Rational Ancestors
Christ in Aids
The Sufis of Britain
Rites of Passage
Paul Tillich
Can Darwinism Explain Morality?
Spirituality and Culture
Poverty, suffering and HIV-AIDS
Globalisation and Difference
Halfway to Paradise
Sexuality and Spirituality
Health and Well Being
The sacred Tree

Heather Snidle and David Yeoman

This book was written for the Christian community particularly in developing countries. It arose from an invitation by the Heads of the main Churches in Lesotho, representing the Lesotho Council of Churches, to run workshop/training courses for clergy and religious to help lessen the impact of HIV/AIDS in Lesotho.

The Church is a highly valued, though an under-used resource, that could more effectively prevent the transmission of HIV and encourage and develop domiciliary care. HIV/Aids is preventable and Christians have no option but to be in the forefront of those committed to care and education. Churches have played a crucial part but much more remains to be done. Historically, the Church has always been in the forefront of compassionate care of the weak, sick and poor. It has a mandate to console, to reconcile, to love and to minister in unconditional acceptance. HIV/AIDS is an epidemic disease with a profound social effect. In countries both rich and poor it is a strain on health budgets and in poorer countries such as Africa it increasingly affects the economically active population who produce food, shelter and care for the young and old.

The objective of this book is to give clergy and religious groups a basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS, and an understanding of the needs of people with this virus. It aims to assist them in the pastoral care of victims, their loved ones and their carers, both professional and lay. This includes an understanding of what HIV/AIDS is, the modes of transmission, a basic understanding of testing, pre- and post-test counselling and the effect on the family and the wider community. A concerted attempt has been made to address the issue of HIV and AIDS within a theological and spiritual context: looking at what is ideal, the reality and what is unacceptable. This needs to fit into existing knowledge, culture and social fabric of responsibilities utilising existing skills.

ISBN 1-899025-09-X   £16.75