I was shocked this week on a CBC radio program dealing with HIV/Aids in the Maritimes - faced with a direct question: "What group is most at-risk for HIV infection?" the respondent refused to mention gay-men. Before you sound the alarm, I am not suggesting HIV is a 'gay' disease. However, I am only suggesting that, to my knowledge, the most at-risk group happens to be gay men. I felt disturbed by the lack of honesty the respondent portrayed. Instead, she answered, "Anyone who is engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse is most at risk." Does anyone know the answer to the question as it was posed?
I have included below a paste from the blogsite Whispers in the Loggia:concerning Benedict XVI:
"Meanwhile, considering the recent media melee/ad intra foodfight occasioned by the Pope's comments on condoms in his freshly-released chat-book, something worth watching in the days ahead in light of the fracas is the degree to which Benedict will maintain his pontificate's well-established practice of an annual appeal to mark World AIDS Day -- observed by the church and civil society alike on 1 December.
As the pontiff duly noted in Light of the World, "the church does more than anyone else" in its global care efforts for many of the over 40 million stricken with HIV/AIDS "because she does not speak from the tribunal of the newspapers, but helps her brothers and sisters where they are actually suffering."
From practically all sides, said work yet again went ignored amid the latex-wrapped storm of discourse that shrouded the Vatican over the last week... along those lines, though, given the particular ecclesial context of this World AIDS Day, here's a recap of B16's annual statements for the observance
General Audience, 30 November 2005:
Tomorrow, 1 December, is World AIDS Day, a United Nations initiative planned to call attention to the scourge of AIDS and to invite the International Community to a renewed commitment in the work of prevention and supportive assistance to those afflicted. The figures published are alarming!
Closely following Christ's example, the Church has always considered care of the sick as an integral part of her mission. I therefore encourage the many initiatives promoted especially by the Ecclesial Community to rout this disease, and I feel close to persons with AIDS and their families, invoking for them the help and comfort of the Lord.
Angelus, 26 November 2006:
This coming December 1 marks World AIDS Day. I wish greatly that this occasion promotes an increased responsibility for the care of this illness, together with the pledge of avoiding each instance of discrimination toward the many stricken with it. Calling the comfort of the Lord upon the sick and their families, I encourage the many initiatives that the Church maintains in this area.
General Audience, 28 November 2007:
World AIDS Day will be celebrated this coming 1 December. I am spiritually close to all who suffer from this terrible disease as well as to their families, especially those afflicted by the loss of a spouse. I assure all of them of my prayers.
I would also like to urge all people of good will to multiply their efforts to prevent the spread of the HIV virus, to oppose the contempt that often affects those who have the disease and to care for the sick, especially when they are still children.
Angelus, 29 November 2009:
[This coming 1 December sees the world day against AIDS.] My thoughts and prayers go to every person afflicted by this disease, especially the children, the very poor, and all those who are rejected. The Church does all it can to fight AIDS through its institutions and workers. I urge everyone to make their own contribution through prayers and actual care, so that those suffering from the HIV virus may experience the presence of the Lord, source of comfort and hope. Lastly, I hope that, through more coordinated efforts, we may be able to stop and eradicate this disease.
Needless to say, anyone interested in the "other shoe" might want to keep an eye for what happens at Wednesday's Audience."
AK: LET US PRAY. ACT. BECOME EDUCATED.
FIND WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THOSE WHO HOLD BELIEFS THAT CAUSE TENSION WITH THE CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE.
Any ideas?
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