Title: The importance of prevention to faith communities.

POPLINE Document Number: 314843

Author(s):

Kurian M

Source citation:

Contact, 2006 Aug;(182):2-3.

Abstract:

A s early as 1986 the Executive committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) stated: to confess that churches as institutions have been slow to speak and to act, - that many Christians have been quick to judge and condemn many of the people who have fallen prey to the disease; and that through their silence, many churches share responsibility for the fear that has swept our world more quickly than the virus itself "and called on the churches to respond appropriately to the need for pastoral care, education for prevention and social ministry" . In September 1996, a landmark, comprehensive statement, the Impact of HIV/AIDS and the Churches' Response, was adopted by the WCC Central Committee on the basis of the WCC Consultative Group on AIDS study process. The statement clearly states that: Churches can do much to promote, both in their own lives and in the wider society, a climate of sensitive, factual and open exploration of the ethical issues posed by the pandemic. ... in accordance with theiremphasis upon personal and communal responsibility the churches' can promote conditions -- personal, cultural, and socioeconomic -- which support persons in making responsible choices. This requires a degree of personal freedom which is not always available: for example, women, even within marriage, may not have the power to say "no" or to insist on the practice of such effective preventive measures such as abstinence, mutual fidelity and condom use. (excerpt)

Keywords:

Developing Countries
Critique
Evaluation
Faith-Based Organization
Religious Aspects
HIV Prevention
Christianity
UNAIDS
Fidelity
Organizations
Political Factors
Sociocultural Factors
Religion
HIV Infections
Viral Diseases
Diseases
UN
International Agencies
Sex Behavior
Behavior