WCC NEWS: On World AIDS Day, “we remember them and name them in our hearts”

Gathering the ecumenical family for an online prayer service on World AIDS Day, the World Council of Churches remembered the more than 30 million people who have died from AIDS from the beginning of the HIV pandemic, and the nearly 40 million people who are currently living with HIV.

02 December 2020

“We remember them and name them in our hearts,” they prayed from across the globe. “We lament for those and others who are the most vulnerable in our communities.” Those praying also listened, via a video message, to a young Christian woman living with HIV. “Yes, God heals but the process through which God heals is the medical treatment,” she said. She also urged people to pray for those facing stigma. “You fear that they will stigmatize you,” she said. “We live without the courage to share our status with people. That is unfair. We have financial problems, we have educational problems. It is not easy to live with HIV.” The prayer service also held many notes of hope for the future as it reflected on the theme “Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility.” In a second video message, another young woman said: “As a child of God I have confidence that faith leaders across the globe will contribute to make a difference by involving society at large.” The global prayer ended on a note of hope—“We pray that you grant us the grace to help make this happen”—as those from across the world exchanged greetings of peace. Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance

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