07001
January 2, 2007

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity challenges cultural norms around HIV/AIDS

Jan. 18-25 ‘Break the Silence’ draws on South African experience

by Jerry Van Marter

LOUISVILLE — The global Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is calling on Christians worldwide to ‘break the silence’ in responding to poverty and human suffering, particularly that brought on by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

     The annual week of prayer, prepared since 1968 by the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic Church, is scheduled for Jan. 18-25. Some churches, particularly in the southern hemisphere, celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity closer to Pentecost.

     This year’s week of prayer draws upon the experience of Christian communities in the South African region of Umlazi, a region deeply affected by unemployment and poverty but most of all by HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that 50% of the residents of Umlazi are infected with the virus.

     The HIV/AIDS devastation is exacerbated by the cultural taboo — ubunqunu — which forbids discussing matters relating to sexuality. According to church leaders in South Africa, they can only minister in such circumstances if Christians worldwide will “break the silence” with their prayers.

     "The human suffering caused by the HIV/AIDS pandemic and other dehumanizing forces threatens to overwhelm the divided churches,” the week of prayer planners said in a statement. “Christians and churches can, however, break the silence, speaking out with a single voice and reaching out as a single body, acting with compassion and in unity.”

     Week of Prayer resources include an introduction to the theme; a suggested ecumenical worship service which local churches are encouraged to adapt for their own particular liturgical, social and cultural contexts; biblical reflections and prayers for the week; and additional prayers from, and an overview of, the ecumenical situation in Umlazi.