Douai Abbey symposium: Making Faith Sense of HIV

Douai Abbey by Edmund Shaw

Making Faith Sense of HIV takes place at Douai Abbey on 9th September 2023. In this second symposium to celebrate 20 years of CAPS' (Catholics For Aids Prevention and Support) Positive Faith ministry, speakers will explore the relationship between faith and HIV, examining the church's historical responses and the Gospel message for those living with HIV today. As Pope Francis challenges Christians everywhere to be more radically inclusive we will listen to what people living with HIV have to teach the wider faith community.

The CAPS team is honoured to host a panel of distinguished speakers, including:

Abigail Chakanyuka, a Pastoral Support Worker for PositiveFaith. Abigail's work emphasises the importance of community, listening and shared experiences.

Sister Gillian Horsfield MMS who has first-hand experience ministering to people in Nairobi during the height of the AIDS pandemic. Sister Gill spent years in Uganda and Kenya, with a remarkable two-decades dedicated to the service of people living in the Korogocho slums of Nairobi amidst the rise of the AIDS epidemic.

Michael O'Halloran, a former CAPS Trustee, Retreat leader and Spiritual Director. Michael's commitment is reflected in his current role as a trustee for the Blue Sky Trust, an HIV charity.

Vincent Manning PHD, Director of CAPS, who been active in leading responses to HIV in this country on behalf of the wider church, since the '90s. Vincent's academic research explored the meaning and impact of HIV diagnosis in the lives of Christian people in the UK.

Prof Jim McManus, Director of Public Health and a key contributor to the Catholic Church's Healthcare Reference Group. Jim will reflect on how, for many people living with HIV, health and wellbeing is mediated through the language of faith

Martin Pendergast, a CAPS co-founder, who has been a tireless advocate for the LGBT community. His significant contributions extend from managing HIV social work in London in the late '80s to being an active member of the Catholic Bishops Conference Social Welfare Commission. Martin will consider what we have still to learn about being a more Synodal, welcoming and listening people of God.

Father Timothy Radcliffe OP, CAPS Patron and Dominican friar from Oxford who will lead the retreat at the upcoming Vatican Synod on Synodality. Timothy will present a special video reflection on Faith and HIV. A celebrated author and preacher Timothy has been consistent in his commitment to people living with HIV, since the mid-1980s.

Making Faith Sense of HIV guarantees an insightful and engaging experience, especially for Christian people living with HIV, theologians, clergy, and the wider faith community. The CAPS team looks forward to seeing you there!

For more information about Making Faith Sense of HIV visit: www.positivefaith.org.uk/events/making-faith-sense-of-hiv

If you'd like to read about CAPS' previous event The Power of Peer Support and to see some pictures from the day please visit www.positivefaith.org.uk/events/the-power-of-peer-support

About Catholics for AIDS Prevention and Support (CAPS)

CAPS is a UK-based charity founded in 2003 to be a voice for people living with HIV within the church and society. Including people of every faith tradition and those without faith, any sexual orientation, and every ethnicity, CAPS is dedicated to creating an empowered community of people living with or affected by HIV. Through its peer support ministry, PositiveFaith, CAPS provides a supportive environment where people can share their experiences, foster adult faith development, and engage in HIV education and prevention efforts. Committed to raising awareness, educating the public, and reducing the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, CAPS works in partnership with secular HIV agencies to promote understanding and provide access to the resources of Christian faith and community. For more information, visit www.positivefaith.org.uk