Ökumenischer Rat der Kirchen - Aktuelles
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Zur Veröffentlichung frei: 19. Dezember 2003


Stigmatization and discrimination are a sin says WCC HIV/AIDS consultation

Cf WCC Upcoming Events of December 2003

In an effort to develop a common strategy to respond to the emerging HIV epidemic in Central and Eastern Europe, an ecumenical meeting brought 40 representatives of 24 churches and church-related organizations in 12 countries to St. Petersburg from 15-18 December 2003. The meeting was held under the auspices of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and its European Regional Partnership Group (ERPG).

Theological reflection was an integral part of the consultation programme. In a "Memorandum of Intention", participants stated their firm belief that all human beings are created in the image of God and therefore have intrinsic value and dignity. People with HIV/AIDS are loved and accepted by God and are full and equal members of the human community. "Any form of stigmatization or discrimination perpetrated against human beings," including persons living with HIV, "violates this divine image and is therefore a sin," the memorandum affirms.

Based on their theology and on an analysis of the ongoing HIV/AIDS work of the churches and related organizations in the region, participants declared their resolve to work on prevention and care by ensuring that "our communities are fully informed about the reality of this crisis and are equipped and willing to act in a way to prevent the spread of this disease and to support and sustain those who are affected by HIV/AIDS". "The battle against HIV/AIDS… calls us to use all effective means of prevention within a context of Christian ethics," they stated.

The participants also expressed their determination to fight HIV-associated stigma, especially against the most vulnerable groups. People living with HIV/AIDS, women, children born to HIV-infected mothers, prisoners and injecting drug users were among the groups identified as being particularly vulnerable. Referring to gender discrimination, "We must dare to focus more on the rights of women and children and the particular issues of sexual coercion and domestic violence," the memorandum says.

It urgently calls upon the churches and the related organizations to strengthen their efforts and commitment to reduce the spread of HIV infection and relieve the suffering of all those affected by HIV/AIDS. And it notes that "Even though we may have different approaches to certain issues, we are united in the fundamental belief in the sacred worth of human beings and that the gospel mandates that we love and respect all people regardless of their circumstances."

The full text of the memorandum is available on our website at:
http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/mission/petersburg.html

For further information contact Tatiana Kotova, Director, Christian Interchurch Diaconal Council of St Petersburg at email hiv-aids@cidc.ru or telephone +7 812 2771491 or Manoj Kurian, Program Executive, Health and Healing, World Council of Churches at email mku@wcc-coe.org or telephone +41 22 791 6323.

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Weitere Informationen: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org

Der Ökumenische Rat der Kirchen fördert die Einheit der Christen im Glauben, Zeugnis und Dienst für eine gerechte und friedliche Welt. 1948 als ökumenische Gemeinschaft von Kirchen gegründet, gehören dem ÖRK heute mehr als 349 protestantische, orthodoxe, anglikanische und andere Kirchen an, die zusammen über 560 Millionen Christen in mehr als 110 Ländern repräsentieren. Es gibt eine enge Zusammenarbeit mit der römisch-katholischen Kirche. Der Generalsekretär des ÖRK ist Pfr. Dr. Samuel Kobia, von der Methodistischen Kirche in Kenia. Hauptsitz: Genf, Schweiz.