Presbyterians join religious leaders committing for action on AIDS

VIENNA — At the 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna, in the middle of thousands of AIDS researchers and activists from around the world, religious leaders reaffirmed their pledge to fight stigma and discrimination, promote effective prevention and insure quality treatment and care for those living with HIV and AIDS.

The Rev. Dr. Richard Fee, General Secretary of the Life and Mission Agency of The Presbyterian Church in Canada, was among the religious leaders calling for action. “This personal commitment calls for stronger, more visible and practical leadership in the response to HIV and AIDS. How are we able to live up to our promises of what needs to be done?” asked Fee.

The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, a network of churches and church groups working together around issues of HIV and AIDS, used the Vienna conference to collect more signatures on a document first signed at a meeting of high level religious leaders in March in the Netherlands. It calls for a personal commitment “to work tirelessly to end all stigmatizing attitudes and actions” that might block the full inclusion of HIV-positive people in faith communities. Signed by Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Baha’i and Sikh leaders, it includes specific commitments to people living with HIV, women and girls, children and youth.

Michel Sidibé, the executive director of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), said the religious leaders’ statement strengthened the global response to HIV and AIDS. “This commitment by faith leaders can break down the wall of stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV,” said Mr Sidibé. “These leaders can restore the dignity and respect of communities affected by AIDS.”

My personal commitment to action with signatures is available at: www.HIVcommitment.net