Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
BBC News - Wednesday, 26 November, 2003
They lined up to take the tests at the eighth assembly of the All Africa Conference of Churches to encourage others to know their HIV status.
The AACC secretary general told the BBC that anyone who tested positive would be supported by other church leaders.
Bishop Mvume Dandala also urged those who were HIV positive to reveal their status to fight the stigma of HIV/Aids.
"I think it is important for people like that to come out into the open and for us all as a church to learn how to handle one another in a responsible way," he said.
Candlelit procession
AACC spokesman Ekuma Mbella told BBC NewsOnline that the church leaders had taken their tests in a "jovial" atmosphere.
The 800 leaders represent more than 150 churches and 39 countries.
Later on Wednesday, the church leaders will hold a candlelit procession through Yaounde in solidarity with those who are HIV positive.
African churches have different views on how best to tackle the spread of Aids - whether to concentrate on encouraging abstinence or promoting the use of condoms.
Bishop Dandala suggested a compromise.
"Churches should be upfront about encouraging people to use condoms if they are not able to abstain," he told the BBC's World Today programme.
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