ETHIOPIAN PATRIARCH A CRITICAL ALLY ON THE BATTLEFRONT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 001652

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E AND S/GAC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO EAID KHIV SOCI OEXC ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIAN PATRIARCH A CRITICAL ALLY ON THE BATTLEFRONT
AGAINST HIV/AIDS


1. SUMMARY. The Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Abuna
Petros, and the Ambassador appeared at a public event on May 23 to
advocate for HIV/AIDS victims to take antiretroviral treatment
(ART),not just traditional holy water alone, as treatment for their
disease. Hundreds of worshippers, most of whom were HIV-positive,
heard the Patriarch stress that taking holy water alone was not the
answer to fighting HIV/AIDS. The significance of this event was the
Patriarch's strong determination to speak out in support of ART and
the HIV/AIDS strategy developed by the U.S. Mission President's
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) team in coordination with
the Ministry of Health and other Ethiopian government agencies. It
was also important because it publicized the existence of a nearby
medical clinic dispensing free ART supported by PEPFAR. (Note: ART
treatment in Ethiopia is provided free of charge throughout the
public health system with significant PEPFAR, Global Fund and other
partner support.) END SUMMARY.

--------------
FAITH AND SCIENCE WORKING HAND-IN-HAND
--------------


2. The event, organized by the Public Diplomacy Working Group of
PEPFAR/Ethiopia, took place at historic Entoto Mariam Church, the
highest point in Addis Ababa and one of three dozen sites in the
country known among Christians and Muslims alike for the potency of
alleged cures brought about by its holy water. Recently, the Entoto
site had drawn approximately 3,000 Ethiopians, most of whom were
presumed to be HIV-positive, with some 8-9 deaths occurring daily.
People at the site relied solely on holy water, with people
previously on ART abandoning medical treatment. Journalists held an
hour-long discussion with persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)
undergoing the "dual" treatment and then went to the church to hear
the Patriarch urge HIV/AIDS victims to take ART in conjunction with
holy water, to improve their quality of life. Following the event,
the press engaged the Patriarch, the Ambassador and several holy
water recipients with many questions.

-------------- --
A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT FOOD SECURITY IS A PROBLEM
-------------- --


3. The Patriarch called on those affected by the virus to consider
returning to their communities once they start ART, and becoming
productive citizens once again. He also called on the U.S. and
other donors to help PLWHA by ensuring that they received adequate
food and other resources in addition to ART, and by helping them
overcome discrimination in their communities by creating jobs for
them.


4. The Ambassador praised the Patriarch's courageous advocacy of
ART, a position the Patriarch only recently adopted (due in large
part to the hard work of PEPFAR partners Johns Hopkins University
and International Orthodox Christian Charities.) The Ambassador
also stressed the importance for HIV/AIDS victims to leave the
churches and return to their communities where they can now (thanks
to the efforts of PEPFAR and the Ministry of Health) continue to
receive ART as well as family and community support. Calling them
'messengers,' the Ambassador said that these PLWHA can help break
down prejudice and overcome stigma and discrimination.


5. The Ambassador pointed out that the U.S. was the largest
bilateral donor of food assistance in Ethiopia, and will continue to
make major investments in increasing food production, creating jobs,
and providing support for women and other vulnerable groups to
overcome discrimination on the basis of their HIV status. The
Ambassador stressed that helping victims of HIV/AIDS to obtain
gainful employment and support in their local communities must come
about through a partnership in which both countries are working
cooperatively.

--------------
MEDIA AMPLIFY THE MESSAGE
--------------


6. The event was well covered by both local and international media.
The same day, the Voice of America Amharic Service broadcast a
report on the event by a local stringer in which several
HIV/AIDS-affected people who were taking holy water at the church
shared their views on the pronouncements of the Patriarch and the
Ambassador. Some said that this was the first time they heard the
Church saying that ART and holy water do not conflict with one
another. One said he had been taking holy water exclusively for the
last five years. "Previously, we were told that it is a sin to take
medicine and holy water at the same time. People have been dying
because they were told not to take both at the same time." Another
person who had been exclusively taking holy water for the last three
months expressed the view that it was not only the Church but
society as well that told people to choose either holy water or ART.
"Society," he said, "advises that if one has faith, one should take
only holy water. This is what the person who administers holy water

ADDIS ABAB 00001652 002.2 OF 002


and his assistants also advocate." Some of those taking holy water
at the Church told the VOA that they were ready to convey the
message to others and to start taking the medicine.


7. COMMENT. The issue of Holy Water vs. ART became an issue over
the past year when public health professionals working on HIV/AIDS
realized that people were abandoning ART in favor of holy water.
Orthodox priests - on their own - were telling the people to take
only holy water. At that time, there was no church position on the
issue. Once this matter was brought to the attention of the
Patriarch and the Holy Synod, they ruled in favor of compatibility.
The Patriarch's explanation of the Church's position at this event
was an important message, that the two approaches to treating
HIV/AIDS are in fact compatible. By advocating ART, the Patriarch
has helped promote constructive dialogue. In impressing upon the
people to return to their communities, Addis Ababa will avoid
becoming overwhelmed by new arrivals of HIV/AIDS victims from rural
areas. Interestingly, at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church there were
many Muslims, a striking mix of Christians and Muslims facing common
problems with shared solutions, praying together with an Orthodox
Patriarch. Amplified by the media, including coverage by local
television, radio and print media, as well as several international
news organizations, the event sent a powerful message to the
community that the Patriarch's position is to have religious issues
and scientific practicality work hand-in-hand. The PEPFAR/Ethiopia
team is funding programs by the Development and Inter-Church Aid
Commission (DICAC) of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church as well as by
the Ethiopian Muslim Development Association for messaging and
awareness on HIV/AIDS. END COMMENT.

YAMAMOTO