God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

30.04.2010 Human mankind

Does human mankind ever learn? Most people will answer with a clear “no”… We see it already in our small little world how difficult it is to keep peace with the neighbours or to avoid prejudice. In the finance sector of our days we see that the circle of failures already and those who have spoken about changing the system to avoid another crash of the markets are continuing their same old path.. some minor corrections are allowed to please the public.

In Bangkok people take a whole city hostage – stand-offs, shootings, killings, endangering of innocent people seems to be “normal” – nobody wants violence but everybody is captured so much in his own world and thinking that without “wanting it” one just jumps on every opportunity to gain and to damage those considered to be “the others”.

In our church, the “hype” about sexual abuse creates interesting reactions: the right wingers within our church try to equalise sexual abuse = homosexuality, the left-wing in the church proclaims the conjunction between celibacy and abuse – and instead of investigating the real reasons behind all these, one uses the opportunity for each convictions own gain. This is an abuse in itself and insults the victims. This times can be times of an honest review how church performs – as HIV and AIDS can be a subject to trigger an honest review of parts of our moral theology. Are we able to stand the test of times – or do we fail – again, as many would say.

Difficult times… indeed..

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, Reflection, Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , ,

23.04.2010 Grenades

Holiday in the danger zone – so or similar is a title of a series on one of the DSTV channels. Yesterday it felt like it, when only minutes made the difference between staying a couple of meters next to the carnage of some grenades fired into the crowd and being exactly within that crowd. Bangkok seems to offer mor than the usual excitement – I am used in the last years of demonstrations, road and airport closures, political turmoil and much more, but for the first time I am at the spot of action.. which shows that in our days one can not avoid it completely.

This incident tells me a lot about life, and how short it might be – and that we have to live our life to the fullest every day. More is not to say today…

Filed under: Reflection, Uncategorized,

22.04.2010 working group for HIV positive priests and religious

What has the working group for HIV positive priests and religious in mind?

We want to provide excellent and confidential service and pastoral care for Catholic priests, religious, deacons and seminarians, but open to other denominations – which includes:

    • Advice for priests, religious, deacons and seminarians regarding VCT for themselves and their communities
    • Confidential and non judgmental counseling (in person, by email, phone, letter)
    • General information about HIV and AIDS
    • Assistance in the work on AIDS policies in religious institutions, diocesan structures, church related business
    • Workshops for interested priests and religious
    • Networking for priests and religious infected or affected by the HI virus
    • Advocacy against stigma
    • Transforming the stigma of HIV into a meaningful tool of service to others in our churches
    • Working on a theology of HIV and AIDS
    • Cooperation with relevant authorities, especially with the papal council for health care workers

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, Networking, Society and living environment, , , , , , ,

POZ magazine: Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga: Celibacy Is OK, Free Condoms at Concerts

While in the United Kingdom to promote M·A·C Cosmetics’ latest Viva Glam campaign, which funds HIV/AIDS prevention and support programs for women and girls, pop superstar Lady Gaga said she is practicing celibacy at the moment, and she encouraged anyone not ready for sex to do the same, MTV News reports.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this—don’t have sex,” said Gaga, 24. “I’m single right now, and I’ve chosen to be single because I don’t have the time to get to know anybody. So it’s OK not to have sex, it’s OK to get to know people. I’m celibate, celibacy’s fine.”

The “Telephone” singer added, “You don’t have to have sex to feel good about yourself, and if you’re not ready, don’t do it. And if you are ready, there are free condoms given away at my concerts when you’re leaving!”

According to the article, Gaga was inspired to take this stance on celibacy in response to the rise in HIV infections among women worldwide. The World Health Organization reported last year that HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death among women ages 15 to 44.

“This is a disease that affects everyone, not just the gay community,” said Gaga, who stressed that it’s a growing concern among women.

Original Post: http://www.poz.com/rssredir/articles/LadyGaga_celibacy_condoms_1_18277.shtml

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, Society and living environment, , , ,

17.04.10 challenging times in Thailand

Bangkok under siege – thousands of so-called “red shirts” are blocking since weeks Bangkok and since days the business centre of the city. People died in clashes between police and demonstrators and the mood is not festive like in other days during songkran, the Thai New Year. My drive from the airport already shows the difference – few cars, no traffic jam – the streets are not packed and even the fun part – throwing water at everyone passing by is accompanied by less joy then otherwise. The big shopping centers in the middle of Bangkok are closed and business is loosing billions of cash and the country lots of tourists.

Since years I travel to Thailand – and since years the political turmoil is visible – two years ago I couldn’t leave the country because the airport was occupied by demonstrators – the year before military rule had taken over and one was greeted by a couple of tanks on the street – well, we will see how it develops the next few days.

And still, the mentality of the Thai population demands that even under these circumstances life has to go on, as normal as possible and obviously with “sanuk“, experiencing a moment of some joy and fun, even in sad circumstances. tackling life to the best of abilities. This is, what I admire, this ability of living life to the fullest in the very moment of existence.

Comparing Thailand and South Africa, there are so many similarities: the good will, but so often failure of government to get it right, corruption on all levels of society, poverty in most parts of the country, the inability of politicians to catch a full picture before making decisions, a complete different sense of logic than we have in the Western world…

But there are fundamental differences: you can walk the streets day and night without being scared of being robbed or mugged – the crime rates are very different. The delicious food one can find day and night at a street corner, the love for good food and the sense for beauty and perfection are other differences.

I feel privileged to be raised in a European society, able to work in an African society and relaxing in an Asian society – the mixture presents me with a openness – some would certainly say: relativism – I personally cherish, even if it leads sometimes to contradictions in my life which are difficult to explain to others.

Filed under: Reflection, Uncategorized, , , , ,

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