December 1, 2008

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has recorded a video message to mark the 20th annual World AIDS day on December 1st 2008.

The video, available at http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/2049, sees the Archbishop talk about the Church's worldwide involvement in care and education surrounding HIV and AIDS, and calls for faith leaders to ‘encourage and support' what is being done by listening to those who work on the front lines.

He says "Our hope and our prayer today is that the excellent work that's done, not just in developing countries but here at home too by the Churches will continue and deepen and be strengthened by our prayer and our commitment."

"Recognising that people living with HIV is us not them, whether it's leaders and congregations, congregations and ‘outsiders' – it's us. It's all of our business...Church leaders and Church congregations taking responsibility for educating the wider public."

There are currently 30 million people worldwide living with HIV.

In the video Dr Williams speaks with:

• Winnie Sseruma – HIV Mainstreaming Coordinator, Christian Aid

• Angelina Namibia – Resource Leader, NAHIP and African HIV Policy Network

• Maureen Ndawana – Zimbabwe Womens Network UK

• Janet Murungi – Coordinator, Rise Community Action

If you would like to find out about some of the ways Anglican organisations are seeking to combat HIV and support and empower those living with HIV, please see the links below:

http://www.unaids.org/en/UNAids/.

Australian Board of Mission – Fighting For Life: STOPAIDS and the Anglican Church in PNG (video): http://video.google.com.au/videoplay?docid=5578337515661376887.

CHAA – The Christian HIV/AIDS Alliance – CHAA has initiated a Creed for the AIDS pandemic suitable to be read in church services for World AIDS day or any other occasion when the pandemic is remembered: http://www.chaa.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87&Itemid=55.

USPG-Projects: Action on HIV: http://www.uspg.org.uk/project.php?id=343.

Anglican Aids – Programme of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa: http://www.anglicanaids.org.za/.

See also:

http://www.anglicord.org.au/, AngliCORD.

http://www.er-d.org/, Episcopal Relief and Development.

http://www.pwrdf.org/, The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund.

http://www.christianaid.org.uk/world-aids-day/index.aspx, Christian Aid.

http://www.cms-uk.org/, CMS Britain.

http://www.cmsireland.org/, CMS Ireland.

Prayer
PRAY for greater awareness of HIV and AIDS,
For greater dignity and rights of people living with HIV and AIDS,
For more compassion and care,
For the rejection of discrimination and stigmatisation,
For wider prevention activities that address root causes of vulnerability,
For efficient mobilisation of resources and treatments,
For increased access to treatments and care,
For support for those left behind to grieve the loss of their loved ones,
For trust and hope in our God.
Lord hear our prayer.

Taken from: The Mothers' Union, Living Positively, "Prayers and Reflections."

Anglican Communion News Service, London