Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) – To mark World AIDS Day on December 1 the President of the Health Commission of the Indian Bishops’ Conference Bishop Bernard Moras of Belgaum (Bangalore), issued a memorandum warning that if measures are not taken to monitor HIV/AIDS, by 2020 India could be the AIDS capital of the world. The Bishops lament the increasing number of cases in India: since 1987 no less than 4.5 million cases of infection have been registered.
“It is indispensable for the Church to care and support for those afflicted by this disease and promote AIDS prevention programmes. In fact in countries such as Great Britain, Uganda and Australia thanks to the work of the Catholic Church, other religious organizations and government bodies, the number of HIV cases has decreased considerably ”, said Bishop Moras.
The Bishops’ memorandum recalls that the Catholic Church provides 25% of all the care given to sufferers and that in India, hundreds of the 4,745 Catholic Health Institutes are involved in preventing and treating HIV/AIDS and 39 are dedicated exclusively to treating HIV persons. The Bishops call on the people to put into practice what the Pope says in the post synodal “Ecclesia in Africa”: to provide care, respect and all forms of moral and spiritual assistance to people with AIDS. (AP) (8/11/2003 Fides Service; lines: 22 words: 257)
