The following is the full text of the message: Theme: “Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise,”
Our Promises Build Our Life and Our World

My dear sisters and brothers,
1. Today, India has many concerns and challenges. Of them, one of the most alarming concerns is the rapid rate of increase in the number of infected persons across the country. One would recall that the first case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was detected in India in 1986. But, within 20 years, as per figures given by the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), the number has crossed 5.1 million. The psychological pain and personal struggle the persons living with HIV and their dear ones, are constrained to suffer is indeed unimaginable! If the infection rate continues at the present pace, its impact on families, communities and the nation will be deplorable.
As the Chairman of the Health Commission of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, please allow me to reflect with you on the theme of this year's World AIDS Campaign (WAC): “Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise”. With the background of the recently launched `HIV/AIDS Policy of the Catholic Church in India: Commitment to Compassion and Care`, allow me to remind each of you about the need to observe the World AIDS Day on December 1, or Sunday, Dec. 4, as 'The AIDS Sunday', and plan appropriate programs to curb the further spread of HIV/AIDS in our country.
2. The experience of over two decades in fighting HIV/AIDS has obliged the Church in India to develop the Policy on HIV/AIDS in order to effectively address the challenges posed by the pandemic. After wide consultation and a long formulation process, and with the approval by the CBCI Standing Committee, the HIV/AIDS Policy, together with the revised Health Policy, 'Sharing the Fullness of Life', was officially released on 31st August of this year. The Policy has been developed on the foundation of Gospel values, teachings of the Church, the current social scenario, scientific facts and research in contemporary realities. It reaffirms the commitment of everyone in the community to fight HIV/AIDS. The Policy implies 'a promise' of the Catholic Church in India. The challenge before us is 'to keep this promise'! Every Catholic individual and institution working in the health, development, education, research and spiritual fields, all associations, commissions and ministries in the Church, each diocese, parish, religious congregation, every priest, religious and faithful should consider it a mission `to keep this promise' and thus prevent the spread of the AIDS menace and alleviate the suffering of those living with the virus.
3. “Keep the Promise” applies to both individual and collective efforts for prevention of the pandemic. On 10 June, this year, while addressing the bishops of sub-Saharan Africa, Pope Benedict XVI said, “I urge you to continue your efforts to fight this virus, which not only kills but seriously threatens the economic and social stability of the continent. The Catholic Church has always been in the forefront, both in prevention and in treatment of this illness.” (L'Osservatore Romano, June 15, 2005, p. 3). Here in India, it is encouraging to see that many dioceses and congregations have pioneered in the task of addressing the issues related to HIV/AIDS. Most of the Catholic healthcare institutions are in one way or the other active in responding to HIV/AIDS, particularly those 70 institutions of the Church dedicated fully to those abandoned and helpless people living with HIV/AIDS.
4. Various national health associations like the Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI), the Catholic Nurses Guild (CNGI), the Sister Doctors Forum of India (SDFI), national institutions like St. John's, Bangalore, and development agencies like Caritas India, the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Indo-Global Social Service Society (IGSSS), etc. have contributed much to the Church's concerted response. The initiative of the CBCI Health Commission in establishing a Chair at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and starting programs of study on 'HIV and Family Education', along with a Bachelor's degree programme in Social Work, has been of benefit to many in the field. Yet, we need to scale up our efforts.
5. HIV/AIDS is an epidemic that can and should be prevented, since the spread of the virus is only through certain well defined routes. Existing knowledge based on scientific facts shows that the virus spreads mainly through three specific routes - sexual transmission, blood and blood products and from mother to child. The data on routes of transmission in India shows that about 85.5% of infections are through sexual relationships, mainly heterosexual. Pope Benedict XVI, the pastor of the universal Church, reminds us that, “the traditional teaching of the Church has proved to be the only failsafe way to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. For this reason, the companionship, joy, happiness and peace which Christian marriage and fidelity provide, and the safeguard which chastity gives, must be continuously presented to the faithful, particularly to the youth” (Ibid).
6. As the HIV/AIDS Policy states, “The Church, recognizing its major role in shaping the personality of individuals and celebrating the fullness of life, will make efficient use of its network to provide preventive education to all, especially the youth and those vulnerable, so that they can make informed, responsible and meaningful choices in their life.” (HIV Policy, p. 13). “Age, gender and context specific communication programs” (p. 49) and “continued and sustained campaigns like the signing of pledges of abstinence until marriage by youth will be organized by educational institutions, parishes and communities” (p. 16). “The message of `being faithful' to the spouse will be communicated on occasions like marriage preparation courses, homilies, instructions and marriage encounter groups” (p. 17). The true education in the values of life, love and sexuality will enable one 'to keep the promise' and experience the joy and fullness of life.
7. 'Keep the Promise' implies faithfulness to the mandate given by the Lord `to heal and to serve'. The care, compassion and love towards those living with HIV/AIDS and their family members are genuine expressions of one's faith. St Paul beautifully describing such sentiments says, “If one member suffers, all suffer together, if one member is honored, all rejoice together” (1Cor.12:26). There still seems hesitancy in some hospitals and educational institutions to admit people living with HIV and their children. May I strongly appeal to express our commitment courageously with whatever consequences, by admitting people living with HIV/AIDS and their dear ones in our health, education and social institutions! Any contrary attitude and action is to be condemned since it is “at variance with the nature of the Church as one integral, continuous and compassionate unity” (Health Policy, p. 9), and therefore certainly not worthy to be labeled a Christian institution. Jesus not only touched and healed the sick, but he transformed their lives as well as the lives of those who first rejected his mission. For this he had to suffer. He had to die on the cross. But, he became victorious. The same mission has to continue today.
8. “Keep the Promise” is an appeal to governments to ensure they meet the targets they have set to fight against HIV and AIDS. In June 2001, the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment was signed by the governments of 189 countries and they committed themselves to taking action on HIV and AIDS in the fields of leadership, prevention, care and support, treatment, reducing vulnerability, and human rights (www.avert.org). The Church must play a pro-active role through advocacy, both within the community, with the Government and other agencies at all levels to fulfil the promises. (cf.Hiv Policy, p. 46). The Church will encourage the management of healthcare institutions to organize advocacy programs for the staff so that people living with HIV are not discriminated against, stigmatized or denied services (p. 47).
9. `Keep the Promise' reminds one of the need for 'positive living' when one is diagnosed with the HIV infection. Positive living starts with the acceptance of the disease in a positive environment, by avoiding anger, resentment, blame and similar hostile feelings. Living positively with HIV/AIDS means spending quality time with family and friends and contributing whatever one can for the benefit of one's self, one's family and society as a whole. Active involvement in networks of people living with HIV/AIDS and support groups, and above all the total submission of oneself to God in true faith, will enable one to experience the liberating presence of God. One will all the more be strengthened by the abiding love of Jesus, the 'Man of hope in the midst of pain' by the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.
10. Let us 'keep the promise' to stop AIDS, to do away with all sorts of stigma and discrimination. I entrust all those who are living with HIV/AIDS and their care-givers to the powerful intercession and maternal care of Mary, Mother of Jesus, model of unfailing hope and cause of our joy. May the light of the Babe of Bethlehem remove all shadows of despair and darkness and strengthen us in keeping our promises in our commitment to one another.
Yours in Jesus, the Divine Healer,
Archbishop Bernard Moras
Archbishop of Bangalore and
Chairman, CBCI Commission for Health