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Network for ’Aids clergymen’ formed
2005-09-25 07:42:34
By Simon Kivamwo
A group of over 50 Tanzanian clerics and church leaders living with HIV/AIDS has formed the Tanzania Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by the virus (TANERELA+), in the wake of a retreat, the Sunday Observer reports today.
’In January we held a retreat in Moshi, during which TANERELA+ was formed,’ said Rev. Fr. Jape Heath, General Secretary of African Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV/AIDS (ANERELA+).
Rev.Fr. Heath further said that TANERELA+ becomes an automatic member of ANERELA+.
’Since then, they have been moving around, province by province, to reach people and find support for the People Living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania,’ said Rev.
Heath shortly after he attended a press conference organized by the Churches United Against HIV/AIDS in Southern and Eastern Africa (CUAHA).
The conference that was held at the Tanzania Information Services Auditorium on Friday was part of the third CUAHA General Meeting that has been held at a city beach hotel.
He said ANERELA+ respected the rights of an individual to disclose his or her sero-positive status.
However, he said, TANERELA+ was currently being co-ordinated by the Arusha-based clergyman and a Sheikh from Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region.
He said, ANERELA+ and its networks across Africa strives to ensure Safer practices, Available medication, Voluntary testing and Empowerment through Education (SAVE).
Elsewhere in Africa, some 70 religious leaders have already retreated (declared their HIV status) under the umbrella of ANERELA+ newtork.
Some come from Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, South Africa, Malawi.
The confident reverend pointed out that stigma remained a powerful tool for growing HIV and AIDS.
Rev. Fr. Heath, an Anglican Priest since 1994 and who became a father in 1995, tested HIV+ in 2000.
He discourages religious leaders who still clung to the old myths in the churches that AIDS was God’s punishment for sin.
He once denounced the notions that are used is some congregations that....It is not our problem,...we have nobody living with HIV in our congregation, and the like.
’With the current statistics what messages are you giving to keep them out?,’ he asked .
He said, it was an indisputable fact that AIDS was in the Church. However, he noted, AIDS was not bigger than God.
He said, his network encouraged members and non members to take care of their bodies, eat well by taking nutritious food, and of course, accept that they have AIDS.
’Not only that, but we also emphasize effective workplace policies on HIV/AIDS, whereby, faith community is a major employer in the world than any other sector,’ he stressed.
The vision of ANERELA+ is an African Region where religious leaders living positively with and affected by HIV and AIDS are empowered to live openly as witnesses to hope and be forces for change in their congregations and communities.
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