HIV/AIDS update

by Reverend Paul A. Schumacher

"Repeat, Repeat, Repeat!"

This is the call going out from those who are in the know about what is happening in the world of HIV/AIDS. For a number of years, we have done very well in the education of HIV/AIDS. But, we seem to have forgotten that - ‘Repetition is the Mother of learning’ - when it comes to education in HIV/AIDS. Because we have not been diligent in delivering the basic information about HIV/AIDS we are seeing an increase in the rates of HIV infection.

Minnesota’s young people are at particular risk - 42% of new HIV cases reported in 2000 were among Minnesotans in their 30s. Young people in their teens and twenties accounted for 30% of new cases. (MAP AIDSline Brief - Aug./Sept. 2001)

Our education must include preparing our young people how to make healthy and moral choices to reduce the continued spread of this pandemic. This disease is preventable. We must constantly remind ourselves of this. The Catholic church has been most active in this endeavor. But, we must not let up, in fact, we must now regroup and repeat and repeat our efforts. Numbers are on the rise.

Our education must include how t make healthy and moral choices - the facts about HIV - self esteem - family communication and support - trust and confidentiality - youth-friendly approaches.

We are called as a church to speak out for justice and human dignity. We are called as a church and as individuals to challenge ourselves and our government to address in a very practical way the spread of this pandemic especially among the world’s poor and marginalized.

Father Paul A. Schumacher is Coordinator of HIV/AIDS Ministry for the Diocese of New Ulm. He can be reached at 307 W. 4th Street, Canby, MN 56220; (507) 223-7304.