South African bishop discusses finding Jesus in HIV/AIDS care

Published: 2007-05-24

KAMPALA, Uganda (CNS) -- Although no easy answers can be found in the suffering of people affected by HIV/AIDS, God is with them and their caregivers, said a South African bishop. "There are no easy answers to the suffering of the people, and those who tell the poor and the sick that there is a cure are hiding the truth," said Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustensburg, South Africa. "But the truth is that God is with us in all these suffering (people). I am not a specialist in HIV/AIDS, but I am simply sharing my story -- the story of my people," Bishop Dowling said during a series of talks on HIV/AIDS care sponsored by Hospice Africa in Uganda, a home-care organization. "I want to share with you how I have found the God of love in this ministry, because I truly believe God is with us to help us do his work." Jesus did not come to explain away suffering and did not tell people there is no suffering, said the bishop, but he wanted to feel people's suffering.

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