Mass marks global impact of HIV and AIDS

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Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe preached at Farm Street Jesuit church in London on Saturday afternoon, 6th December, at a well-attended Mass to mark the global impact of HIV and AIDS. Cardinal Radcliffe is Patron of CAPS (Catholics for AIDS Prevention and Support). He called on everyone to recognise that we are all intimately linked with each other and the whole of creation.

The Mass for World AIDS Day was organised by Positive Faith, LGBT Catholics Westminster and Farm Street parish with the support of CAPS and other national organisations. The chief celebrant was Canon Pat Browne. Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, was in attendance.

Themes of healing, acceptance, love, joy and hope were celebrated in prayer and music. Canon Browne said that "God, in Christ, gives a Word of welcome and inclusion made flesh, of justice and respect, of value, healing, wholeness and joy for all people." He noted that "Our loving God enfolds us, tender as a Mother nourishing her children; full of care as a watchful Father, enfolding us all in an eternal embrace."

We prayed for those most vulnerable: women of all ages, living with or affected by HIV and AIDS; younger women and girls; younger gay men; all affected by contaminated blood products; those recovering from drug dependency; and those struggling to live in places of war and violence - "that all may be empowered to attain their rightful destiny, to live without fear, exploitation or oppression." We prayed that we may "recognise the gifts which all who live with HIV bring to both Church and society."

The UK AIDS Quilt was on display in one side chapel; in another were quilts from Catholic AIDS Link, which worked from 1988 to 1999, and Positive Faith. The colourful quilts honoured those who have died and those who are living with HIV and AIDS.

There was a reception at the London Jesuit Centre after the Mass.

(Tomorrow we'll be publishing Timothy Radcliffe's full homily text and more pictures)