April 2001

 

The global HIV/AIDS catastrophe

A global catastrophe is currently striking individuals, communities and nations.

Men carry a great responsibility. Women and young girls are particularly vulnerable. In Africa alone about ten million children have become orphans. Countries that were already losers in the economic and social development of the world community have been hardest hit.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is spreading throughout the world and within the churches. In Africa this is the most widespread catastrophe that has struck the continent in recent times. It is causing untold human suffering, and in some countries it is threatening the whole of society with collapse. The situation is also extremely serious in the Caribbean, in eastern Europe and in southeast Asia.

There are many reasons why the pandemic is spreading so quickly. Large groups of people are migrating in order to find work, or because of wars and conflicts. Many people do not know how the virus spreads or how to protect themselves against it. The use of condoms, which reduces the spread of HIV/AIDS, is often a taboo issue, and for a great number of people condoms are unavailable. Irresponsible sexual behaviour, suppressing the facts about the pandemic and social isolation of the people infected, all make the situation especially difficult.

In our own country, too, there is a lack of openness about the disease and HIV victims are also suffering from condemnation and exclusion. As fellow human beings in the church and in the community, each one of us is being challenged to examine our own attitudes.

For the church, it is important to keep to the principle that Christian charity commits us to support, not condemn, those who are suffering. We must help people who are infected with HIV to live openly in the community.

The Bishops' Conference welcomes the efforts which are being made by the public authorities in many countries to stop the spread of the pandemic. The international community has, for example through the UN and the WHO, taken on the challenge in a commendable way. Norway has a sizeable task, in terms of both economic resources and professional humanitarian expertise.

The Bishops' Conference welcomes the cooperation that has been established through the government's "Forum for aids and development", in which the church is represented along with the trade union movement, business and industry, NGOs, the media, research institutions, sport and culture, and which aims to change attitudes and to alleviate acute distress. In long-term strategies at the national and international levels, the church and other religious communities must accept their responsibility for dealing with the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The Bishops' Conference wishes to point to the following current challenges:

  • the need for more investment in the development of medicines and vaccines that the poor can afford

  • making treatment cheaper and more accessible

  • developing information and attitude-forming measures specifically aimed at children and young people

  • ensuring that the churches combat violence and sexual abuse

  • ensuring that the churches promote joint action across religions and philosophies of life.

During the television campaign this autumn for Norwegian Church Aid, everyone in Norway can acquire more knowledge about HIV/AIDS and can give money to the work the church is doing together with others in this field. The whole population is invited to join together to help. Every available means must be mobilized to give our fellow human beings who are smitten by, or in danger of being smitten by, HIV/AIDS hope for the future.

Together we can give them back their hope.

April 2001

 

The global HIV/AIDS catastrophe

A global catastrophe is currently striking individuals, communities and nations.

Men carry a great responsibility. Women and young girls are particularly vulnerable. In Africa alone about ten million children have become orphans. Countries that were already losers in the economic and social development of the world community have been hardest hit.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is spreading throughout the world and within the churches. In Africa this is the most widespread catastrophe that has struck the continent in recent times. It is causing untold human suffering, and in some countries it is threatening the whole of society with collapse. The situation is also extremely serious in the Caribbean, in eastern Europe and in southeast Asia.

There are many reasons why the pandemic is spreading so quickly. Large groups of people are migrating in order to find work, or because of wars and conflicts. Many people do not know how the virus spreads or how to protect themselves against it. The use of condoms, which reduces the spread of HIV/AIDS, is often a taboo issue, and for a great number of people condoms are unavailable. Irresponsible sexual behaviour, suppressing the facts about the pandemic and social isolation of the people infected, all make the situation especially difficult.

In our own country, too, there is a lack of openness about the disease and HIV victims are also suffering from condemnation and exclusion. As fellow human beings in the church and in the community, each one of us is being challenged to examine our own attitudes.

For the church, it is important to keep to the principle that Christian charity commits us to support, not condemn, those who are suffering. We must help people who are infected with HIV to live openly in the community.

The Bishops' Conference welcomes the efforts which are being made by the public authorities in many countries to stop the spread of the pandemic. The international community has, for example through the UN and the WHO, taken on the challenge in a commendable way. Norway has a sizeable task, in terms of both economic resources and professional humanitarian expertise.

The Bishops' Conference welcomes the cooperation that has been established through the government's "Forum for aids and development", in which the church is represented along with the trade union movement, business and industry, NGOs, the media, research institutions, sport and culture, and which aims to change attitudes and to alleviate acute distress. In long-term strategies at the national and international levels, the church and other religious communities must accept their responsibility for dealing with the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The Bishops' Conference wishes to point to the following current challenges:

  • the need for more investment in the development of medicines and vaccines that the poor can afford

  • making treatment cheaper and more accessible

  • developing information and attitude-forming measures specifically aimed at children and young people

  • ensuring that the churches combat violence and sexual abuse

  • ensuring that the churches promote joint action across religions and philosophies of life.

During the television campaign this autumn for Norwegian Church Aid, everyone in Norway can acquire more knowledge about HIV/AIDS and can give money to the work the church is doing together with others in this field. The whole population is invited to join together to help. Every available means must be mobilized to give our fellow human beings who are smitten by, or in danger of being smitten by, HIV/AIDS hope for the future.

Together we can give them back their hope.