NATIONAL BLACK CATHOLIC APOSTOLATE FOR LIFE
WITNESSING THE GOSPEL OF LOVE AND THE GOSPEL OF LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY
c/o St. Clare Friary
440 West 36th Street New York, N.Y. 10018-6326
Voice: 212.868.1847
email: tnbcalife@aol.com

 News Release                                                              News Release
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

African American & African Catholics

Encouraged to Observe

WORLD AIDS DAY

 December 1, 2009

Sisters and Brothers let us as African American and African Catholics remember our brothers and sisters throughout the world who are affected by HIV and AID on this World AIDS Day 2009, stated Franciscan Father James E. Goode, OFM, President of the National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life.

December 1, 2009 World AIDS Day is a day when we remember those who have died from AIDS. World AIDS Day is an opportunity for individuals and group from across the world to come together to pray, remember, and demonstrate support to, people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.

The National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life strongly encourages everyone to mark World AIDS Day 2009 by engaging in some form of worship, workshop, event, or advocacy focused on HIV and AIDS.

The global theme for 2009 and 2010 World AIDS Day is "Universal Access and Human rights" chosen by the World AIDS Campaign, a network of civil society groups active in the response to HIV and AIDS, including EAA.

The theme this year encourages us to deepen our understanding, develop partnerships and challenge discriminatory laws, and practices that stand in the way of access for all to HIV prevention, treatment, care and loving support.

Let us as Catholic-Christians remember that when human rights are not respected, people living with HIV and AIDS are vulnerable to stigma and discrimination, illness, economic insecurity, and reduced access to treatment.

We are encouraged that over the past years there have been some major advances in the global response to HIV and AIDS.   The National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life has seen increased commitment around the world to respond to HIV and AIDS in national and local initiatives, in churches and religious organizations and in civil society.

On this World AIDS Day 2009 let us join the world in solidarity as we help to promote universal access, human dignity and respect and protect the human rights of every person living with or affected by HIV.  

 

The National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life was inaugurated in the fall of 1997, with the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus and the Franciscan Solid Ground Ministry as sponsors and with the support of John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop of New York and the Archdiocese's Office of Black Ministry.