Four ecumenical bodies have welcomed the appointment of South Africa Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to head a revived South African National AIDS Council (SANAC).

The ecumenical bodies expressed their support in a joint letter sent earlier in the week on the eve of a national meeting to address South Africa’s AIDS crisis. The letter was signed by the secretary general of the World YWCA, Dr Musimbi Kanyoro; the secretary general of the World Alliance of YMCAs, Dr. Bartholomew Shaha; the general secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, the Rev Mvume Dandala; and the coordinator of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, Ms Linda Hartke.

In their letter, the ecumenical leaders stressed the importance of communication and cooperation between civil society and government. "No response to AIDS has been effective without the united efforts of all aspects of society,” they stated. more >>

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) - South Africa's death rate rose sharply over a seven-year period and the increase is partly due to the country's staggering AIDS epidemic, the government said.

The government statistical office said the death rate for women aged 20 to 39 had more than tripled between 1997 and 2004, and had more than doubled for men aged 30 to 44. It said those groups had the highest number of deaths from AIDS.

The report gave no estimate for the increase in HIV deaths, saying many AIDS-related deaths are attributed on death certificates to other causes. more >>

The World Council of Churches stated Wednesday that churches must advocate for people living with HIV and AIDS to have access to the treatments made available by medical science.

"Faith-based communities have a responsibility to advocate that antiretroviral treatments as well as treatment for other opportunistic infections be made available and accessible to all" who need them, the WCC central committee statement affirmed.

The statement also challenged churches to a greater commitment in fighting the pandemic and welcoming positive people into their communities. more >>

Four ecumenical bodies have welcomed the appointment of South Africa Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to head a revived South African National AIDS Council (SANAC).

The ecumenical bodies expressed their support in a joint letter sent earlier in the week on the eve of a national meeting to address South Africa’s AIDS crisis. The letter was signed by the secretary general of the World YWCA, Dr Musimbi Kanyoro; the secretary general of the World Alliance of YMCAs, Dr. Bartholomew Shaha; the general secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, the Rev Mvume Dandala; and the coordinator of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, Ms Linda Hartke.

In their letter, the ecumenical leaders stressed the importance of communication and cooperation between civil society and government. "No response to AIDS has been effective without the united efforts of all aspects of society,” they stated. more >>

LAKE FOREST, Calif. – Megachurch pastor Rick Warren presented his comprehensive strategy addressing the five ‘‘giant’’ problems in the world affecting billions of people as a solution to HIV/AIDS and other global problems during a Church and AIDS conference this week.

The global P.E.A.C.E. plan was presented on the second day of the Disturbing Voices conference – a meeting for pastors and church leaders about the role of the church in the HIV/AIDS pandemic - held at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., on Nov.19 - Dec. 1. The plan – whose acronym stands for Plant churches, Equip servant leaders, Assist the poor, Care for the sick, and Educate the next generation – is a global church-to-church plan to mobilize Christians to fight against the five “Global Goliaths.”

“God says nothing’s too hard for me. I can outdo anything you ask or imagine,” said Rick Warren, senior pastor of Saddleback Church and co-host of the conference. “I began to think about what are the biggest problems on this planet. I think God gets the most glory when we attack the biggest problems. When the little guy takes on Goliath, people go, ‘Yay God.’” more >>

The Baptist World Alliance on Thursday was asked to make HIV/AIDS a priority by creating a network of AIDS-related ministries and sharing information about Baptists working in the field, during the Alliance’s Centenary Congress.

An AIDS focus group reminded the Alliance that there are 39.4 million HIV-positive people in the world – about one for every Baptist – and that the church must “talk about controversial issues” rather than ignoring, stigmatizing and isolating the victims of AIDS.

“We have to teach people how to be abstinent and faithful, and to protect themselves,” said Sally Smith, a member of the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS, a UNAIDS initiative. “We have to create a loving welcome for everyone with AIDS—including the pastor.” more >>