Communique
The Province of Central Africa Bishops Retreat 

Malawi
13 - 14 July, 2004 

We the BISHOPS, Clergy and Laity of the Church of the Province of Central Africa who met at Kalikuti Hotel in Malawi starting from 13th to 14th July, 2004 at the Provincial BISHOPS Retreat commit ourselves to:

  1. play our part so that future generations will be born and live in a world free from AIDS.

  2. put in place strategies in prevention, counseling, care and support of orphans and other vulnerable children, Pastoral care, leadership, death and dying including lobbying and advocacy;

  3. unite and lead in the fight against HIV/AIDS;

  4. fight stigma and discrimination; 

We also acknowledge that we are not alone in the fight against HIV/AIDS, so we will complement the work of the Government, NGOs, FBOs, and not compete. As a Province, we pledge to:

  1. speak out regarding child abuse, especially the increasing levels of child defilement which contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS.

  2. continue to play the traditional and divine role of care and spiritual support, being proactive in Advocating preventive measures with absolute emphasis on abstinence and counseling;

  3. utilize our time, human and financial resources in the fight against all preventable diseases such as HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis. 

In this fight, we acknowledge the role of funders and donors and plead with them that the funds they give should not have crippling conditions, in particular, finances earmarked for the purchase of ARVs and the fight against HIV/AIDS. 

The Most Rev. Dr. B. A. Malango
ARCHBISHOP OF THE ANGLICAN PROVINCE OF CENTRAL AFRICA 

14th July, 2004