“Unless we look down at the roots of HIV disease transmission – the social, economic, cultural, and gender issues which cause people to be vulnerable to contracting this virus, or prone to infecting others, we can never hope to halt the dissemination of this global emergency … These include situations that affront human dignity, including structural injustice (abject poverty, lack of access to education and health care), prejudice, and the lack of distributive justice, gender inequity, human trafficking, sexual abuse and sexual commerce.”
- Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Vitillo, UN Representative for Caritas Internationalis
"Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage: anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are."
- St. Augustine
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(As people gather, a bell ringer begins to toll a bell once every eleven seconds. This continues throughout the prayer. Once the congregation is gathered and silent, the first of three candles is lit.)
Reader 1: When light shines in darkness, our surroundings become clearer. We see our world, and more importantly, we see that others are standing next to us. We recognize that we are not alone. When light shines in darkness, we live in hope. (Reader 1 lights 2nd candle.)
Reader 2: Henri Nouwen writes that “hope frees us from the need to predict the future and allows us to live in the present, with the deep trust that God will never leave us alone ….”
The light that shines this evening brings us closer to our brothers and sisters who are affected by HIV. Connected by God’s ever-expanding love, we see their humanity and they see ours. We share in their hope, for today HIV is no longer a death sentence. Today, proper care and treatment can allow people living with HIV to lead productive and hopeful lives. (Reader 2 lights 3rd candle.)
Reader 3: Unfortunately, that hope is also faced with the reality that someone still dies of HIV-related causes once every eleven seconds; once every time this bell tolls. We also know that 11,000 new people become infected with HIV each day. What will my/our response be?
[Allow a time for quiet reflection and sharing aloud]
Reader 3: Let us now bring to our God of Hope our joys and sorrows as we struggle to create one world in love. Response: In your mercy, answer us.
[Allow a time for intercessory prayer]
Reader 4: In a spirit of hope and solidarity, let us pray: Almighty God, tonight we take vigil to seek your healing and strength. Be our light in darkness, O Lord, so we may recognize our common humanity with all those affected by HIV, with each orphaned child, each woman and each man. Grant us the courage to not judge people living with HIV as “bad” or “guilty,” but to see them as you see them, as unique individuals deserving compassionate love and dignity. We ask this in your name, O loving Creator …
(Continue ringing of bell until all have left gathering)
- Prepared by Sr. Joyce Lorentz; selections from CRS and CAFOD
December 1st 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day.
We have come a long way since 1988; there is still much more to be done.
Leadership is the theme for World AIDS Day 2007 and 2008, promoted with the campaigning slogan, “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.” Leadership encourages leaders at all levels to stop AIDS. Building on the 2006 theme of accountability, Leadership highlights the discrepancy between the commitments that have been made to halt the spread of AIDS, and actions taken to follow them through. Lead – Empower – Deliver!
In 2007, people around the world were encouraged to take the lead to stop AIDS. Campaigns took the shape of marches, leadership discussions, public awareness events and pledges from leaders. People have offered their leadership – now it is time to deliver:
- Governments must deliver on the promises they have made.
- Communities must encourage leadership of its members.
- Individuals must feel empowered to access treatment, to know their rights and take action against stigma and discrimination, and to know and use methods of prevention against receiving and transmitting HIV.
Since 1988, the face and response to AIDS has greatly changed. While many of these changes are positive, this anniversary offers us an opportunity to highlight how much more still needs to be done. For example:
- Leaders in most countries from around the world now acknowledge the threat of AIDS, and have committed to do something about it. Although as of 2007, nearly all countries have national HIV policies, most are not fully implemented or lack funding allocations.
- While treatment for HIV and AIDS has improved and become more widespread since 1988, many still do not have access to it – in 2007 only 31% of those in low- to middle-income countries who need treatment received it.
- Despite HIV awareness now reaching nearly all areas of the globe, infection rates are still happening 2.7 times faster than the increase in number of people receiving treatment.
- While more countries are protecting people living with HIV, one third still lack legal protections. Stigma and discrimination continue to be a major threat to universal access.
- More broadly, real action on HIV and AIDS and human rights remains lacking. Legal barriers to HIV services still exist for groups such as women, adolescents, sex workers, people who use drugs, and men having sex with men. Programmatic responses promoting HIV-related human rights have yet to be prioritised. www.worldaidscampaign.org
Action:
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