* FINAL VERSION - Concurred
Resolution A131
Title: Continue HIV/AIDS Standing Committee
Topic: HIV/AIDS
Committee: 10. Social and Urban Affairs
House of Initial Action: Bishops
Proposer: HIV/AIDS
Resolved,
the House of Deputies concurring,
That
the 75
th
General Convention authorize the continuation of the Executive Council Standing Committee on HIV/AIDS for the 2007-2009 Triennium; and be it further
Resolved
, That the Committee on HIV/AIDS focus on mechanisms for increasing HIV/AIDS awareness in our Church, reducing the effects of stigmatization by HIV/AIDS and continue the process of identifying those whom we are called to serve but may overlook; and be it further
Resolved
, That the Committee continue identifying the HIV/AIDS ministries and resources at all levels of the church, utilizing the resources of other organizations including but not limited to the National Episcopal AIDS Coalition and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America AIDS Network; and be it further
Resolved,
That the Committee on HIV/AIDS report to the Executive Council of the General Convention on the church’s response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic with attention to pertinent resolutions of General Convention.
EXPLANATION
HIV/AIDS continues to exact a heavy price from our church, our society, and the world through the reduction of general productivity among the nations, the destruction of family structures in some of the world's least stable societies, and the depletion of medical treatment resources from those least able to afford such a depletion. Ignorance about HIV/AIDS and the stigmatization of those infected and affected further exacerbates the problem. Many of those infected by HIV/AIDS remain hidden because of factors, such as racism, cultural stigma, and homophobia. We are obligated by our baptismal covenant vows to "…..seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself" and to "respect the dignity of every human being." (BCP 305) Ignorance and stigmatization create impediments to living out our baptismal covenant.
* Resolution is final but status and text are still under review before publication.