South African bishop says AIDS could decimate South African society

Published: 2003-11-14

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) -- A South African bishop urged governments and businesses to listen to church groups who, in their work with AIDS orphans, "are constantly exposed to the cries of innocent and helpless children." "The toll exacted by sickness and death associated with AIDS could, if not dealt with comprehensively, cause the disintegration of South African society," said Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg. "Global structures are a hindrance to the life of the African child," he said. Bishop Dowling made his remarks Nov. 12 during a conference on caring for orphans and vulnerable children. The conference, organized by the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference AIDS office and the British organization HopeHIV, was held in Bronkhortspruit, east of Pretoria. The bishops' conference issued a statement on the bishop's remarks.

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