Kirk in rethink over HIV victims

The Church of Scotland has admitted to turning its back on HIV and Aids sufferers, but says it now wants to create a more inclusive image in a new nationwide campaign.

The Kirk says that, in the past, it was unwelcoming towards HIV and Aids victims because the disease was associated with gay sex, promiscuity and drug abuse. Now it plans to make amends by encouraging congregations across Scotland to reach out to those affected by Aids "in their street and abroad".

The Rev Ken Ross, general secretary of the Board of World Mission, which is leading the campaign, said: "Where we feel there is an issue with the Church is that there have been cases where the Church has been seen to be unwelcoming and lacking in understanding. There was once a perception of Aids being associated with immorality and the Church then backed off, but it is really part of the Church's work. The Church is supposed to be like Jesus and open to all those who are afflicted.

"The aim is that congregations will be welcoming and supportive regardless of what the background is. If someone is affected, or someone in the family or community is affected, then the Church should be there for them. This is a major aim of the project. In the Church of Scotland we aim to be a national church, to be a church for everyone.

"Without compromising the beliefs of the Church we will be very open to the community and to all sections of it. If we do find that there are areas of failure, when we have been off-putting at a point of need, then it is time to address that."

The nationwide five-year campaign, which will involve distributing information packs and running special events in all churches, will be launched on World Aids Day on December 1.

Helping to alleviate the international Aids crisis, which has now affected more than 40 million people, two-thirds of whom live in the third world, will be a major part of the campaign. This will involve fundraising but also aims to encourage congregations to support partner churches overseas in the fight against Aids in their own countries. The theme of Aids is to become part of regular worship. But parishioners will also be asked to reach out to sufferers in their own town or village.

"Although in numerical terms we do not have HIV and Aids on the same scale in Scotland as in other countries, it is still a massive issue for those who are suffering and their families and so we are concerned that the Church will have an openness.

"We are asking church members to take a part by realising what HIV and Aids means in the world today. The scale of the crisis has really come home for us. That might mean reaching out to someone living down the street or making a financial contribution to Aids work in Africa," Ross added.

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