Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Karen (Agenzia Fides) – On the occasion of the upcoming World AIDS Day, which will be celebrated throughout the world on December 1, Father Fratern Masawe, Jesuit and moderator of JESAM, the Conference of Major Superiors of Africa and Madagascar, sent a message to all Jesuits of the African continent, along with a copy that was sent to Agenzia Fides.
According to Fr. Masawe, “learning to face AIDS as a family,” should be the first step in avoiding condemnation, exclusion, or treatment of the patient as “as good as dead” and show them that they belonging to God's family means acting as Jesus has shown us.” This disease, the Jesuit said, cannot be faced merely as a medical/pharmaceutical problem or a change in human behavior, because it is “truly an issue of integral development and justice, which requires a holistic approach and response by the Church.”
Fr. Masawe recalled that we should not be afraid or discouraged by “the enormity of the problems of our continent among which HIV and AIDS. It is part of life and will be for a long time to come. As a great family, we face the challenge confidently...AIDS is a pandemic, together with malaria and tuberculosis, which is decimating African populations and severely damaging their economic and social life.” In addition, in reference to sexual behavior, he says “the Church's understanding of sexuality is often scorned for being rigid, unrealistic or moralistic...Abstinence and fidelity are not only the best ways to avoid HIV and tackle AIDS, but are the path to real, personal fulfilment.” There are other factors such as poverty, hunger, war and forced displacement, domestic violence and the sex trade, which favor the spread of the virus among thousands of people.
There are many Church programs that offer aid, food, and support to AIDS patients. “The aim is to live like a family: to respect the dignity and life of each one, to show solidarity with anyone in need.” The message concludes: “Like Jesus, Mary and Joseph in the Holy Family, so the Church-Family of God in Africa knows her sons and daughters, their needs, strengths and weaknesses, fears and hopes. She manifests this loving knowledge in her familiar ways of preventing HIV and caring for the sick and for those affected by AIDS, working for reconciliation, justice and peace. With the Synod, JESAM thanks all those who are generously involved in this difficult apostolate of love and care.” (AP) (Agenzia Fides 26/11/2009)
