Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea Diocese of Port Moresby

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

HIV/AIDS is on the increase and threatens to destroy the very fabric of our society. Worldwide the death toll from the disease is measured in tens of millions. If we ignore this fact then our lives and the lives of our children will be blighted for centuries to come. It is the biggest threat to our nation there has ever been, more devastating than any war or natural disaster.

However, we still have a choice. We can defeat it, but we have to act now. We have three weapons we can use against this enemy; Knowledge, Compassion and Commitment.

1. Knowledge – If we know how the Virus (HIV) is contracted we can take precautions against it. Catching the virus leads to AIDS a condition that will eventually kill. We need to understand that. The information is available. Anglicare StopAIDS is dedicated to making information available and the National AIDS Council exists for that purpose. We have only to ask and we will be told.
   
2. Compassion – Those who are already infected with HIV, we call them HIV-Positive people, need help if they are to live with their condition. Understanding and caring for people is our Christian duty, and failing to show that compassion is a rejection of Christ himself. Apart from those infected by HIV, many more are affected. The families, the friends and the communities of those who have contracted the disease all need our help. We are seeing parentless children on our streets already as a result of HIV and AIDS. Soon all of us will be affected in some way because people we love may have the illness. Excluding and judging those who are HIV-Positive is not an option for any follower of Christ.
   
3. Commitment – Marriage in Christian understanding is about lifelong faithfulness to one partner. It is mutual. Both husband and wife are required be faithful. As Christians we should not be ashamed to uphold that principle, in preaching and practice. Faithfulness in marriage has an important place in the battle against HIV/AIDS. For single people too, commitment to Christian standards of sexual morality is very important. Sex without commitment is not only immoral it is dangerous. All of us must be committed to beating HIV/AIDS. There is no room for faint-heartedness or wishful thinking. We can beat this disease. It will not be easy but we can do it IF, but only if, we care enough.

The Christian Church must lead the way. People listen to us. They watch how we behave. We can help to overcome discrimination and stigma against HIV-Positive people. We can alert people to the dangers of unsafe sexual practices. We have a long history of caring for those who suffer. But what if we fail to take the situation seriously? How will we ever face Jesus on the day of judgment?

The time has come for us to strike another blow in the battle against HIV and AIDS.

I call on every Anglican Church to become a RED RIBBON CHURCH.

WHAT IS A RED RIBBON CHURCH?

The Red Ribbon has become the international symbol of care and concern for those suffering from HIV and AIDS. It transcends differences of race, creed and colour. All of us may be proud to wear it, but let us go one step further.

1. I call on every Church in my Diocese to display the Red Ribbon on their Notice Boards, outside and inside the church building, to show that our Church cares about HIV/AIDS and intends to fight it.
   

I call on every church to become;-
• A Centre of Information about HIV and AIDS,
• A Centre of Education about HIV and AIDS,
• A Centre of Support for people living with HIV and AIDS,
• A Centre of Healing.

In practical terms, what will this mean?

1. Each Church a Centre of Information. Every Church should have leaflets, posters and books available at the back of the building where people can have easy access to information about HIV and AIDS. We should encourage old and young people alike to learn the facts about this killer disease.
   Materials are readily available through Anglicare (Telephone: 325 1855) or ask Diocesan Office (Telephone: 323 2489).
   
2. Each Church a Centre of Education. Every congregation should include one or two people who have gone through one of the training courses run by Anglicare and the National AIDS Council. These will be able to help others learn more. Church Councils should make room on the Agenda to discuss ways in which their congregation can address HIV/AIDS related problems.
   
3. Each Church a Centre of Support. There should be one or more in the congregation who have trained as HIV/AIDS Counsellors. The Parish Priest should already have given a lead in this and become a trained Counsellor. The availability of people qualified to give counselling will be advertised on the Notice Board. Perhaps a Drop-In Centre can be started at the Church to make HIV-Positive people and others welcome, and give them ‘time out’ from their problems.
   
4. Each Church a Centre of Healing. There is no cure for HIV and AIDS, but the Church’s ministry of Healing is much more than mere physical healing. Acceptance of people for who they are, sympathetic listening to other people’s problems, and the strengthening power of the Sacraments are all part of Healing. Many HIV-Positive people have found strength through the Eucharist and Anointing. There are things we can do to ease the physical problems of an HIV/AIDS sufferer, and each church should think about what its members can do. Even a friendly visit to someone in hospital or at home can make a big difference. We have doctors, nurses and others in our congregations who can give us help with this.

This is the challenge to the Diocese of Port Moresby. It is issued on the Feast of Our Lord’s Resurrection. Christ is Risen. He is Alive. The evidence of His Resurrection is the Church, His Body on Earth. Let us proclaim our Living Lord, by showing to the World a Living Compassion.

Yours in Christ,

Bishop of Port Moresby.