Church not given prominence in Barcelona

No main session was devoted to the role of the church or faith-based organisations at Barcelona 2002, says Dr Lucy Steinitz of the Catholic AIDS Association in Namibia. She was speaking during a press conference and launch of the 10-chapter book, "Journeys of Faith", co-authored by her and three others, Glen Williams, Canon Gideon Byamugisha and Phumzile Zondi.

"Journeys of Faith" examines church-based responses to HIV and AIDS in three southern African countries. In Africa, about 80% of the population trusts the church and turn to its leaders in times of crisis. Therefore, church organisations are concerned with putting a human face in the AIDS issue since they provide the guidance for moral virtues, said Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane.

This could be done using a participatory approach with the church and government as partners. Such partnerships, Steinitz says, have helped to convince young people to delay sexual activities in some southern African countries.

However, the church has to tackle misconceptions, which Rev Byamugisha admits has not helped in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Such misconceptions include the belief that when one has faith in Jesus, one will not have HIV. Byamugisha himself tested HIV-positive in 1992. "I have Jesus, but I have AIDS," he said. He added that the church needed to focus on young girls in order to have a future without AIDS. Also, he said, the church should focus on children so they can have a future. "They must be informed about responsible living."

In achieving its aims of fighting HIV and AIDS, the church has challenges. According to Byamugisha, "the church is still guilty of stigma and stigma brings fear. Church leaders should not be judgemental, but should apply the three letters TLC - Tender Loving Care - in dealing with people with AIDS."

Many church leaders are accused of giving false hope to those of their members who are living with AIDS by telling them that God will cure them. Byamugisha says: "The clergy who put out 'instant cure now' to all cases of HIV infection are ignorant. Such leaders have just the Bible as a text-book - they need to be educated."

Delegates felt that Thailand must succeed where Barcelona is seen to have failed. This will be ensured by bringing faith-based organisations to the foreground in HIV and AIDS matters. The time to plan is now.