Pennsylvania Diocese Holds AIDS Conference
Episcopal News Service. December 11, 1986 [86271]
PHILADELPHIA (DPS, Dec. 4) -- "AIDS, Responding With Care," a full-day teaching conference co-sponsored by Episcopal Community Services Chaplaincy Services and the Pennsylvania Diocesan Committee on AIDS was held here on Nov.4. This ecumenical, educational gathering at Church of the Saviour was the first major conference on AIDS held in this city and was attended by over 100 clergy and laypeople with the purpose of learning about the harsh realities of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and its affects on victims.
Bishop Lyman Ogilby opened the conference with prayers; Bishop Coadjutor Allen L. Bartlett was also in attendance.
Dr. Mathilde Krim, co-chair of the American Foundation for AIDS Research, lectured on the medical aspects of the disease. She detailed little-understood facts of the history, symptoms and treatment of AIDS. "Everyone is a potential victim, and the key groups [male homosexuals, intravenous drug users] are misunderstood by the public as the only groups affected," said Krim. There are about 27,000 currently identified AIDS victims nationally, she said, with an additional 250,000 victims of AIDS-related Complex (ARC), 20 to 25 percent of whom could be expected to show AIDS symptoms within the next five years.
A videotape entitled "In the Midst of Life" followed Kim's presentation. Filmed at San Francisco's General Hospital, it is a documentary of the lives of AIDS patients there and the persons who care for and minister to them.
A panel presentation moderated by diocesan AIDS Committee chair James Littrell offered insight into the emotional aspects of AIDS. Panel member Anna Forbes of Action AIDS, Philadelphia, likened the disease to "a giant chasing me in a nightmare. I could run faster or I could turn around and face the giant." The panel stressed the importance of ministering to the great emotional needs of AIDS/ARC patients and their loved ones and identified ways in which this ministry could take place.
Bishop William Swing of California spoke on the spiritual aspects of AIDS. "We've got to separate the health issue from the homosexual issue," he said. He told horror stories of dying AIDS patients whose doctors would not treat them and families who withheld treatment for loved ones out of shame or embarrassment. "We can form a community of clergy who care. We need to build a 'cobweb' of affection and concern for other caregivers," he said and asked clergy to "let it be known publicly that you care."
After lunch, participants broke into six workshop groups, each geared to a specific area of concern: legal issues, awareness and prevention, AIDS and homophobia were some of the different topics explored in the workshops.
The conference ended as it had begun -- with prayers for healing.