ore has to be done” to combat the spread of AIDS, stated Cardinal Claudio Hummes, O.F.M., Archbishop of San Paolo, Brazil, in statements taken from the local press at his return from the New York Mission. Last week the Cardinal spoke in behalf of the Holy See before the Full Assembly.
“Without a doubt”, he said referring to the 70 million deaths attributed to AIDS each year, “it is necessary to do much more, because what is presently being done is not enough, and this is being felt in the words of those who have a very grave problem in their country. On the theme of investments, there is the Global Fund that receives help from many private sources and governments. This fund must increase. They want to give 69% of these funds to AIDS for its prevention, 20% for malaria and 20% for tuberculosis.
There is also the question of medicines and giving all the possibility to buy cheaper medicines. In Brazil, all sick persons have these medicines free from the government. All that sick persons go get any medicine they need for free. This should be possible everywhere”. The Catholic Church contributes to the fight against AIDS with a contribution equal to 25% of global resources.
“The Catholic Church”, explained the Cardinal, “wants to give this witness of charity and contribution, especially for the cure of the sick, but also wants to increase the consciousness of the people, so that all will assume responsibility for these problems”.
(From VID)