HIV/AIDS Update

by Father Paul A. Schumacher

This summer the National Catholic HIV/AIDS Ministry Conference was held at Loyola University in Chicago, IL. The theme was Proclaim Jubilee in which all were asked to "practice Sabbath, forgive debts of those who may have criticized us as people living with HIV/AIDS and as care providers, and to proclaim the freedom that comes from the practice of global justice." As members of the National Catholic AIDS Network, we endorse their Mission Statement:

"Giving witness to the Lord Jesus Christ who brings light in all darkness, the National Catholic AIDS Network assists the church in recognizing the pain and unique challenges inherent in the HIV/AIDS pandemic and in living out the Gospel mandate by offering compassionate support, education, referral, and technical assistance."

A bit of a review of some of the numbers:

- 6,252 cases of HIV have been reported in Minnesota and 2,194 of these people have died;

- an estimated 2,600 people living in Minnesota don’t know that they’re infected;

- there is one new diagnosed HIV infection in Minnesota every 28 hours;

- in the United States, 50% of new infections are among young people in their teens and twenties;

(Taken from Map AIDSLINE Brief - Vol. 6 Issue 5, August 2000)

There is fear among experts at the present time that there will be an upsurge of the disease after a decade of stability. AIDS infections in the United States have fallen dramatically since they peaked in the 1980s, but there is worry among health officials that complacency has set in. "I’m scared by the trends we are starting to see," said Dr. Helen Gayle, AIDS chief at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Presently, there are Support Groups in Willmar, Mankato, and Minneapolis. The Diocese of New Ulm is part of these Support Groups. There is discussion with Rural AIDS Action Network about forming a new group in southwestern Minnesota.

If anyone would like information concerning any of the existing groups or the possible new group, please contact Father Paul A. Schumacher, 307 W 4th St., Canby, MN 56220; (507) 223-7304. www.dnu.org

Fr. Paul A. Schumacher is pastor at St. Peter parish, Canby, MN.