September 2001

African Anglicans Meet on HIV/AIDS

More than 200 participants met in August at the All African Anglican Conference on HIV/AIDS in Boksburg, South Africa. South African Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane said as the meeting closed that “A silence has been broken and a first step is now in place for the Anglican Communion in Africa to make it absolutely clear that we are willing to do all in our power to bring the hope of a generation without AIDS to reality.”

Three representatives were invited to the conference from each African province south of the Sahara, as well as people with AIDS and representatives of other interested groups.

The meeting was organized in less than three months by Ted Karpf, NEAC member and long-time former executive director of NEAC. Episcopal Relief and Development pledged $50,000 and further support came from the U.S. Agency for International Development. Karpf told Episcopal News Service , “The stigma is more killing than the virus—to be cut off like that. But the church can be there. We have a huge opportunity.”

Among those who spoke at the conference was South African Deputy State President Jacob Zuma, who also heads the South African National AIDS Council. Condemning the “horrific forms of discrimination and violence” against those infected with HIV and AIDS, He said, “The human and legal rights, as well as the human dignity of those living with HIV/AIDS ought also to be respected and upheld.”

Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria said that the church has “been denying the reality of AIDS” but that the conference signaled an end to that denial.” He went on, “Our vocation as Anglican Christians is to save souls, yes, but we also must save lives.”

Asked about condom use Archbishop Ndungane affirmed “the clear position of the church” for abstinence and faithfulness, but acknowledged “human imperfection” in the real world, where condom use is suggested. He also affirmed support for the South African government’s ABC position: abstinence, being faithful, and condoms.

At the closing worship service, the Archbishop challenged the participants: “Our lack of action, our prejudice, our indifference places a sentence on those we have chosen to ignore or wish would go away. Our abuse of scripture and authority in these matters is shameful.”