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Dress Their Wounds
Pastoral Statement on Human Immunodeficiency Virus/AIDS Archdiocese of Detroit
Jesus, who embraced those in need of healing and compassion, challenges us, his followers, to carry out our responsibility to our brothers and sisters who are living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/SAIDS), to their families and to other significant persons in their lives. "Be compassionate, as God is compassionate. Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned…. Give, and it shall be given to you…." (Luke 7:36-38)
When one person in the Body of Christ suffers, all of us share in this suffering. As we journey through life, the journey is made easier when it is shared in a spirit of mutual love. If our sisters and brothers with HIV/AIDS are to feel they are truly part of the People of God, then injustice and prejudice must be eliminated. Ignorance, fear, apathy, and rash judgment must be replaced with sensitivity, support, understanding and acceptance.
Every effort must be made on the archdiocesan and parish levels to be one with our sisters and brothers with HIV/AIDS and to be helpful, spiritually and materially, to the extent that our resources allow. We, like the Good Samaritan, must approach our sisters and brothers who are suffering because of HIV/AIDS and "dress their wounds" (cf. Luke 10:3). Through our love and concern all will come to know the love and concern God has for each of us.
†Adam Cardinal Maida
Archbishop of Detroit
February 1, 1992
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