Episcopal Press and News
Convention Calls For Compassionate Aids Response
Episcopal News Service. September 19, 1985 [85182]
ANAHEIM, Calif. (DPS, Sept. 19) -- AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) was a subject which deeply concerned Episcopalians gathered here for the 68th General Convention.
A resolution, passed by Convention, "recognizes with love and compassion the tragic human suffering and loss of life involved" in the epidemic and repudiates "any and all indiscriminate statements which condemn or reject" AIDS victims. The latter is intended to address discrimination not only against those diagnosed as having AIDS but against their families and associates, who are also victims of fear based on misinformation about the disease.
The resolution goes on to charge the Executive Council with five tasks: the development of special intercessory prayers for people affected by the crisis; development and funding of programs of awareness, education and prevention; identification and funding of programs of ministry to those affected by AIDS; implementation of the above programs by March 1986 by appropriate program units of dioceses, parishes and missions; and a report back at the 69th General Convention on results.
In addition, the resolution requests the Presiding Bishop to "establish and lead a National Day of Prayer and Healing with special intention for the AIDS crisis, and to communicate the concerns presented in this resolution to the President of the United States and all members of the Congress of the United States urging long term, substantial federal funding for research."
Following the vote in the House of Bishops, Bishop William Swing of California sponsored a meeting -- attended by 40 bishops -- with the Parsonage, a San Francisco-based outreach ministry designed to bring reconciliation between the Diocese of California and the gay community of that city. During the meeting, representatives of the Parsonage presented information on AIDS, after which those present discussed future action. Participants felt that an immediate pastoral response was needed, and clergy conferences were seen as the "best and most immediate approach," with clergy then providing material to their parishes.
The result of the meeting was a request that the Presiding Bishop appoint a task force regarding the AIDS crisis, the initial meeting to take place in San Francisco not later that March 6, 1986. On March 5-7, the Diocese of California and the Parsonage will be hosting a symposium on pastoral ministry during the AIDS crisis, to which Swing has invited a delegation from each diocese.
In his address to the Convention, Presiding Bishop-elect Edmond L. Browning expressed his pleasure at the actions of Convention regarding response to persons with AIDS. He added, "I assure you that I will fulfill those portions of the resolution asked of the Presiding Bishop."
Later in the week, the House of Bishops endorsed Swing's work in the fight against AIDS and approved a resolution endorsing the request for a task force.
In conjunction with these events, copies were circulated of Swing's pastoral letter regarding the use of the common cup at Communion during the AIDS crisis -- a matter of concern to many people. In the letter, Swing notes that although the AIDS virus has been found in saliva, no case of the disease has been traced to saliva. While there is precedent for episcopal "directives" prohibiting the common cup during epidemics, Swing is refusing to issue one, owing to the lack of evidence that AIDS can be transmitted by the common cup.
Instead, he called "upon the pastoral and best instincts of all heterosexual and homosexual relations of God's family at this time of epidemic." He goes on to "beg... pastoral understanding" for those who now feel they can receive only the bread -- both those who fear contracting AIDS and those with the disease who fear bacteria their systems can no longer effectively combat.
In closing, Swing promised to keep up with medical evidence regarding AIDS and the common cup, and said, "As for me, I intend, when I celebrate, to eat the bread at the beginning of the holy meal, and at the end after everyone has drunk from the chalice, I intend to receive from the cup."