AS global pressure mounts on the universal Church to assist in the fight against the spread of the dreaded HIV virus, the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has proposed a mandatory HIV/AIDS test as a precondition for all intending couples in the church as part of measures to contain the spread of the dreaded disease.
Making this proposal in Lagos recently was the Archbishop of Province One, Most Rev. Ephraim Ademowo during the inauguration of the Lagos Diocesan HIV/AIDS Committee in the Conference Room of the Archbishop's Palace.
Ademowo, who is also the bishop of the Lagos Diocese, said the AIDS pandemic has reached an alarming stage that the Church needs to do everything to contain the spread, adding that "priests in our churches must take the responsibility of preaching chastity and making the congregation see reason for continency."
The bishop also cautioned Nigerians and Christians especially against stigmatisation of People Living With HIV/AIDS, adding "infected people should not be ostracised but rather be empathised with."
According to the archbishop, the fear of contacting HIV/AIDS by using the same chalice at Holy Communion was allayed at the Episcopal seminar held at Abuja last week, maintaining that the fear is unfounded.
Ademowo also commended the efforts of Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for imposing stiff penalties on erring medical personal who refuse to screen blood donated before transfusion.
He therefore commended the members of the committee for sparing their time to not only to attend the inauguration but also agreeing to serve despite their busy schedules, making them to realise that the assignment is a crucial one because "it is a war against HIV/AIDS which is a killer disease."
Ademowo said the diocese of Lagos will not fold its arms and watch lives wasted, charging the members to ensure that the campaign against HIV/AIDS should be carried to all parts of the diocese to contain the spread of the pandemic among its members.
The committee which has Dr. (Mrs.) Tilewa Amusu of the Nigerian Army Military Hospital, Yaba as chairman also included Dr. Toyin Salawu, The Venerable Joe Eziaghighala, Rev. Dayo Ejiwunmi, Mrs. Teni Aju and Rev. J.O. Aderounmu.
Others are Mrs. Augusta Maduegbuna, Mrs. Aanu Shobo, Engr. Akintode Yemi, Mrs Bimpe Sodipe, Prof. G.O.A. Sowemimo and Mrs. Nike Akinwande while Rev. E.A. Adekoya will serve as the secretary.
Responding on behalf of the Committee members, Dr. Amusu thanked the bishop for the confidence reposed in them for what she described as "a critical assignment like this."
She acknowledged that the pandemic can directly or indirectly affect anybody irrespective of religious or cultural background, adding that the Church has an onerous social responsibility to prevent the spread of the disease.
"The Church also has the capacity to counsel and extend the love of Jesus Christ to those who had already been affected, now being referred to as People Living With HIV/AIDS wtth a view to stamping out stigmatisation," she said, emphsising that the youths who are the most vulnerable group must also be taught the virtues of abstinence.
According to her, the Church frowns at pre-marital sex and therefore urged parents, the Clergy and the Laity to join hands in the fight against the spread of the scourge.
She promised that her committee comprising high calibre individuals willing to commit themselves to the service of the God and humanity, will do everything within its resources, 'God being on our side, to make the very best of the assignment bestowed upon us."