AEGiS-Miami Herald: Some churches welcome AIDS victims

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1994. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Some churches welcome AIDS victims

Miami Herald - Sunday, December 25, 1994
Herald Staff

At first I was shocked to read the story of Philadelphia's Old Ship of Zion Church rejecting persons with AIDS. Then I remembered that not all Christians act in a Christian way and that Christ called us to "love one another, as He loves us" (John 15:12) without regard for whether we have a terminal disease. God's love is unconditional.

Prejudice, fear, and judgmentalism abound, not only in our society but also in our churches. Church members who sit in the pews on Sunday are also full-time members of the community.

There are Christian and Jewish congregations that are not filled with hate, that are not closing the doors on those infected and affected by HIV virus. As the HIV/AIDS ministry director for Catholic Community Services in Broward County, and working as part of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Miami, I assure the community that we do not close our doors on the sick and suffering. Catholic Community Services has had a full-time AIDS ministry for nearly three years and has provided counseling, education programs, care teams, support groups, and pastoral care for persons living with HIV/AIDS.

We take seriously Christ's gospel to serve our community's poor, sick, and marginalized, regardless of their religious affiliation. Prejudice like that of the Old Ship of Zion Church makes me sad that we have given God such a bad rap. So often God gets the blame for our own judgmentalism. Jesus shows us how to love one another: He went out to society's outcasts. By His example we, His followers, are called to do the same, to be witnesses of God's love and compassion.

Anyone affected by HIV virus who needs help may call me at Catholic Community Services, (305) 522-2513, and we will do whatever we can to assist you. God did not create this disease, but He is counting on us to work hard to eradicate it and to be His hands and feet of compassionate love to those who suffer from it and their loved ones. Your call is expected.

Father Dennis Rausch

Catholic Community Services

Fort Lauderdale
941225
MH941208

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