Catholic, Jewish leaders call for increased care for people with AIDS

Published: 2006-11-08

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) -- International Catholic and Jewish leaders, meeting in South Africa, called for increased care and attention for people affected by AIDS. The International Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee meeting also focused on "the need to expand and intensify cooperation between our communities," said a joint statement issued at the end of the Nov. 4-7 meeting in Cape Town. Cardinal Walter Kasper, the Vatican's top ecumenist, and Rabbi David Rosen, president of the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Relations, led the meeting as co-presidents of the liaison committee. The meeting's theme was "Dignifying the Divine Image: Jewish and Catholic Perspectives on Health Care With Special Reference to the HIV/AIDS Pandemic." The statement said, "While recognizing that our respective traditions may differ regarding possible preventative strategies with respect to HIV/AIDS and related afflictions, we unreservedly unite in calling for unrestricted palliative care and appropriate attention for all those suffering, threatened and victimized by this tragic pandemic. This call goes out especially to governments and all who have the power, means and influence to implement it."

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