The Advent 1996 issue of the International Anglican Family Network "tells of just a few of the projects, linked with churches, which are trying to alleviate the suffering and halt the spread of the disease. In this terrible situation there are signs of hope." Article includes reports from 12 different countries.
While attending a meeting of MISSIO, the Mission Commission of the Anglican Communion, in Harare, Zimbabwe, in April 1999, the author attended the funeral of an AIDS victim with the Rev. Petros Nyatsanza. The man who died was pre-deceased by his wife and infant daughter, all victims of AIDS.
Archbishop of Carey, the Most Rev. George Carey, and his wife Eileen, visited the London Lighthouse and CARA, an church run AIDS charity. Dr. Carey said that "AIDS is one of the most important issues facing the Anglican Church worldwide today."
"The Diocese of Central Zimbabwe is planning an extensive food relief programme as the region is suffering a fourth year of major food shortages." The diocese set up extensive HIV/AIDS programmes in 2003. An average of "two parishioners die of AIDS every month per parish. This translates into three people every day." Mr. Peter Kwaramba is the diocesan communications officer and also in charge of the St. Patrick's HIV/AIDS action programme also known as PATHAID. The programme works for "HIV/AIDS prevention, but also to deal with its contingent problems, including support for the terminally ill, orphaned and marginalised children, and for families in general. `The project sees HIV/AIDS as a developmental problem and tackles it prevention, care and support ... with empowerment ... spiritual and economic', said Mr. Kwaramba. The only problem with ensuring the project worked, he added, was a lack of funds and a vehicle".
A meditation by the now retired bishop of Manicaland, Zimbabwe. A reflection on Mark chapter 15, verses 9-14, the persecution and suffering of Christ because he was not one of the powerful and threatened them with his love for the poor and powerless. "As we know the same violence that nailed Jesus to the cross in still prevalent in our world even today. It has many forms and can be physical as well as verbal .... HIV and AIDS is claiming lots of lives in Zimbabwe today. Should anyone be stoned to death because of helping the infected or affected, for instance the orphans ? Should anyone be harassed or beaten up because she/he has offered food to a hungry family ? Indeed we have heard voices saying time and again: Do not love or care for them because they are not 'one of us'. Whenever an act of violence is committed, the perpetrators appear to be victorious. But history has shown us again and again that perpetrators of violence always become the losers in the end. Jesus appeared to be a victim but today we celebrate his victory of the resurrection ...".
Sermon by the Bishop of London, the Rt. Rev. Richard Chartres, at the 10th anniversary service, held at the Guards Chapel, Westminster, to celebrate the life of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. "At a time when people are suspicious of rhetoric, the monarchy communicates by symbol and simple speech and the Princess brought her own gifts to this work. She was still only 26 when she shook the hand of a patient at the opening of the Middlesex Hospital's AIDS ward, the first in the UK. It is hard now to credit the degree of fear and prejudice which surrounded AIDS in the eighties. Those familiar with the field have no doubt that the Princess played a significant part in overcoming a harmful and even cruel taboo is a gesture which was not choreographed but sprang from a deep identification with those who were vulnerable and on the margin". "Her work in the very last year of her life for the victims of landmines also caught the popular imagination internationally and certainly accelerated the adoption of the Ottawa Convention, banning the use of weapon which disproportionately kills and maims women and children. She proved the eloquence of embrace and touch which of course have been used by royal healers through the centuries. And as she said 'the biggest disease today is not leprosy or TB but the feeling of being unwanted'." "Let this service mark the point at which we let her rest in peace and dwell on her memory with thanksgiving and compassion while we pray in the words of St. Paul for all those who serve our country as members of the Royal Family and most especially for the sons who were so precious to her".