“The Sudan Catholic Bishops take strength from the determination of both AMECEA and SECAM to lead all the Sudanese faithful and people of good will into the full and compassionate awareness, care and accompaniment of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs)”
Just emerging from 21 years of war, Sudan is waking up to the reality of HIV and AIDS and the devastating effect the virus is having on development. Poverty is widespread.
Alcoholism, misinformation and lack of knowledge on the reality of HIV undermine the fight against the pandemic. Other root causes behind the rapid spread of the virus include such things as the cross-border movement of refugees, the internal displacement of families, the sexual abuse of children, the rape of women and girls, drug addiction and traditional and cultural practices such as wife inheritance and skin scarification. The virus that is causing AIDS is perhaps the greatest emergency facing the people of the Sudan at this time. It is also an emergency that is spreading silently.
Three years ago, the Catholic Church in the Sudan made a courageous decision to speak out about the HIV pandemic. “In war time, we did not pay attention to the risk of HIV and AIDS but now with the overcrowded situation of returnees and the migration of displaced people, we must exercise more awareness and greater prevention in order to keep this infection from spreading and becoming a merciless killer among the people.”
At the 15th AMECEA Plenary held in June 2005, the Bishops prioritised three areas in the struggle against HIV/AIDS:
• Provide leadership and commitment to the cause of HIV and AIDS,
• Foster partnerships to combat the disease, and
• Strengthen the organizational capacity of the Church.
Immediately after the AMECEA conference had ended, the Sudan Bishops held a plenary meeting at Namugongo, Kampala, Uganda and issued a pastoral Letter entitled: Compassionate Awareness, Care and Accompaniment of People Infected and affected by HIV and AIDS. The Bishops outlined the task of the Church in Sudan in the following statement: “The Church as a mother and teacher assumes her responsibility about HIV and AIDS by requesting all pastoral agents to acquire full knowledge and awareness of the disease and become strongly motivated to face this struggle with an effective spiritual, moral and curative approach” .
They committed themselves to:
• Bring about a total change of attitude towards people infected and affected by the virus.
• Direct efforts to eradicate stigma and discrimination against people living with AIDS.
• Play a major role in eradicating the damaging myths about the virus and challenge any social, religious, cultural and political practices which perpetuate stigma.
• Facilitate counselling, provide support and comfort to people living with HIV and AIDS through home-based care programmes and other initiatives.
• Encourage the practice of compassion, love, healing, reconciliation and hope, knowing that these bring great comfort to those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.
THE IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES OF THE SUDAN BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE NATIONAL STRATEGY ON HIV AND AIDS.
The Catholic Church in the Sudan is in a unique position to respond to the reality of HIV and AIDS because of its threefold charism of being Teacher, Prophet and Servant.
As Teacher, the Church raises the awareness of HIV and AIDS among the people and strengthens their resolve and commitment to face the impact of HIV while proclaiming the full message of the prevention of the virus.
As Prophet, the Church stands beside those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS and speaks out against any form of stigma and discrimination towards those living with HIV and AIDS. The Church also advocates for greater access to care and treatment and speaks up for those who are the most vulnerable to HIV and AIDS in our communities. The Church asks Government and other Faith Leaders to ensure that the human and legal rights of those living with AIDS are fully respected and safeguarded.
As Servant, the Church through its pastoral ministry brings compassion, care, support and hope to those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.
The Church will continue to raise awareness of the impact of HIV and AIDS on the people of Sudan. The Church will make further progress in developing a training programme both at national and diocesan level for church personnel and pastoral workers so that they can implement a committed response at the level of the parish community and the family.
The Bishops’ Conference will continue to advocate with Government leaders and International Donors for greater access to funding for the treatment of people living with AIDS. The Conference will also network with sister agencies within the CARITAS confederation and CIDSE for funding and support at the local level of each of the Dioceses. CAFOD is privileged to continue the partnership with the Sudan Bishops’ Conference in the further implementation and support of the national HIV and AIDS programme.
The Bishops will appoint a “focal person” in each of the Dioceses to coordinate the HIV response at Diocesan level. This focal person will ensure that the Diocesan programme is community based, and that it collaborates and communicates with other activities within the Diocese, with other local NGOs and FBOs and particularly with local and national government strategies and initiatives. O
ne of these initiatives could be the drive to establish Local Voluntary Counseling and HIV Testing Centres. VCT Centres, managed by trained staff, can go a long way in enabling men and women to know their HIV status, and in supporting their efforts to prevent the further spread of the virus and, where necessary, seek care and treatment. Where feasible, the Church could contribute to this initiative by offering adequate training in the provision of pre and post-test counseling.
Increased efforts will be made among our people in the local communities of the Dioceses to build up a strong volunteer base at parish level to enable greater care and support for those infected and affected by the virus. Similar efforts will be made to welcome the involvement of people living with HIV and AIDS in the development and implementation of the HIV programme at the level of the local community, parish and diocese.
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