WORLD AIDS DAY: VATICAN CALLS FOR TOTAL CARE

UNCLAS VATICAN 004572

SIPDIS


DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (Levin); S/GAC FOR Tobias and Dybul

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM SOCI TBIO VT
SUBJECT: WORLD AIDS DAY: VATICAN CALLS FOR TOTAL CARE

Ref: a) 03 Vatican 3971; b) 03 Vatican 5427; c) Vatican

1389


1. The Vatican has called for total care and services for
persons with HIV/AIDS in its 2004 message for World AIDS
Day. The message, from the head of the Vatican's Council
for Health Care issues, Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan,
reports that the Catholic Church provides almost 27 percent
of care worldwide to persons with HIV/AIDS. This includes
care given in clinics and hospices, as well as treatment
and prevention programs (reftels). Cardinal Barragan
called for an end to the stigma that "so often makes
society harsh in relation to the AIDS victim" and then
pointed out that HIV infection can occur through blood
transfusions, mother-child transmission, and sexual
contact.

2.QCardinal Barragan urged effective measures to combat
virus transmission, including responsible behavior, the
"virtue of chastity" and marital fidelity. He said
policies to combat HIV/AIDS should include support for
social and economic stability, economic solidarity from
industrialized nations for poorer countries, reduction of
the cost of anti-retroviral treatments, and information
campaigns focused on mother-child transmission. He called
for expanded care for HIV-positive infants and AIDS
orphans, and for the elimination of discrimination against
persons with HIV/AIDS. The Cardinal said his department
was working closely with African bishops at the express
wish of Pope John Paul II to confront the pandemic on that
continent. Barragan has also created a coordination
mechanism within his Council to facilitate requests for
assistance and funding from smaller Catholic entities
working on HIV/AIDS care, prevention, and treatment.


3. Comment: The Holy See remains an increasingly
committed partner in global efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, and
is devoting increasing personnel and resources to support
international prevention and treatment efforts. Its reach
and influence in the developing world make it a key partner
for education and prevention campaigns, particularly in
implementing elements "A" and "B" of the Administration's
"A-B-C"(Abstain, Be faithful, Use Condoms) policy to combat
the pandemic. End Comment.

Nicholson