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South African swimming legend Natalie du Toit visited Dominican Convent School in Belgravia, Johannesburg, where she encouraged learners to rise above their challenges. Speaking about the difficulties and successes in her life, Ms du Toit encouraged the learners to have a dream and “to work towards that dream no matter what”. She is pictured (centre) with Grade 11 pupils Ayanda Africa, Lesego Mosikare, Reginah Daniels and Michelle Pires.
Church to change Aids role BY CLAIRE MATHIESON
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HE change in South Africa’s national context since the inception of the government’s ARV treatment programme and the simultaneous decline in funding to churches and NGOs make it clear that the Church’s response, going forward, should focus less on providing treatment and material care, and should focus more on the Church’s ‘core business’—attending to the spiritual and pastoral care of those infected.” This was the outcome of a conference at St Joseph’s Theological Institute, held in collaboration with the Aids Office of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC). Titled “Catholic Responses to Aids in Southern Africa, 30 years after the discovery of HIV”, more than 100 delegates, including bishops, religious, lay persons and academics, gathered in Cedara, near Pietermaritzburg, to discuss the Church and the disease. “Collectively, the various presentations made it clear that there is still much that needs to be done,” said Johan Viljoen of the SACBC Aids Office.
“The conference highlighted the range and depth of the Church’s responses to HIV and Aids. It highlighted the leadership role played by religious sisters in driving this response,” said Mr Viljoen.
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he last time such a Catholic gathering on the topic was held was ten years ago at St Augustine University in Johannesburg. “At that time, South Africa already was the country with the largest number of people living with Aids globally. The President of the country [Thabo Mbeki] was on record as being an Aids denialist, believing that HIV did not exist.” This was also the era when garlic, beetroot, olive oil and lemon were promoted by the government for treatment. Treatment was only available in the private health sector, at costs prohibitive to all except the wealthiest. “The 2003 conference emphasised the need for advocacy, for the Church to get involved in the provision of treatment, and for the Church to promote responsible behaviour to prevent the spread of the disease,” said Mr Viljoen. Since then, the Church has responded vigorously to the chal-
lenges. “More than 40 000 people were initiated on antiretroviral drugs in the Church’s treatment programme. Over 30 000 orphans received comprehensive care and support. The Church’s network of more than 70 home-based care organisations provided care and dignity to terminal patients.” The Church became the country’s largest provider of in-patient hospice care and her overall response to the disease has been largely driven by female religious. “The leading role of sisters cannot be overemphasised,” said Mr Viljoen. In addition, the government has risen to the challenge; medication is now available to pregnant women at every public sector antenatal facility, antiretroviral drugs are available free of charge in every health district, and are being accessed by almost 2 million people. Life expectancy has increased, from 54 ten years ago, to 63. It has not been all good news. While the Church is a global leader in the provision of care, its response in the area of prevention has been less effective. In addition, the great leaps made in the fight have led to complacency. “Donors are withdrawing sup-
port to the Church and all NGOs, believing that the crisis is over and that the government is in control of the situation.” New infections occur daily and the more than two million orphans will still need support. This is the realm in which the Church will have to act going forward, said the SACBC Aids Office.
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resenters at the conference reflected this notion. Professor Philippe Denis OP presented the results of research conducted by interviewing people living with Aids in the Pietermaritzburg area. His research showed that women in particular are becoming more assertive, and less inclined to submit to domestic violence and stigma. But several expressed anger towards God—showing that the spiritual and pastoral needs of people with Aids are not being addressed. Through her research as a professor at St Joseph’s, Sr Susan Rakoczy IHM said it was self-evident that a positive HIV status has a profound effect on a person’s spiritual and emotional state. “Spiritual directors are in a unique position to address these needs. Yet many expressed that
they are not equipped to deal with HIV and Aids due to lack of training, lack of knowledge and lack of confidence.” Similarly, Fr Stuart Bate OMI, director of research at St Joseph’s, and Fr Raymond Mwangala OMI, academic dean at the theological institute, said adequate Aids training during the formation of priests and religious was still not happening. Director of the Aids Office Sr Alison Munro discussed the issue of testing candidates for religious life. “Despite the Church being in the forefront of providing care ‘out there’, it is uncomfortable dealing with HIV and Aids among its own clergy and religious or applicants for the priesthood or religious life.” Going forward, the Church will focus more on responding to the spiritual and pastoral needs of those affected by Aids. Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg spoke of the “gift of presence” that the Church has to offer. Furthermore, even if all new infections and deaths from Aids cease immediately, orphans will still be with us for at least two more decades, said Mr Viljoen. “The Church has a particular role to play in addressing their needs.”
Vatican mummy health check E XPERTS have just concluded a two-year study on the seven adult mummies in the Vatican Museums’ collections. The mummies underwent a full battery of X-rays, CT scans, endoscopic explorations, histological exams and a whole spectrum of genetic testing. This led one researcher to joke: “These mummies have gotten more medical attention now than when they were alive.” In fact, scientists can now make the kind of diagnoses ancient
Egyptian doctors were probably unable to divine. The scientific advancements in genetics, imaging technology and nano research have also brought new and unexpected discoveries with minimally and non-invasive techniques—a far cry from the “unwrapping” autopsies of the 19th century. For one thing, the mummy NyMaat-Re, “who we always referred to as ‘she,’ is in fact actually a man,” said Alessia Amenta, Egyptologist and curator of the Vatican Muse-
ums’ Department for the Antiquities of Egypt and the Near East. The hieroglyphics on the mummy’s three-dimensional painted coverings made of plaster and linen bandages—called cartonnage—had identified it as “the daughter of Sema-Tawi”. But 3-D CT scan results from early January showed the never-unwrapped mummy is clearly male, Amenta said. “This discovery is very recent and opens a whole host of questions we hope we will be able to answer.”—CNS
Experts have just completed a programme of checking mummies in the Vatican collection. (Photo: Courtesy of Vatican Museums/CNS)