Church Leaders Discuss HIV/AIDS

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Wednesday, 13 February 2013 02:30

By press release

Antigua St. John's - Policy makers, regional HIV/AIDS experts, animators, and representatives from Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) huddled on Monday at the Jolly Beach Resort & Spa to strike mutual grounds on which stakeholders could partner to overcome the challenges in executing the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

This high-level discussion, which centered on “the role of the church in getting to zero new infections in Antigua,” was part of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Alliance country and regional commitments in tackling the structural barriers to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services, especially for those most vulnerable.

Senator Malaka Parker, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Health, Social Transformation, Consumer Affairs & Local Government, stressed the critical nature of forging strategic partnerships at this level to bridge gaps and restore societal value.

At Monday’s discussion, Parker said “this set the stage for a renewed and dynamic approach in getting to zero new infections in Antigua & Barbuda. I must commend CHAA, for widening the scope, to ensure that broad –based dialogues are held, which are fundamental for the formulation of policies, action plan and various strategies to protect and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDs, among vulnerable groups.”

Parker also concurred that the development community and non-health government ministries need to play a bigger part in changing the aspects of social, economic, and political systems that drive HIV epidemics.

“Churches play a major role in societal development. The church is a major partner in fighting the challenges that HIV/AIDS present. Moreover, the churches’ mandate is already focussed in addressing many of the social, economic, inequitable situations, which are known to be the conditions in which many of the vulnerable groups may face,” Parker noted, as she urged civil society and church to join forces in the shared commitment.

With the advancement of a sustainable approach, Parker welcomed new programming initiatives for key populations and Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV/AIDS), strengthened advocacy by stakeholders, and the shaping of policies to address specific structural barriers.
 

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The CHAA reported that many countries, particularly in the Eastern Caribbean, face significant barriers associated with the social, economic, and political issues that increase people’s vulnerability to HIV, such as weak policy and legislative environments; gender inequalities; stigma and discrimination; and religious dogmas and religious fundamentalists.  These structural barriers all limit achievement of this global universal access mandate and exacerbate the impact of AIDS.

Meanwhile, Most Rev Kenneth D Richards, in his contribution, expanded on the role of the church and the UNAIDS campaign. He exclaimed that the Church has an urgent duty to proclaim with the fire, charity, and zeal of the early Church, the Good News of Salvation, because the remedies of our societal problems reside in this Good News.

In agreement, with the other religious minister’s present, he emphasized that In the face of this reality, “the Church cannot be satisfied with supporting a programme aimed at behaviour change that concentrates on condom use and faithfulness to one sexual partner.”

Rev Richards therefore suggested that “the focus of such programme is geared at managing fallout of irresponsible and dangerous sexual behaviour. But, advocating a programme aimed at promoting abstinence must be practical and creative.”

Further, he said the Church’s role cannot exclude concern for the salvation of individuals and adherence to the Biblical precepts of the faith allegiance. He called for serious commitment for attaining zero rates in HIV/AIDS transmission, to restore the value of sexual abstinence and sexual responsibility.

Other presentations captured the Situation Analysis on HIV in Antigua – gaps and challenges, the needs of Most at Risk Populations and what it means in the Caribbean, the Achievement of the Caribbean Conferences of Churches in the HIV Responses – with focus on Antigua, and the importance of the church in HIV/AIDS.

Officials making presentations include, CHAA Chief of Party Dr Denise Chevannes, Sonia Joseph Deputy Programme Officer at the AIDS Secretariat in the Ministry of Health and Evelyn Smitten and Karen Brotherson.

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