Looking Back and Forward
The Church Remains a Sign of Hope
HIV and AIDS must continue as a ministerial priority
When HIV/AIDS was first identified in 1981, few would have predicted that
over 40 million people would be living with HIV and AIDS in 2007. Though
there is still not a cure, there has been major progress in halting the spread
and treating the effects of the disease, especially in the United States.
Yet, for many in our world, HIV and AIDS continue to destroy the lives of
individuals, families, and even entire towns and villages.
HIV/AIDS is a disease which causes disproportionate suffering in those among us who have the least. Poverty exacerbates the devastation as those who are afflicted cannot obtain needed medications or treatments, cannot fight the disease due to malnutrition, and cannot prevent transmission due to lack of education and resources. To these members of the human family and to all who suffer, the Church must be a sign of hope.
A distinct feature of HIV/AIDS which sets it apart from the other life-threatening diseases of our time is the stigmatization so many of those diagnosed with the disease feel. Despite large-large scale educational efforts, HIV/AIDS continues to be an illness shrouded in fear and misunderstanding. Paranoia about the spread of the disease on top of hurtful judgments about the way in which one has contracted the virus have alienated persons infected with HIV from their families, friends, employers, coworkers, and in some cases their faith communities, leaving them to face the uncertain future of the disease alone and afraid. It is here that we must be a Church of healing and compassion. All of our efforts must communicate a fundamental respect for the integrity of every human person. The National Catholic AIDS Network is one way in which the Church has responded to the HIV/AIDS crisis. With its current roots in the first national gathering of HIV/AIDS ministers at Notre Dame in 1988 through its period of transition in 2007, the Network has worked to coordinate information and resources, provide education and referrals, and to help parishes develop effective programs and services. Many individual parishes, dioceses, Catholic organizations, Catholic Health Care institutions and Catholic Charities agencies have made HIV/AIDS a priority in outreach and ministry efforts. Still, the immense nature of the problem calls for our continued attention and increasing effort if we are ever to bring about a meaningful approach which assures that everyone touched by this disease will experience hope and healing. With the transition to closure of the National Catholic AIDS Network, we have to be more creative in ensuring that HIV/AIDS continues to be a ministerial priority. I commend Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities USA, the Mexican American Cultural Center and the regional efforts in Washington, DC and the Southeastern United States for increasing their involvement and response to the reality of HIV/AIDS.
In the 1989 document, Called to Compassion and Responsibility: A Response to the HIV/AIDS Crisis, the bishops of the United States were explicit in addressing the obligation of the Church with regard to persons with AIDS. “We must keep them present to our consciousness, as individuals and a community, and embrace them with unconditional love. The Gospel demands reverence for life in all circumstances. Compassion — love — toward persons infected with HIV is the only authentic gospel response.” That is as true in 2007 as when our pastoral statement was written in 1989.
I have had the honor and privilege of serving as the Bishop Moderator for the National Catholic AIDS Network and am proud of the ministry of the board, staff and the many volunteers have exercised in the name of the Church to better the lives of those living with HIV and AIDS and their loved ones.
I pray for the wisdom and inspiration of the Holy Spirit to guide our ministry as we enter the next period of our Catholic response to HIV/AIDS.
With gratitude and every best wish, I am
Howard J. Hubbard
Bishop of Albany
Episcopal Moderator, National Catholic AIDS Network
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