Being the Church - LWF Global HIV & AIDS Campaign
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Focus | Breaking Taboos to Stop HIV & AIDS in Ukraine
Lutherans have joined in the fight to counter the rapid spread of HIV in the Black Sea port of Odessa. At the top of the agenda: breaking the silence on taboo topics like sexuality and irresponsible behavior.
Diaconal institutions have developed an extensive program to educate, challenge stereotypes and accompany those affected by HIV and AIDS.
The Campaign
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HIV and AIDS affect our communities, our families, our churches, our friends and us personally. It could be said that the church itself is HIV-positive.
HIV and AIDS call Christians to live out God’s love towards fellow human beings, to speak out and advocate for just practices, and to create supportive and caring communities of acceptance, safety, refuge and healing.
With its action plan "Compassion, Conversion, Care: Responding as Churches to the HIV/AIDS Pandemic" and its handbook Grace, Care and Justice, the LWF aims to engage member churches, partner agencies and wider society in open discussion, and promote active and courageous responses.
Grace, Care and Justice
The LWF campaign embodies a holistic approach:
- building inclusive communities
- informing about medical aspects and prevention
- challenging disempowering gender and sexuality constructs
- examining faith questions
- promoting a ministry of counseling
- supporting home-based care
- advocating for change
LWF President Mark S. Hanson washes the feet of an HIV-positive woman in a public act of repentance. © EAA/Paul Jeffrey |
The current phase of the campaign focuses on ongoing training for church leaders, regional capacity building, resource development, distribution of the LWF AIDS handbook and greater involvement of people living with AIDS.
The LWF is committed to working in partnership with ecumenical, interfaith, governmental and civil society actors.
The LWF AIDS Campaign is coordinated by the HIV and AIDS Desk in the Department for Mission and Development.
Read further to learn more, or contact the HIV and AIDS Desk:
Rev. Dr Veikko Munyika, Coordinator
Claudia Hoffmann-Denarié, Administrative Assistant
