially designated places or chapels to remember those who have died of HIV/AIDS. This does not diminish the need to remember those who have lived faithful lives and have died of many, many causes but the stigma that is so evident in so many communities with AIDS demands our attention in this special way.

The Chapel of St Andrew in Southwark Anglican Cathedral in South London is one example of an appropriate place where those affected by AIDS are prayed for. The Cathedral church of St John the Divine in New York has a designated chapel as does St George's Cathedral in Capetown, South Africa.

The Episcopal Church in the USA has for many years been providing pastoral care for people with HIV/AIDS. Many hands-on organisations with many volunteers have also provided human resource services to people in many parts of the USA and beyond. The National Episcopal AIDS Coalition (NEAC) is one such organisation and in England the work of CARA has been outstanding.

The Archbishop of Canterbury and Mrs Carey have visited many AIDS related projects in hospitals on their visits to the Communion. A very poignant was made in Montevideo in Uruguay where two deacons minister daily to a whole ward of patients living with AIDS and their family and friends.

The Archbishop of Capetown, the Most Revd Njongonkulu Ndungane said that AIDS needed to be brought clearly into focus in our church life. He said,

"I am asking you to accept a challenge to action starting right now, at this holy moment and in fellowship with your sisters and brothers that have worked and prayed so diligently over these last few days. Yes, a challenge to action now, no delays, no excuses, no turning back. We are marching in the light of God and nothing can stop us."

He then said,

"There may be hurdles; yes, but stamina, tolerance and understanding will lead us on to our goal. The road is long but I believe the people of God, in response to the need of the people of God, will enable a reduction of this pandemic to a manageable disease. As one of the partners groups' said, "There is an hour of decision, it is truly Hope Reborn."."

[Jim Rosenthal was Communication Director for the All Afrcia Anglican AIDS Workshop. He is an appointed missionary of the Episcopal Church USA and lives in Canterbury. He is editor of ACNS.]