for health and justice, against HIV/AIDS

James, whose parents died from AIDS, lives with his maternal grandmother on a small farm in Kenya. Photo: Helen O’Regan rscj

James, whose parents died from AIDS, lives with his maternal grandmother on a small farm in Kenya. Photo: Helen O’Regan rscj In 1998 I was appointed Co-ordinator of AIDS Related Matters by the Archbishop of Southwark, whose diocese covers London south of the river Thames as well as a large part of South East England. It is a very multicultural, multiethnic area with high density housing and deprivation.

Inevitably, I have a fair amount of contact with gay and lesbian people who are affected by HIV/AIDS. In the 1980’s there were a number of deaths among gay men but the majority bare now able to receive treatment which brings them a better quality of life.

For some 15 years I have known Emma, a remarkable young woman who became infected as the result of a split condom. Her partner who she loved deeply knew he was infected but never told her. In order to avoid pregnancy they decided to use condoms- on one occasion she became infected. Emma talks in schools and to groups of young people explaining her situation and what it has done to her family; she and her mother have not spoken for several years as the latter considers Emma has disgraced her family by being open about her status  and appearing on TV, Young people say Emma has helped them to sort out their own decision making.

As a long standing member of the London Ecumenical AIDS Trust I have been made aware of the health problems affecting refugees and asylum seekers. They are often members of the “black led” churches which are autonomous. Some of the pastors in these churches persuade people with HIV not to take any treatment but to trust wholly in God and prayer, often with sad consequences for themselves and others.

The issue of HIV/AIDS is very complex and while it is a worldwide problem, it varies from country to country. Depending on circumstances there is often denial because if the stigma and rejection and its association with sex and drugs. The prevailing culture of experimentation and lack of commitment runs counter to the World Health Organisation’s dictum, “one partner for life”. In many parts of the world poverty leads to prostitution and male dominance gives women few, if any, rights over their own bodies, Condoms may help but will never be the complete answer for there will be many occasions when power and passion prevent their use, to say nothing of alcohol and their actual availability in third world countries. The church’s teaching on sex outside marriage is ridiculed by many but is one that carries a great deal of wisdom for health and long term happiness.

The ABC programme developed in Uganda has borne much fruit and is worth replicating elsewhere; Abstain if you can; Be faithful to one partner; use a Condom if neither A or B is possible. It is relevant where every sexually transmitted infection is concerned – all of them are on the increase. Where there is so much human suffering, so many orphans, with dire economic consequences in some parts of the world everything is worth trying in the fight against HIV/AIDS and a value education can play a very big part - education to give the facts and to promote health and justice.