December 18, 2007

WASHINGTON – The Rev. Richard H. Graham, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod, joined with other faith leaders and government officials on Capitol Hill Dec. 13 in advocating for robust funding and improved policies in the reauthorization of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

PEPFAR is due to expire in 2008 and discussions are under way regarding its reauthorization. Lutherans worldwide have been responding to HIV and AIDS in the world actively through advocacy and prevention education, treatment and care for children and families most affected by the disease.

"Twenty-five years into the world's most devastating health pandemic we must ask ourselves, what does the ministry of reconciliation mean to our communities throughout the world that have been devastated by HIV and AIDS?" said Graham. "What does it mean to the millions of people throughout the world infected and affected by this disease who are longing for the advent of comprehensive prevention, treatment and care? What does it mean to those who are still discriminated against and stigmatized because of AIDS?"

Other leaders included Kay Warren, Saddleback Church Lake Forest, Calif.; Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN); Ambassador Mark Dybul, U.S. global AIDS coordinator; the Rev. John R. Schol, bishop of the Washington Area of The United Methodist Church; Richard Cizik, National Association of Evangelicals; Robert Zachritz, World Vision; Anita Smith, Children's AIDS Fund; and, Ken Hackett, Catholic Relief Services.

As it considers the PEPFAR reauthorization, religious leaders urge Congress to:

• Support the funding of $50 billion over the next five years, with at least 10 percent dedicated to addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children through integrated community programs

• Increase flexibility for implementation of comprehensive prevention, treatment and care programs that empower local communities

• Increase funding to train and help sustain the number of health care workers and volunteers while strengthening the infrastructure of health systems

The ELCA supports the above goals, according to Kim Stietz, director for international policy, ELCA Washington Office.

The ELCA is in the process of developing an HIV and AIDS strategy requested by the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The strategy is slated to be presented to the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

ELCA News Service