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Organisers, resource persons and church leaders pose for a group photo at the advocacy programme on HIV and AIDS harm reduction in Kohima on Thursday.[/caption]
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 17 : The church has looked upon the pandemic of HIV and AIDS as a judgment of God on its victims. But this view 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.
This was stated by NBCC general secretary Rev Dr Z Keyho at the advocacy programme on HIV and AIDS and harm reduction with church leaders held at NBCC Platinum Hall, Bayavü on Thursday. The programme was jointly organised by Kripa Foundation, NBCC, NSACS and FHI 360 to sensitise faith-based organisations to ensure collective response.
Speaking the pivotal role that a church can play towards HIV and AIDS prevention, care and treatment in the State, Rev Keyho explained that church can dispense more grace and more compassion in reaching out to the hurting and people who are suffering outside the church.
Church being a redemptive community, he said, its ministering should not only be confined to the redeemed but also redeeming the fallen. Hence, he strongly advocated the need for the church to 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 it by way of reaching out to people in need,” he added.
Observing that the church has for too long looked upon PLHIVs, Dr Keyho said pastors and church workers must build bridges and take into their fold the drug addicts, the alcoholic and the HIV and AIDS affected people who need to be reached out and ministered to as constituent members.
Underlining the urgent need to reach out to the unreached with the high HIV prevalence rate in the state, Dr Keyho reminded the church leaders that ‘as clergy we must admit our brokenness only then can we learn to reach out to broken people in love and in compassion.’
The church leaders were also challenged to dispense grace in compassion and love, and together reach out to the hurting, suffering world with the love of God brining healing, care and comfort to the areas where it is needed most. “The spirituality of the church must be holy worldly,”added Dr Keyho.
Earlier, Dr Vezo, NSACS, gave a brief presentation on the HIV scenario and services available in Nagaland while Temjen from FHI 360 presented an overview of its response to HIV and AIDS in the State and Executive Director, CABA NBCC, Dr Joyce Angami gave a presentation on overcoming stigma and discrimination relating to HRGs in the context of HIV and AIDS.
