Camillians join one voice in ASIA to stop HIV and AIDS

“We should have one voice in Asia as a Church!” exclaimed Fr. Gerry Novotny, OMI, a missionary from Japan, as he shared his experiences with the participants of the First Workshop of Asia-Pacific Catholic HIV/AIDS Network. He made this statement in the context of  his exposure to institutions caring for people living with HIV and AIDS in Chonburi and Pattaya in Thailand.

Travelling from 16 countries, 97 representatives from several Catholic organizations involved in the ministry with persons and communities living with and affected by HIV and AIDS, convened last May 12-15, 2010 at the Camillian Pastoral Care Center (CPCC), Lat Krabang, Thailand. The workshop aimed to sharpen the response to HIV/AIDS  of  the Catholic Church in Asia and the Pacific, to dialogue about the AIDS Ministry between Catholic organizations in Asia and funding agencies, to build close relationships and cooperation among Catholic organizations  in Asia and the Pacific, to promote and sustain the spiritual strength of Catholic individuals and organizations involved in the HIV/AIDS ministry, to dialogue and promote concerted efforts to reduce the new HIV infections  in collaboration with other religions, taking into account different beliefs and government policies.

The participants came from Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam. There were also five representatives of the Church’s donor agencies from Australia, UK and USA, and three resource speakers from Caritas Internationalis, UNAIDS and Catholic Medical Mission Board.

The Camillians who were present were Fr. Giovanni Contarin, Fr. Pairat Rocco Sripasert, Fr. Pachawi Peter Sengcharoen, and Fr. Siranon Sanpetch from Thailand, Fr. Mathew Perumpil from India, Fr. Evan Paul Villanueva, Bros. Dan Cancino, Jr., and Eric Tampis from the Philippines, Fr. John Toai from Vietnam, Fr. Luigi Galvani and Bro. Andi Suparman from Indonesia and Fr. Giovanni Rizzi from Taiwan.

A one-day pre-conference was convened on May 11, 2010 among Catholic institutions and congregations to discuss different moral and Catholic responses to the issues accompanying HIV and AIDS.  The workshop which started May 12 opened with the Eucharist presided by SER Mgr. Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio to India. This was followed by the presentations of children living with HIV and AIDS from the Camillian institutions in Rayong, Bangkok and Phanat Nhikom.  Then, a series of talks followed which dealt with the situation of HIV and AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, the critical challenge of HIV and AIDS for faith-based communities (HIV/AIDS being not only a health crisis but a dilemma that affects basic human dignity and human rights), the partnership with international organizations like UNAIDS, and others.

The second day covered the different reports from every country with existing Catholic responses to HIV and AIDS followed by discussions on the gaps and challenges that each country experience. A spicy social night was organized for the participants to show their talents. An exposure to the different HIV and AIDS centers thrilled the participants on the third day. The assembly was divided into three groups: first group went to Chonburi-Pattaya, the second to Bangkok, and the third to Rayong. Everyone came back full of inspiration and learning. The last day was the time to discuss the network and its purpose. The workshop culminated with a Eucharist presided over by Bishop Philip Banchong Chaiyara, President of the Episcopal Commission for Social Ministries in Thailand, where the result of the workshop was presented focusing on the concerns and strategic plans for the next 5 years.

The Camillian spirit was very alive throughout the workshop because most of those who attended are active in the HIV and AIDS ministry in their respective country. Fr. Giovani Contarin chaired the Catholic Committee on HIV-AIDS under the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Thailand and also the chairman of the organizing committee of the workshop; Fr. Mathew Perumpil gave a talk on the theological foundation of caring for people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS, Fr. John Toai is the head of the Catholic committee on the care of PLWHA under the Catholic Bishops Conference of Vietnam; Bro. Dan Cancino Jr. gave the country report on the Philippines and represented the Catholic HIV-AIDS Network under the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. Fr. Evan Paul Villanueva, Bros. Dan, Eric and Andi formed the secretariat of the workshop.

Indeed, the four-day workshop gave all the participants a chance to listen and learn from each country’s experiences and encouraged each one to form ONE VOICE in ASIA in STOPPING HIV and AIDS.