Episcopal Press and News
Two New York Dioceses Act On AIDS Crisis
Episcopal News Service. October 31, 1985 [85219]
NEW YORK (DPS, Oct. 31) -- There are currently nearly 14,000 cases of severe AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) in the U.S. Nearly 5,000 of these are in New York state, most in New York City, and the Dioceses of New York and Central New York are among those which have recently been taking steps to deal with the crisis.
The response of the dioceses is, in part, a result of a resolution passed by the General Convention this September. That resolution repudiated "any and all indiscriminate statements which condemn or reject the victims of AIDS," called for the Executive Council to develop and fund various AIDS-related programs, and requested the Presiding Bishop to establish and lead a National Day of Prayer and Healing with special intentions for the AIDS crisis. It also supported "substantial federal funding for research."
At the diocesan convention held here in late October, the Rt. Rev. Paul Moore, Bishop of New York and chairman of Governor Mario Cuomo's Advisory Council on AIDS, reported on the latest medical information regarding transmission of AIDS and added, "there is absolutely no reason to be anxious about receiving Communion from the common cup. However, if someone is nervous about it, they may receive just the Bread and be assured of the full benefit of the Sacrament." This was a reiteration of the position taken by Moore in a pastoral letter issued prior to the Convention, in which he also stated, "We, as Christians, are called to give warm, loving support to persons with AIDS and to encourage others to do likewise."
In response to Moore's address to Convention, a series of resolutions were proposed by the Rev. William Doubleday, a chaplain at St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital here who works extensively with AIDS victims and who chairs the Diocesan Committee on AIDS. The resolutions parallel the General Convention piece and call on Moore to work with the Presiding Bishop on the National Day of Prayer and Healing. Where the General Convention resolution called for presentation of concerns to the federal government and requested research funding from that source, the diocesan resolution substitutes Cuomo and New York City Mayor Edward Koch, urging "long term, substantial funding for research, education and adequate patient care."
In speaking for the resolution, Doubleday characterized its response to the AIDS crisis as "pastoral, educational and prophetic." He spoke of the need to combat what he termed "afrAIDS" -- the irrational fear that stigmatizes friends and relatives of AIDS victims, as well as the patients themselves. He emphasized that AIDS, while identified in the public mind with the homosexual community, is growing fastest among intravenous drug users -- those most difficult to reach with education and least likely to have a support network -- adding that we are seeing an increasingly poor and disenfranchised AIDS population. The resolutions passed unanimously.
Earlier in October, the Diocese of Central New York held a gathering attended by nearly 100 clergy to discuss the role of the Church and its ministers in dealing with growing public concern over AIDS. Called by the Rt. Rev. O'Kelly Whitaker, Bishop of Central New York, in response to the General Convention resolution on AIDS, the meeting heard from Whitaker and the Rev. George Nagle, a prison chaplain who has considerable experience with AIDS victims and their families.
Nagle spoke of his belief that the impotence of the medical community in the face of AIDS makes the role of the priest more important. Like Doubleday, he is concerned with the fear which puts AIDS victims and their families in the role of modern lepers. Whitaker expressed the hope that Church communities will welcome and support AIDS patients, adding, "This is not easy, but without question, it is our mission." He emphasized the educational function of clergy with people of their parishes, with AIDS victims and their families and with those whose lifestyles make them particularly vulnerable to the disease.
The conference also made recommendations for the agenda of a diocesan task force to be appointed by Whitaker. Among the charges to that group are: to collect and share current information within the diocese and with other denominations, to work with existing groups dealing with AIDS, to develop liturgical resources for parishes, and to play an advocacy role outside the Church where that is appropriate.