Discussion Paper on "The Christian Conference of Asia's Pastoral Guidelines on HIV and AIDS"
A Discussion Paper on The Christian Conference of Asia's Pastoral Guidelines on HIV and AIDS for CCA Member Churches and Council of Churches
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) will urgently and seriously respond to the issues related to the rapidly spreading Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired-Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) through deep spiritual and theological reflection and compassionate action of the Churches.
CCA will specifically focus on breaking down barriers and minimizing judgmental attitudes that could lead to stigmatization, discrimination and violation of human rights through promoting HIV- and AIDS-competent Churches.
CCA will promote and enable Member Churches and National Council of Churches to integrate HIV and AIDS in their healing and reconciling ministry and to address prevention of HIV in a holistic manner.
CCA commits to enhance access to treatment for all.
CCA will promote care and support for those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS as a special ministry of the Church, following the principles of non-discrimination and de-stigmatization.
CCA will advocate for protection of rights and care of people living with HIV through partnerships, working with political and other leadership and introduction of legislation as appropriate. Responding to gender inequalities will remain at the core of the advocacy work.
CCA will seek to understand human sexuality in the contexts of personal responsibility, relationships, family and Christian faith to uphold mutual respect in all forms of relationships.
CCA will identify staff persons mandated to follow through on HIV and AIDS, and will work with Member Churches and Council of Churches to do the same and will assure effectiveness and efficiency and accountability to Member Churches and National Council of Churches.
PRINCIPLES
The essential elements of a Church HIV and AIDS strategy and policy:
- Enhances within the Church, the level of knowledge and awareness of the seriousness or the potential seriousness of the HIV impact on society;
- Transforms attitudes to the disease and to those among us who live with the virus and are affected by HIV, on the basis of biblical and ethical perspectives, determined by the Gospel imperatives of
.
>Loving others as oneself (John 13; 34-35);
>In the divinity of the other and the sanctity of serving (Matthew 25: 31-40); and
>In seeing the whole community as part of one body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12); and
- Gives the Church a vision of being a welcoming and embracing community, competent and compassionate to deal with HIV both within the Church and across the wider society and the global community.
The strategy and policy is developed and adopted in participatory and experiential processes involving:
- The leadership – both clergy and laity; and
- The congregations.
The strategy and policy promotes dealing with HIV in a forthright manner and will have mechanisms to sustain this engagement in the Church by:
- Open discussions on all aspects that make communities more vulnerable to HIV (namely: poverty, gender inequity, violence, intravenous drug use, unsafe sex practices, poor access to health care, lack of respect for human rights and human dignity – including paucity of services for health care during pregnancy, child birth and care for children) and related issues such as sexuality, education and literacy;
- Education, faith formation and training – including the theological education, continuing education (theological education by extension) and catechisms' and
- Prayer and contemplation, which addresses the issue in liturgy and worship, particularly during days or periods assigned for the healing ministry and in commemorating World AIDS Day.
The strategy and policy is designed to mobilize the Church in advocating and acting on the issue of HIV:
- At the community level;
- Engaging the leaders and the governance of the Church;
- Partnering with networks of people living with HIV and AIDS and with affected Churches and communities;
- Striving for meaningful participation of people living with HIV and AIDS in the Church;
- At the local, national, regional and global platforms that are within the reach of the Church; and
- In collaboration with others in civil society and government, who are engaged in overcoming HIV?
The strategy and policy promotes the Church in advocating and acting on specific aspects of HIV such as:
- Adoption and promotion of just work-place policies;
- Stop stigma and discrimination;
- Universal access to prevention, care and treatment of HIV; and
- Support of vulnerable populations, including orphans and vulnerable children.
The strategy and policy commits the Church:
- To dedicate human, structural and financial resources to support the implementation of the strategy and policy; and
- Monitor and ensure accountability to the strategy and policy the Church has committed to follow.
PASTORAL GUIDELINES
The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) exists as an organ and a forum of sixteen (16) National Council of Churches and over one hundred (100) Churches in Aotearoa/New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong SAR China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand. CCA seeks to act from deep spirituality and theology as a facilitating agent for dialogue and action on issues of common concerns and for the breaking down of barriers that separate and cause division between peoples of Asia.
CCA faces the urgent and serious issues related to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that has continued to spread rapidly in Asia. The epidemiological pattern varies from country to country, since some parts of Asia have high incidence while others have low prevalence.
While there were some Member Churches that have started to act after the first decade of the infection, Church-related hospitals and health coordinating agencies in India, some Churches in Thailand and Council of Churches in Aotearoa/New Zealand, Australia, and Myanmar, much more needs to be undertaken by all the Member Churches and Council of Churches, not only in areas with high incidence but also in areas with low prevalence of HIV and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
The presence of HIV and AIDS calls for deep spiritual and theological reflection and compassionate action of the Churches. In almost three decades of the epidemic, the lack of adequate response and especially the stigma, discrimination, and judgmental attitudes of our Christian organizations and Churches in Asia is fuelling the epidemic more quickly that the virus itself.
As members of the Body of Christ through our baptism, we are ordained into a Christian life that follows the Lord Jesus Christ who "came that we may have life in all its fullness."(John 10:10) This fullness of life is given to all, even among the sick in our society. "Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ." (Romans 8:35) The continuous and rapid spread of HIV and AIDS challenges and compels all of us as members of the body of Christ "to suffer with those who suffer" 91 Corinthians 12;12). The people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS are full members of the same body of Christ. They are equally important bearers of the witness to the gospel of love that brings about justice and well-being for all God's people that includes even those outside the Christian fold.
CCA has demonstrated its leadership and commitment to HIV and AIDS by preparing the liturgy for the observance of World AIDS Day (December 1st), gathering member organizations to discuss the appropriate response to HIV and AIDS and reporting in CCA News, and facilitating the organization of faith-based groups in responding to the epidemic through the Asian Interfaith Network on AIDS (AINA). Much more needs to be undertaken in the coming years.
CCA is called to:
- deepen the theology and spirituality of HIV and AIDS and reflect this into the pastoral life of the Church;
- assert the roles and rights of affected people in the Church and in its work;
- integrate prevention, treatment, care and support;
- conduct lobby and advocacy for people living with affected by HIV and AIDS; and
- ensure stewardship of finances and resources in the area of HIV and AIDS.
The active response to HIV and AIDS cuts across fair and respectful relationships, human sexuality and gender justice. The ministries of the Churches need to address vulnerable children, young people, women, men, sex workers, and prisoners.
Spiritual and Pastoral life of the Church
The compassion and commitment to each other and to the wider web of life of the congregation is an essential foundation and principle of our spirituality. The congregation is a healing and reconciling community just as everyone is loved unconditionally by our Lord Jesus Christ.
In Asia, there are also many other faith perspectives and cultural perspectives. We recognize the importance of appreciating the diverse expressions of spirituality and learning from one another through joint reflections and actions.
HIV and AIDS, challenge us to break down barriers of us and them, and our judgmental attitudes that could lead to stigmatization, discrimination and the violation of human rights. There is a need to review the liturgical rites and practice of Baptism, Eucharist, and funeral in churches to ensure that they do not violate the rights of people. The active participation of people living with HIV and AIDS in the life of the congregation will enrich our spiritual experience and bridge the gap between our religious teachings and the realities on the ground. Everyone in the congregation needs to experience the fullness of life that Christ offers all. We should promote non-judgmental messages and create safe spaces for sharing experiences that will enhance our understanding of one another in the spirit of compassion and forgiveness, thus reconciling us to Christ who makes us whole.
We will promote HIV- and AIDS-competent Churches in Asia by preaching and teaching non-judgmental messages about HIV and AIDS in our Sunday Schools, worship, various lay-led fellowship meetings and Bible Studies; conduct community outreach program, designate special times of healing and prayers in the liturgy; learning from the experiences of people in the margins and inviting them as full participants in preventing the spread of HIV; and celebrate World AIDS Day every December 1st and AIDS Sunday on the nearest Sunday following – that incorporates the experience and needs of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.
We will build the capacity of our members to engage in the various aspects of the ministry. We will encourage and translate in Asian languages, materials and resources that are available in the World Council of Churches (WCC), other world communions, faith-based communities, inter-governmental organizations like the Joint United Nations Programme of HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), World Health Organization (WHO), and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund).
We will endeavour to equip pupils and students in Church-related and owned institutions, and in ministerial formation centres with knowledge, skills, attitudes that will actualize our roles as a healing and reconciling community.
Integrating HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support of People Living with and Affected of HIV and AIDS
Everyone is vulnerable to HIV and AIDS. Prevention, treatment, care and support of people living with HIV and AIDS need to be integrated within the healing and reconciling ministry of the Church.
Prevention
CCA calls on Member Churches and National Council of Churches to address the prevention of HIV in a holistic manner including encouraging discussion on, and understanding of:
- the social factors that can make us vulnerable to HIV, including how these affect members of our congregations;
- cultural practices within our society that enhance our vulnerability or protect us;
- issues such as domestic violence, incest, substance addictions that are often not discussed openly;
- relationships that emphasize mutual respect and honesty, including within families;
- scientifically proven and evidence-informed methods of prevention; and
- new and innovative methods of prevention.
On the issue of condoms (including the use of male and female condoms), we support the findings of the Consultative Group on AIDS of the World Council of Churches. After careful consideration of the ethical questions and of the technical details, the following conclusion was drawn: "Without blessing or encouraging promiscuity, we recognize the reality of human sexual relationships and practice and of the existence of HIV in the world. Scientific evidence has demonstrated that education on positive measures of prevention and the provision and use of condoms help to prevent transmission of the virus and the consequent suffering and death for the many of those infected. Should not the Churches, in the light of these facts, recognize the use of condoms as a method of prevention of HIV/" (WCC Study Document: Facing AIDS, the Challenge, the Churches Response, p. 62)
We commit to practice an openness and acceptance and full participation of those who we often marginalized such as Intravenous Drug Users (IDU), Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), sex workers, and most importantly, people living with HIV and AIDS.
We commit to actively reach out to those who are vulnerable in society and within our members, especially to those who are less reached.
We commit to encourage and support persons living with HIV and AIDS to exercise their rights and responsibilities to themselves and to their families.
Treatment
The scientific communities are looking for definitive treatment for HIV and AIDS through vaccine development and other drugs. We note the importance of Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) and Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy (HAART) in reducing the rate at which the virus multiplies in the body, in slowing down the rate at which the disease progresses, in restoring the functioning of the immune system, and in making the person less infections, thus reducing the risk of spreading HIV. However, various ART and other drugs to treat opportunistic infections (OIs) are not yet accessible to all PLHIV.
We commit to enhance access to treatment for all, including pregnant women and children and those in substance addictions, through efforts such as treatment literacy, awareness workshops, promotion of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) dispensing of medicines, treatment of OI, ART, and post exposure prophylaxis.
This includes actively helping individuals to access services that are available from providers other than the Church.
Care and Support
We will promote care and support as a special ministry of the Church, following the principles of non-discrimination, de-stigmatization and providing scientifically proven methods of care and support as well as support those looking for alternative treatment and supportive measures.
We will promote policies and dialogue that promote the human rights and dignity of people living with HIV and AIDS, as either employees or members within our communities.
Within our organizations, we will seek to create an environment that empowers people living with HIV and AIDS to share their HIV status with others. In this time, co-workers living openly with HIV and AIDS may be employed in order to bear witness and to encourage others to do so.
We will promote the adoption of policies and practices that protect confidentiality and enable openness between Churches and people living with HIV and AIDS.
Advocacy
We will advocate for and with people living with HIV and AIDS:
- To bring about greater awareness of the global HIV and AIDS situation and its root causes;
- To ensure dignity and rights of affected persons, especially to adequate health care (universal access), education and employment;
- To obtain treatment (medications and laboratory tests) and to ensure access to the full range of education, counseling, voluntary HIV testing and counseling, and care;
- To allocate adequate resources and provide programs that serve to decrease the incidence and impact of HIV and AIDS in the region; and
- To reduce costs of treatment and promote access to care.
In undertaking advocacy, we will actively seek to:
- form partnerships as required: ecumenical, other faiths, other people living with HIV and AIDS networks, civil society, government;
- work with political and other leadership; and
- introduce legislation as appropriate
As Churches, we need to have more understanding of the scientific findings and reconciling basis of our faith on the following cross-cutting issues:
- Relationships; and
- Human Sexuality
Gender inequality is at the centre of gender-based violence which is a pervasive public health and human rights issue worldwide. Gender-based violence includes domestic violence against women, exploitation of children (child labor, sexual abuse such as incest, early marriages), prostitution, human trafficking and unfavorable cultural practices such as widow inheritance, polygamy, female genital circumcision and cleansing rituals (which includes the sexual violation of girls). All these increase the risk of HIV infection.
Therefore:
- We will uphold the ideals of public-spiritedness, social service, family values and traditions that enhance relations and respectful communication with each other, fidelity and the fruit of the spirit, viz: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control." (Galatians 5: 22-23)
- We will promote fairness and respect in relations between women and men, boys and girls in society and in the Church, encouraging more equal status, levels of responsibility, access to resources and share in decision-making.
- We will promote discussion on cultural, traditional and our own religious practices which undermine such fairness and respect.
Human Sexuality
One of the challenges for what the Churches can do is "to seek to understand more fully the gifts of human sexuality in the contexts of personal responsibility, relationship, family and Christian faith." We can no longer ignore the importance of discussing this gift of God in Churches. We can draw some wisdom from the findings of the research of scientific communities on the different forms of sexual practices. We need to uphold mutual respect in all forms of relationships.
Stewardship of Finances and Resources
To ensure that HIV and AIDS is addressed in the Asian region, CCA is expected to identify staff persons mandated to follow through on HIV and AIDS, and will work with Member Churches and National Council of Churches to do the same. Available structures will be maximally utilized. CCA will have mechanisms that ensure accountability to the people we serve, those from whom funds are received, and Member Churches and National Council of Churches.
Submitted in the Blog for Discussion of Member Churches and National Councils of Churches
By
Dr. Erlinda N. Senturias
Consultant on HIV and AIDS
Christian Conference of Asia
February 4, 2009
