AEGiS-IRIN: SOUTH AFRICA: Anglican Church joins HIV testing campaigns

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

SOUTH AFRICA: Anglican Church joins HIV testing campaigns

Integrated Regional Information Networks - December 1, 2005

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 1 December (PLUSNEWS) - South Africa's Anglican Diocese of Johannesburg and New Start HIV counselling and testing centres have signed an agreement ahead of World AIDS Day on 1 December to provide voluntary counselling and testing services from the 75 parishes in the Diocese.

Announcing the joint campaign on Wednesday, Bishop Brian Germond said the church could no longer be silent on the issue, as some of the church's HIV-positive congregation looked to the Church for guidance.

"The agreement with New Start cannot have come at a better time. As a diocese we would like to commemorate World AIDS Day by taking definite steps in the fight against [the pandemic]," Germond said in a statement.

Through the agreement, the 75 parishes in the Anglican Diocese of Johannesburg will provide logistical and community mobilisation support to New Start.

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