News Archives » HIV/AIDS

World AIDS Day 2009 – Focus on Universal Access and Human Rights November 24th, 2009

December 1st each year is World AIDS Day. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV. The global HIV/AIDS pandemic is a major health and development issue. AIDS also continues to present pastoral challenges to the Church. Missionary Oblates in South Africa are regularly working directly with and supporting people living with HIV/AIDS.

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Oblate Superior General’s Meditation: The African Synod – “A breath of fresh air” November 10th, 2009

The Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops took place in Rome on 4-25 October on the theme The Church in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace. Missionary Oblates Superior General Rev. Fr. Wilhelm Steckling OMI looked at the African Synod in his November missionary reflection statement, which we would like to share here.

Oblates have been present in Africa since Saint Eugene’s time and its importance for our Congregation keeps increasing. What do we know about Africa? While the Continent occasionally appears on the world news there is still too much silence about it. Very recently we got an opportunity to hear what our African Church leaders are saying about their Continent and I invite us all to lend them listening ears.

The first Synod for Africa was held 15 years ago. I still remember the opening ceremony, I had just settled here in Rome. As it seems, that synod was mostly a time to become acquainted. The post-synodal document, “Ecclesia in Africa”, inspired us with the image of “the Church as God’s Family” which it took “as its guiding idea for the evangelization of Africa” (EIA 63).

The “Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops” ended a week ago. It focused on “The Church in Africa in service to reconciliation, justice and peace”. Among the 240 participant bishops, eight were Oblates, and among the almost equal number of auditors, experts, fraternal delegates and helpers we had, for the first time, five of our scholastics involved, offering different services.

We will have to wait a few months for the main document to appear but the message given at the conclusion is already out. I found it particularly outspoken and striking, and to read the whole text is worthwhile. Let me highlight just a few points, in three steps. While the message tells us how the African Synod sees its continent, it may also offer us inspiration for our mission in other parts of the world.

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Worrying Signs for Global AIDS Funding November 6th, 2009

An international non-governmental organization has warned that rich donor governments were showing signs of retreating on their commitment to increase access to life-saving treatment for AIDS patients. In a new report by the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF): Punishing Success: early signs of retreat from commitment to HIV/AIDS care and treatment, two major funders of AIDS treatment in poor countries – the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) were reported to be considering either scaling back or freezing their funding levels.

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International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day, May 17, 2009 May 4th, 2009

Mark ‘Sunday May 17′ on your calendar. A candlelight vigil will be held in 115 countries lead by varied coalitions of some 1,200 community organizations. The International AIDS candlelight vigil is a grassroots mobilization initiative against AIDS organized by the Global Health Council.

With 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS today, this event is a global solidarity effort to fight AIDS. The theme for the 2009 International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day is “Together, We are the Solution”.

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World AIDS Day: Take Action December 1st, 2008

The 1st of December, World AIDS Day, is the day when individuals and organizations from around the world act together to focus attention on the global AIDS epidemic. 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. Send a letter or postcard today to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. (See below for details)

We have come a long way since 1988, but there is still much more to be done.  Despite substantial progress in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, mortality remains high. For example, HIV/AIDS remains the leading cause of adult death in Africa, where lack of access to health services limits survival.

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Universal Action Now – 17th International AIDS Conference to be Held in Mexico City July 28th, 2008

The worldwide gathering to focus on global HIV/AIDS policy proposals, scientific development and programs will run from August 3-8 in Mexico City, Mexico. The International AIDS Conference (AIDS2008) brings together some 25,000 stakeholders to share experiences, draw lessons and plan ahead to combat the global AIDS pandemic. Those expected to attend the conference include HIV-positive people, religious groups, business organizations, research scientists, youth, civil society and governmental leaders.

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