Catholic Church said to be at forefront of AIDS treatment, prevention

Published: 2005-06-03

UNITED NATIONS (CNS) -- The Catholic Church is at the forefront of efforts for the prevention and treatment of AIDS, Vatican representatives said during a day the United Nations devoted to reviewing the international community's AIDS-related programs. Father Robert S. Meyer, a U.S. priest on the staff of the Vatican's U.N. mission, cited estimates of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers that more than a fourth of all AIDS services were sponsored by the Catholic Church. The Catholic AIDS Funding Network Group of donor organizations reports that it funds or sponsors AIDS programs in 102 countries, he said. Father Meyer presented the Vatican statement to a session described as a "round table on treatment, care and support." It was one of several plenary sessions, smaller group meetings and more informal conferences held by the U.N. General Assembly June 2 to review progress toward goals set at a 2001 special session on AIDS.

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