Fr Emmanuel Pierre says the Church is infected with HIV/AIDS. “The Church is one body in Christ and when any part of that body - any one person is infected - we are all infected,” he explained as he delivered the sermon at a September 28 Mass to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (CRN+).

Fr Pierre told the small congregation of CRN+ staff, members and representatives from partner organisations gathered at St Patrick’s Church, Newtown, that stigma and discrimination presents a significant obstacle to the work of organisations such as CRN+.

“You are involved in the struggle to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS in our communities”, he said, pointing out that discrimination is widespread – even within the Church, where individuals may be ostracised because of their HIV-positive status. 

Fr Pierre also highlighted instances where the Church embraced persons living with HIV and AIDS and condemned discrimination. 

He called on each individual present to remember the healing ministry of the Church and to pray for forgiveness for the times when that ministry failed members of the body of Christ.

In conclusion he congratulated CRN+ on its 10th Anniversary and its ongoing commitment to empowering and supporting persons infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS through advocacy, research, partnership, capacity building and resource mobilisation. Fr Pierre later blessed the Secretariat’s Woodbrook offices.

www.crnplus.org