Joy of the Gospel is also for people affected by AIDS in the UK

Joy of the Gospel is also for people affected by AIDS in the UK

Vincent Manning

In his recent encyclical letter ‘The Joy of the Gospel’ (Evangelii Gaudium - EG), Pope Francis leaves us in no doubt as to our obligation to include and reach out to everyone: “The joy of the Gospel is for all people: no one can be excluded.”(EG.23). Francis continues, “...above all the poor and the sick, those who are usually despised and overlooked” should be prioritised for our care and concern (EG 48). 

100,000 people living with HIV and Aids (PLWH) in the UK today are surely included in this category. HIV affects the poorest people in our society disproportionately, many live on welfare benefits, are refugees, in debt and in housing need. Despite medical advances many still suffer with debilitating sickness and die at a younger age than in the general population. They are often isolated and alone, despised by others because stigma and prejudice persist, and sadly, they are generally overlooked in our churches. 

The stigma that surrounds HIV in our churches, means that Christian PLWH are excluded from the Gospel invitation “..to respond to the God of love who saves us” (EG 39). For many, infected and affected, stigma, judgement, silence, or simple ignorance in our communities effectively cancels out this invitation of which Pope Francis writes: “Under no circumstances can this invitation be obscured!” (EG.39). 

Catholics for AIDS Prevention and Support (CAPS) exists to ensure that the Gospel invitation is extended to all people affected by HIV in our country. Through our national HIV peer support ministry and peer support groups in London, Essex and Manchester, we enable PLWH who are Christians to embody Christ for each other. 

Living with HIV remains challenging, and people are always deeply shocked by the trauma of an HIV diagnosis. HIV is also distressing for the person’s parents, siblings, children and friends, when they are told. The help and understanding offered during this time by people who understand the fears, anxieties and problems that come up, because they themselves have lived with HIV, can be especially healing. Through our networks we offer pastoral support, listening, understanding, acceptance, material help, and most importantly, spaces for prayer and Christian fellowship. Opportunities in community where “…faith itself in the crucified and risen Jesus is renewed, where the most profound questions and daily concerns are shared, where deeper discernment about our experiences and life itself is undertaken in the light of the Gospel...”(EG 77). 

HIV also presents challenges to faith. Yet, research and experience show that HIV often leads to a deepening of faith and a strengthening of belief in God, who invites us constantly towards love. When empowered, Christian PLWH can embody the personal encounter with Christ, for each other: to calm fears; offer hope; enact the love of God; and open the way to healing. 

CAPS members are also involved in events to promote awareness. Stigma remains the single most powerful obstacle to adequate care and support, and contributes to the rise in new HIV infections. Stigma and ignorance are best overcome when people confront the realities of HIV in their parishes, schools, colleges, and work-places. CAPS members help our wider Christian family to do this, through workshops, talks and liturgy. We also partner with secular agencies, to assist them in their understanding of Christian faith. We intend, in this way, to be a Christian presence in the secular world of HIV. 

CAPS is a totally volunteer run charity. Remarkably, we provide the only national Christian pastoral response for those diagnosed with HIV. The Catholic Church is respected as a key player in the response to HIV and AIDS internationally. So too, in this country, CAPS members hope that anyone living amongst us, infected or affected by HIV, will see that the Christian church here, also wishes to include them and cares about them. That they will understand that in the church of Christ Jesus, all are welcome. For as Pope Francis reminds us “...there is one sign which we should never lack: the option for those who are least, those whom society discards” (EG.195). 

A version of this article was first published in the Catholic Times Feb 9th 2014