Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 17
A one day advocacy programme on HIV and AIDS and harm reduction with church leaders, jointly organized by Kripa Foundation, NBCC, NSACS & FHI 360 took place here today at NBCC Platinum Hall.
Speaking at the programme, Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) General Secretary, Rev Dr Z Keyho said that the view that HIV and AIDS is a judgment of God is “history” and “now the church is also entering into the ministry of reaching out, caring and showing compassion though much is desired to be done.”
He said the programme is an opportunity for the church leaders to educate themselves so that the church can dispense more grace and more compassion to reaching out.
“One image of the church is being a redemptive community and this is not only confined to ministering to the redeemed but also redeeming the fallen, the hurting and people who are suffering outside of the church. The church must become a truly redemptive, inclusive community-a kinder, a gentler community of faith and love. We must dispense grace not only within the four walls of the church but also outside of the church by way of reaching out to people in need,” Rev Dr Keyho said.
As pastors and church workers, he said, we must view drug addicts, alcoholics, and people with HIV and AIDS as constituent members needing to be reached out and ministered to.
“We must build bridges,” he said and quoted Henri JM Nouwen as saying: “what I have to offer to others is not my intelligence, skill, power, influence, or connections, but my own brokenness through which the love of God can manifest itself.” As clergy we must admit our brokenness only then can we learn to reach out to broken people in love and in compassion, he said.
Challenging church leaders to dispense grace in compassion and love, he said “Together we can reach out to our hurting, suffering world with the love of God bringing healing, care and comfort to areas where it is needed most. The spirituality of the church must be holy worldly.”
Talking on overcoming stigma and discrimination relating to HRGs in context of HIV and AIDS, Dr. Joyce Angami said stigma can be defined as “negative thoughts about a person or group based on a prejudiced position.” She said stigma is driven by fear, ignorance and prejudice, adding that discrimination is action that results from stigma – the unfair and unjust treatment of an individual.
Dr. Rose Chakhesang meanwhile spoke on drug use and its co-relation with HIV and AIDS, other risk groups and their vulnerability towards HIV and AIDS harm reduction, while representative from NSACS gave an overview of HIV and AIDS scenario in the state.
