Despite being nearly 3 decades into the pandemic, HIV/AIDS continues to be relegated to the “back burner.” It is no longer a front page story and is often perceived as more of a chronic illness even though more Americans are infected than ever before in the history of the disease. Although there are medications to treat the disease, treatment is not necessarily easy or simple, and, there is no cure. Yes, there are fewer people dying from the disease, but there are more people living with it.
Many remain disconnected from the reality of the pandemic, indifferent and even apathetic about the disease and its issues. The numbers of persons infected and affected remain just numbers to many…often these are not thought of in relation to the individual person, the individual face of the disease which the statistics represent. Many remain ignorant about the facts. We are still fighting the enormous and persistent stigma and discrimination which accompany the disease.
Catholic Charities, in our mission of charity to anyone in need continues to live the Gospel message in working to strengthen and support individuals, families and communities based on the value and dignity of human life.
The late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin in his 1986 pastoral letter, “AIDS: The Challenges and Responsibility,” said that “Our responsibility and challenge is to overcome ignorance and prejudice, to become a community of healing and reconciliation…”
Acknowledging this challenge, the web page will offer to anyone who is curious and/or interested, up to date information about:
- The disease,
- Catholic Charities HIV/AIDS Services,
- Catholic Charities HIV/AIDS Ministry,
- News, events, articles, links, etc., of importance on the local, national and global scene.
We invite you browse our page and consider joining in our efforts at Catholic Charities and in your own parishes and communities as well.