.- The Vatican released today a message written by Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, on the occasion of the World Day Against AIDS.
Cardinal Barragan reaffirmed that “the best cure is prevention to avoid infection by HIV/AIDS, which we should remember is transmitted through the triple route of blood, transmission from mother to child, and sexual contact,” and stressed that sexual transmission remains the most important pathway through which the disease continues to spread.
“This is greatly fostered by a kind of pansexual culture that devalues sexuality, reducing it to mere pleasure without any further meaning. Radical prevention in this field must come from a correct conception and practice of sexuality, where sexual activity is understood in its deep meaning as a total and absolute expression of the fecund giving of love,” he said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of Catholic institutions in the fight against AIDS saying “ the Catholic Church continues to make her contribution. 26.7% of centers for the provision of care in relation to HIV/AIDS in the world are Catholic based. Local Churches, religious institutions and lay associations.”
The prelate reminded the action of former Pope John Paul II who founded the ‘Good Samaritan’ Foundation, which was entrusted to the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care.
Cardinal Barragan proposed a wide array of suggestions on how Catholic communities might help to prevent the extension of the disease.
Finally he addressed governments and encouraged them to promote the stability of the family and the education of children in a correct understanding of sexual activity as a gift of God for self-giving that is lovingly full and fertile, and promote the overall health of their populations and foster care for AIDS patients, basing themselves on the principles of responsibility, solidarity, justice and fairness.
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