Saint Anne's Episcopal Church

Archbishop of Canterbury's World AIDS Day Message 'A Space for Hope'

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Created dateDec 02, 2009 Last editDec 02, 2009 at 11:14 AM
by ACNS Webmaster; Source: Anglican Church News Service, webmaster@aco.org
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(The video of the Archbishop's is no longer available, but a full transcript
of the video is available here.)

Dr Williams and The Revd Sawo discuss both the problems that emerge
through keeping silent on issues surrounding HIV and the importance of
the Church's role in breaking this silence and providing support and
leadership. As a faith leader and a mother herself living with HIV, The
Revd Sawo gives the example of her own church: "My congregation knows
about my status and people in my church know that this is a place where,
if they come with HIV, they can be loved."

The Revd Sawo calls for the eradication of the stigma and denial
associated with the condition: "The things we are silent about, the
things we never talk about - they are the things that really affect us."

In the video the Archbishop says that the Church can: "Provide space for
people to face themselves, to be themselves, and to cope with their
future."

A message of hope runs throughout the video. The Archbishop says: "We
know that the transmission from mother to child is something that can be
dealt with. We need to encourage all our governments to keep up their
commitment to making this medical help available, and to giving that
hope, which we know is possible."

The Revd Sawo echoes this: "What makes me hopeful is the Church, and the
love that a woman can receive in the Church. Hoping in faith that all
things are possible, but at the same time making it a reality by having
the space in the Church where women can grow to be themselves, and be
able to face all kinds of life challenges." The video also highlights
the role of men, of fathers, in supporting mothers to access support and
vital services.

According to the United Nations, there are 2.1 million children (0-15
years) living with HIV. In 2008, 430,000 children were newly infected
with HIV, 90% of them through mother-to-child transmission. In low and
middle income countries, only 45% of mothers living with HIV can access
comprehensive services to help protect their babies from infection.

Patricia Sawo is the HIV Ambassador for Tearfund, a Christian relief and
development agency, who co-produced the video.