20 December 2006
Embassy Hosts Conference to Mark World AIDS Day and the 25 th Anniversary of the First Reporting of the HIV Virus, December 20, 2006
The United States Embassy to the Holy See hosted a conference to mark World AIDS Day and the 25 th anniversary of the first reporting of the HIV virus at Villa Aurelia in Rome on December 20 th. The conference featured speakers representing the Catholic Church, the United Nations, Eli Lilly & Company, and two Catholic NGOs. The keynote speaker was Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, the President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care who addressed the Church’s role in the global fight against AIDS. Additional presentations were made by Ms. Karen Stanecki of UN AIDS, Fr, Bob Vitillo of Caritas Internationalis, Dr, Patrizia Carvelaro of Eli Lilly & Company, and Professor Leonardo Palombi of Sant’Egidio’s Drug Resource Enhancement against AIDS and Malnutrition (DREAM) project.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Francis Rooney highlighted the United States’ 15 billion dollar commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) active in 120 countries. The Ambassador stressed the need for collaboration between faith-based and secular organizations in battling HIV/AIDS. He made a special note of the excellent work being done by faith-based organizations throughout the world, including many Catholic NGOs.
Keynote speaker Cardinal Lozano Barragan, President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, presented comprehensive overview of the AIDS pandemic today, highlighting how the Catholic Church is fighting the disease in developing countries. The Cardinal pointed out that 27% of the AIDS care given throughout the world is administered by the Catholic Church, most recently by the Good Samaritan Foundation. The Good Samaritan Foundation is a Catholic organization that provides free anti-retrovirals to the neediest AIDS patients.
Karen Stanecki of UNAIDS gave a global overview of the continuing spread of HIV/AIDS and noted the increase in infections among women and children seen today. In her presentation, Ms. Stanecki featured the field work of Caritas Internationalis as a best practice.
Father Bob Vitillo of Caritas Internationalis explained that this Catholic confederation of 162 member organizations throughout the world distributes anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs), providing education and hospice, as well as care for those orphaned by AIDS. Caritas also advocates for the rights of those afflicted by the pandemic; lobbying for protective legislation including the right to health care and against discrimination or persecution for AIDS victims. Caritas bases its program upon the tenets of the dignity of the human person, gender equity, social justice, preferential options for the poor, and solidarity.
Dr. Patrizia Carlevaro of Eli Lilly & Company addressed the pharmaceutical aspect of the battle against HIV/AIDS, noting the development of new drugs to combat the evolving virus. Secondary illnesses were the focus of her presentation, specifically the run-away prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) in AIDS patients due to their weakened immune systems.
Professor Leonardo Palombi of the Sant’Egidio DREAM project described the holistic approach the group uses in combating HIV/AIDS; fighting not only the virus, but also malnutrition in order to make victims stronger so that they are better able to combat the disease. DREAM is focused on providing care in Africa through a program that is completely free for HIV/AIDS sufferers and provides anti-retroviral drugs, hospice care, food and education.
For further information, please consult the websites of our speakers’ organizations listed below. Additionally, see their complete conference presentations on this site below.
Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care
Sant’Egidio DREAM Project
Caritas Internationalis
UN AIDS
