AFRICA/UGANDA - The Catholic Bishops of East Africa are convinced AIDS will be defeated, Africa must not lose hope

Friday, 17 June 2005

Kampala (Fides Service)- “We invite the Clergy, the Religious, the lay Faithful, governments and non-governmental agencies in Africa and beyond, and all people of good will, to join hands and work side by side with us to stop the plague, which is devastating the peoples of our region”. The Catholic Bishops of the AMECEA region of Africa (Eastern Africa) have launched a vibrant appeal to fight and overcome AIDS in Africa.
The appeal came at the end of the 15th AMECEA plenary assembly held in Uganda (see Fides 1 June 2005). “Having visited and interacted with the many institutions and communities dealing with HIV/AIDS in Uganda and in our respective countries, we appreciate the impressive efforts made by Episcopal Conferences, Dioceses, Parishes, Congregations and the Faithful in responding generously, often under difficult circumstances, to the challenges of HIV/AIDS.” The Bishops said.
The Bishops praise efforts by governments and institutions to encourage abstinence and fidelity to stop the spread of AIDS and to assist people with AIDS and said “in a very special way we appreciate the many families and communities which have taken holistic care of their sick members and those still doing so with much love and sacrifice. We also thank the families, which are taking care of orphans, widows and widowers, in a manner that is edifying and truly Christian.”
They stress the need to address the problems at the root of the spread of AIDS: poverty, greed and corruption, ignorance and illiteracy, unemployment, war and the presence of refugees and internally displaced persons, inequality between men and women, immoral behaviour, disrespect of children's rights, and negative traditional cultural practices. “All these factors - the Bishops said - have greatly increased the spread of HIV/AIDS, giving rise to prejudice, discrimination and stigma”.
In the meeting the Bishops also discussed the impact of globalisation, cancellation of debts, conflicts in Southern Sudan and Darfur and northern Uganda and tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
“As AMECEA Bishops we are very optimistic that Africa shall survive. We share our optimism with all our fellow citizens in AMECEA Region that Africa shall survive… This strong optimism comes from our Christian Faith .... We therefore reject and condemn any negative predictions about the future of Africa and any marginalization of Africa as a continent... May the God of Love protect you and give you more faith and hope to live positively and respond lovingly to His call” the Bishops concluded. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 17/6/2005 righe 37 parole 413)


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