| Rome (Fides Service)- The Catholic Church’s commitment to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa and assist those suffering from the terrible scourge was confirmed once again by SECAM Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) in plenary session, Dakar, Senegal, (SECAM)) in a message “Our prayer is always full of hope”, released today, 1 December, World Day Against AIDS. The message was prepared during a Seminar “Leading the Church Family of God in Africa, in the era of AIDS” during the 13th general assembly of SECAM Dakar 30 September 13 October 2003.
In a note presenting the statement SECAM Secretary General writes “since 1987, Catholic Bishops in Africa have addressed 60 times the problem of spreading AIDS and HIV but this is the first time that they speak openly as a Symposium on the difficult question of the AIDS pandemic. The message is issued on behalf of more than 600 Catholic Bishops on this continent”.
The message underlines the danger of AIDS and in a working plan it offers 20 objectives and ways which the Church can adopt to fight AIDS. The Bishops are committed to putting Church resources to fight AIDS and they renew their determination to offer youth correct sexual and affective education. They lament poverty and violence among the main causes for the spread of the disease. Offering solidarity to those “towards all who suffer, but especially towards you our Christian brothers and sisters, who are one single body, with millions who make up the communities of Africa and Madagascar. It is on you that we call to join together in confronting the pandemic whose gravity no one can ignore.” The Bishops say “the morality we teach in God’s name seeks to respect and affirm human life which gets its value and dignity from the fact that it is the inviolable gift from our Father who creates every human being and calls everyone to the fullness of life. Therefore abstinence and fidelity are not only the best way to avoid becoming infected by HIV or infecting others, but even more are they the best way of ensuring progress towards lifelong happiness and true fulfilment.” (L.M.) (Fides Service 1/12/2003 lines 33 words 415)
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