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MANILA, Dec. 5, 2011— A Catholic bishop has lashed out those who continue to stigmatize AIDS, as he called for an intensive information campaign to prevent the spread of the disease. Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said the country needs to solve the AIDS stigma which continue to grip the country and for other people to be able to take care of the victims. “Many of those who discriminate (AIDS victims) are afraid they might get it of casual contact… it’s not like that,” said Pabillo, chairman of the National Secretariat for Social Action of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. “We have to help those who are in need. We don’t prejudge them even if it’s their fault or not. There’s always a time for change. Let’s always give people a chance to come back again,” he said. AIDS stigma, he cited, includes ostracism, rejection, discrimination and avoidance of HIV infected people. Among the worst cases, he added, is violence against HIV infected individuals whic...

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