WCC NEWS: At international AIDS conference, “every stone has a name and a story”

In the busyness of AIDS 2024, the 25th International AIDS Conference in Munich, Germany, people of faith met for a moment of silence, reflection, and prayer under the theme "Sustaining Hope for All: Remembering, Celebrating, and Praying for a Future without AIDS." Rev. Edwin C. Sanders and a young woman from India honouring a person who lost their life to an AIDS-related condition. Photo: MCK/WCC 25 July 2024 The service, held at the Kulur-Etage, a short walk from the conference centre, was coordinated by the Interfaith Health Platform, of which the World Council of Churches is a member. Participants received greetings from local faith leaders: Dean Björn Wagner of the Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Munich-Freising; Bishop Thomas Prieto Pera, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria; and Musa Celik, chairman of the Alevi community for Bavaria. Rev. Edwin C. Sanders II, Metropolitan Interdenominational Church, USA, invited those present to bring forward a stone and say aloud the name of someone who has died from AIDS-related illnesses whose memory they honour and love. The growing pile of stones was a silent testimony of the lost lives and the pain of 40 years of the pandemic. Jama Hanshi, Islamic Relief Worldwide, expressed gratitude for the developments and hope for the future, “We thank you, Lord, for what we are seeing, and we are more hopeful that with Your support, we can see the end of the suffering getting closer and closer.” In her reflection on Luke 8:43-48, Rev. Dr Sande Bailey-Gwinn of Foundations for Living, USA, emphasized “healing hope” and that staying involved in HIV ministry required a "heart decision" and a willingness to continue to be transformed. Participants recommitted to being beacons of hope, support, and love for all individuals, particularly those living with HIV, in pledges to promote compassion and understanding, provide support and care, encourage prevention, testing and treatment, advocate for inclusivity and non-discrimination, and educate and raise awareness. Referring to the stones, Rev. Jane Ng'ang'a, representing the International Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV (INERELA+) Kenya and the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network, said, “We have put down the weights burdening ourselves and others. But now a pile of stones remains in front. Many of our religious texts refer to stones as symbols of strength, as building materials, and as materials used in commemoration. May we also use the symbol of these stones as building blocks for a new building, where we create safe and sacred spaces for all.” "Hope is front and centre at interfaith pre-conference to AIDS 2024" (WCC news release, 22 July 2024) "Role of faith action highlighted in UNAIDS report and launch" (WCC news release, 23 July 2024) Photo gallery of the 24th International AIDS Conference Faith leaders reading pledges on behalf of those present. Photo: MCK/WCC See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland