ANERELA, the compassion Umbrella for Clergy and all living with HIV

Mexico 2nd August, 2008: It was difficult for Gracia Violeta founder of first Bolivian organization for People Living with HIV to disclose her status. A rape survivor, Gracia struggled to come to terms with her diagnosis and disclose to her family and friends. She comes from a religious family -- her father is an evangelical Christian pastor. It took years for her to tell her congregation.

Four years ago she knew about ANERELA which helped her to disclose her status. ‘ANERELA is an opportunity for the world to learn from Africa’- she said at the launch of International Network of Religious Leaders Living with or personally affected by HIV and AIDS (INERELA) at the Ecumenical Pre-conference in Mexico City.

INERELA is a global expansion of its sister network, Africa Network of Religious Leaders Living with or personally affected by HIV and AIDS (ANERELA) which was launched in 2003. INERELA a network operating jointly with ANERELA is a network of religious leaders both lay and ordained, women and men living with or affected by HIV and AIDS.


Regional representative from all continents light from one candle (symbolizing ANERELA) and representing the launch of INERELA. Picture G. Arende

HIV cases show no sign of abating and remain grossly stigmatizing even after twenty-five years of research and existence of the virus. In 2003 only a few courageous but isolated religious leaders in Africa lived openly with HIV, no network existed. Living with HIV was- as is too often still is- a lonely business. Today ANERELA has 3,500 members in five continents.

Programs Director for World Conference of Religions for Peace Mr. James Cairns noted that- ‘Even with stigma and unconstructive leadership, through ANERELA we have had leaders who accompany people living with HIV and AIDS’. Sentiments echoed by Dr. Manoj Kurian executive for health and healing at the World Council of Churches who said –‘ANERELA has provided a platform for engagement’ terming the organization ‘precious resource’.

Living to its mission - of equipping, empowering and engaging religious leaders, and being the agents of hope and change beyond faith; ANERELA has helped people of Islamic faith to talk about HIV and AIDS. ‘the greatest- are human beings who provide shoulder for other people to lean on’- said Cassiem Khan Islamic relief South African referring to support to unearth HIV and AIDS in Islam faith.

Rev. Christo Greyling ANERELA board chairperson indicated his delight in being involved with the launch of INERELA. He said- ‘We want to lift up what ANERELA has achieved; by focusing and broadening what we have learnt’ and Committed the organization-‘to be good stewards of the family’ in overcoming stigma, silence on HIV and AIDS.

‘Faith and AIDS is not like oil and water’-said Gracia informing that ‘people of faith also had AIDS’.

Linda Hartke Co-ordinator-Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance one of INERELA and ANERELA partners said- ‘We need to engage and create support to celebrate and encourage faith communities in responding to HIV and AIDS’.

By
George Arende