Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) – Through its Social Pastoral Ministry Committee (CEPS), the Mexican Bishops’ Commission (CEM) has supported the participation of the Catholic Church in the 17th International Conference on HIV and AIDS, set to take place in Mexico City, August 3-8. The International Conferences on AIDS have been celebrated every two years and gather a crowd of over 20,000 health professionals, scientists, government representatives, journalists, activists, leaders, and business professionals who live with HIV and AIDS, as well as religious leaders and representatives. The Conferences offer many opportunities for sharing testimonies and establishing contacts on all levels, in regards to the epidemic and a response to it. There will also be new important scientific advancements presented and discussions focused on the main challenges in responding to AIDS.
Recalling that abstinence and fidelity are two key points in the fight against HIV, the Mexican Bishops have acknowledge the great effort being made on the part of many medical teams in caring for the millions of patients. In this sense, in collaboration with the Bishops’ Committee for Media Pastoral Ministry, the CEPS has wished to Catholic Church’s commitment to these patients. “In our very identity as CEPS, we work to promote, strengthen, and accompany members of the Church and society, so that the social dimension of the faith may be present in the Church’s task of evangelization,” one of their statements read. Thus, they insist that “the Catholic Church’s position in support of abstinence and fidelity, and its effort to care for the millions of AIDS patients in the world, are a very valuable contribution in defending life and health for so many human beings in need of brotherly support, which is at the basis of any social justice.”
The Catholic Church in Mexico is also carrying out the campaign entitled, “Esperanza de Vihda” (Hope for Life...Note: The word “vida” is spelled “Vihda,” as VIH are the initials for HIV in Spanish.), in collaboration with the Episcopal Commissions for Health, Youth, and Family Ministry, to contribute in fighting against marginalization and discrimination of the illness. This campaign is primarily geared towards the Church itself, to stimulate a greater number of initiatives in solidarity with these HIV and AIDS patients. The Church can contribute in this area, thanks to her long historical tradition of compassion and solidarity. She can continue in her firm and exemplary work of defending the rights and dignity of those infected with the virus. The “Hope for Life” Project is especially geared towards those working in Social Pastoral Ministry and representatives of the Permanent Council of Caritas Internationalis, those involved in the project’s development within their own dioceses and parishes, carriers of the HIV virus/AIDS and their families, and young people. Lastly, it is directed toward society itself, that it may grow in the awareness that we live in a “world with HIV/AIDS” and it affects us all. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 28/7/2008)
