I thought I might have misread when I first saw this headline, but it's real... But where were all this people in March 2009 when the MSM and major governments in Europe ridiculed Benedict XVI and some Parliaments even censured him formally for speaking the simple obvious truth about fighting AIDS? That it can't be done by simply giving condoms to everyone?
UN and WHO thank the Church for commitment
to fight AIDS and help its victims in Africa
Translated from
August 28, 2012
In May 2011, the Pontifical Council for Ministry to Healthcare Workers sponsored an international Conference on "The Centrality of the Person in the Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS: Exploring the New Frontiers", with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone opening it.
One of the resource persons was Michael Sidibé, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and executive director of UN-AIDS, who was interviewed by Vatican Radio about some of the criticisms that have been directed at the Catholic Church because of her teaching against the use of condoms as a 'panacea for all evils' and which critics assail as being the Catholic anthem for the spread of AIDS among Africans.
Sibide responded: "I think there are vast areas [on the AIDS question] on which we [the UN] and the Church agree, and the disagreements are relatively few. I believe the Catholic Church is making enormous efforts to fight stigmatization and discrimination against HIV-infected persons. The communitarian Church activities she provides - which are also the most decentralized - directly reach families and give them information about how to prevent HIV transmission, how to protect themselves, and of course, they contribute to consolidate the concept of family which is even more indispensable among the poor".
On the other hand, Pope Benedict XVI continually appeals to the international community to provide free health care to AIDS patients.
The concreteness of the Catholic commitment in Africa is well exemplified by Sr. Miriam Duggan, originator of an innovative and effective program to combat AIDS in Uganda without the use of condoms, for which she has been awarded a prixe by both Harvard University and the University of Cork (Ireland).
Sibide also pointed out that the African countries with a majority Catholic population also have the lowest incidence of AIDS.
On another occasion, Mons. José L. Redrado Marchite, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Ministry to Healthcare Workers, pointed out that "In many places of sub-Saharan Africa, especially in the most remote regions where median income is at its lowest, the only places that are able to provide anti-retroviral therapies and to intervene in favor of AIDS vistims are the dispensaries and medical clinics belonging to Catholic congregations, orders and institutions, along with some non-government organizations of Christian inspiration".
All this was confirmed during sessions dedicated to "HIV, the forgotten epidemic" during the recent Meeting for Friendship among Peoples in Rimini. Leading international experts on the disease participated.
Carlo Federico Perno, professor of virology at the Università di Roma Tor Vergata, reiterated the extreme necessity to fight this difficult battle through changing attitudes towards sex, and not so much by massiv e reliance on 'technical' solutions.
Towards the end of the sessions, the contribution of the CAtholic Church to the fight against AIDS was presented through
the work of faith-based organizations.
Alberto Piatti, Secretary General of an anti-HIV foundation and moderator of the sessions, cited statistics which show that more than 50% of primary health services in Africa are provided by missionary hospitals, but despite this, the Global Fund for fighting diseases has given the faith-based organization since 2002 only %541 million of the total $22.6 billion that it has distributed.
Paul De Lay, executive director of UN-AIDS, spoke about collaborating with Caritas, saying "The confessional communities and religion have a most important role beyond providing services. They represent the sources of so much prevention, assistance and support services. I think it is important to underscore this role of religion in the life of the peoples affected by the epidemic". He too underscored their role in taking away the stigma and discrimination originally directed against AIDS patients and their families.
He added that AIDS is not just a health issue nor can it be treated only as a health issue. Rather, that "faith and religious organizations come into play. Community-based treatment models are much more effective than those based only on a purely health-oriented approach".
The World Health Organization's regional director for Africa, Luis Gomes Sambo, "acknowledged and strongly appreciated the role and commitment of the Pontifical Council for Ministry to Healthcare Workers and the Church's entire network of healthcare services in Africa, which have carried out preventive and treatment services for HIV patients and, above all, in showing compassion for those who were struck and who suffered".
But why such commitment on the part of Catholics, Dr. Piatti asked as he ended the session. "Because they wish to respond to the needs of these individuals, recognizing in each of them, as we do in our own selves, the innate dignity' man has as a creature of God".
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 31/08/2012 04:43]