US embassy cable - 04VATICAN4572

UNCLAS VATICAN 004572 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (Levin); S/GAC FOR Tobias and Dybul 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, SOCI, TBIO, VT 
SUBJECT:  WORLD AIDS DAY:  VATICAN CALLS FOR TOTAL CARE 
 
Ref: a) 03 Vatican 3971; b) 03 Vatican 5427; c) Vatican 
 
1389 
 
1. The Vatican has called for total care and services for 
persons with HIV/AIDS in its 2004 message for World AIDS 
Day.  The message, from the head of the Vatican's Council 
for Health Care issues, Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, 
reports that the Catholic Church provides almost 27 percent 
of care worldwide to persons with HIV/AIDS.  This includes 
care given in clinics and hospices, as well as treatment 
and prevention programs (reftels).  Cardinal Barragan 
called for an end to the stigma that "so often makes 
society harsh in relation to the AIDS victim" and then 
pointed out that HIV infection can occur through blood 
transfusions, mother-child transmission, and sexual 
contact. 
 
2.QCardinal Barragan urged effective measures to combat 
virus transmission, including responsible behavior, the 
"virtue of chastity" and marital fidelity.  He said 
policies to combat HIV/AIDS should include support for 
social and economic stability, economic solidarity from 
industrialized nations for poorer countries, reduction of 
the cost of anti-retroviral treatments, and information 
campaigns focused on mother-child transmission.  He called 
for expanded care for HIV-positive infants and AIDS 
orphans, and for the elimination of discrimination against 
persons with HIV/AIDS.  The Cardinal said his department 
was working closely with African bishops at the express 
wish of Pope John Paul II to confront the pandemic on that 
continent.  Barragan has also created a coordination 
mechanism within his Council to facilitate requests for 
assistance and funding from smaller Catholic entities 
working on HIV/AIDS care, prevention, and treatment. 
 
3. Comment:  The Holy See remains an increasingly 
committed partner in global efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, and 
is devoting increasing personnel and resources to support 
international prevention and treatment efforts.  Its reach 
and influence in the developing world make it a key partner 
for education and prevention campaigns, particularly in 
implementing elements "A" and "B" of the Administration's 
"A-B-C"(Abstain, Be faithful, Use Condoms) policy to combat 
the pandemic.  End Comment. 
 
Nicholson