AN INVITATION TO THE YOUTH, FAMILIES, EDUCATORS AND CIVIL SOCIETY FOR NATIONAL AIDS SUNDAY 2011

25 October 2011

The Philippines is now one of the seven countries in the world with steadily increasing cases of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), in contrast to a decreasing global trend. Since 1984,a total of 7,431 HIV & AIDS cases have been reported in the Philippines; of which 1,416 caseswere registered in January-August 2011 alone. What is alarming is that 30% of this year’s casesare from the 15-24 age-group, and 55% are from the National Capital RegionTo raise awareness on HIV & AIDS and the challenges posed by the epidemic, the 103rd Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines that convened last July 2011declared every first Sunday of December as National AIDS Sunday. The decision came with the release of the 2011 Pastoral Letter on AIDS

“Who is my neighbour?”, which calls every Christian to reach out to members of our families and society who may be at risk of the virus and offerthem compassionate understanding and the support they need.To show our commitment, I invite you to join us on the First Sunday of December, December 4@ 7:30am – 12nn at the UST grandstand to launch the National AIDS Sunday, a first for thePhilippine Church. Let us wear red for the occasion; red being the color of the AIDS campaign.The highlights of the event are the ff.

:i) formation of a giant human AIDS red ribbon by all the participants;

ii) symbolic launching of the National AIDS Sunday; and,

iii) Eucharistic celebration presided by bishops and clergy.

We will be grateful for your participation to ensure the success of the event which will set astandard for the other regions and dioceses in the succeeding National AIDS Sundaycelebrations.Together, we can stop the virus, if we act NOW.

Sincerely in Christ,

+BRODERICK S. PABILLO, DD

National Director, CBCP-NASSA& Bishop-Advisor, PhilCHAN