very surprised when a young Afrikaner policeman beckoned us to follow him and stand at the head of the queue immediately behind the two archbishops. So, we overheard the exchange: ‘Name?’ ‘Desmond Tutu.’ ‘Occupation?’ ‘Archbishop of Cape Town.’ Name?’ ‘Stephen Naidoo.’ ‘Occupation?’ ‘Archbishop of Cape Town’ Bewildered pause, then: ‘Which Archbishop?’ Desmond Tutu very nobly: ‘Oh, he is.’
is
the
real
After another long delay, we were then lined up to hold a placard with our name for a police photograph. Again Des and I were led up front. We were finally released one at a time with the warning that in due course we would be prosecuted. In fact we were fortunate in that they used plain water. Shortly afterwards in a similar situation Sr Clare, a Dominican, was water-cannoned with purple dye. As we turned to leave, our faithful young friend said: ‘You are bishops aren’t you?’ So that was it! Des and I always wore an alb and stole, whereas almost all our separated brethren dressed in black. ‘No, I’m afraid not!’ Lower jaw sagged hardly at all. And so home to dry out, shower and change and then to Our Lady Help of Christians at Landsdowne for evening Mass during which Steve Naidoo, whose homilies were very well structured but somewhat academic, preached a fiery homily.
A Jesuit way of proceeding with HIV/AIDS T
he African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) has published its first programme report about Jesuit initiatives to fight the pandemic across the continent. Spanning 2002 to 2006, the first five years of AJAN, the Report of African Jesuit AIDS ministries gives a picture of over 100 works undertaken in 23 sub-Saharan African countries. The many initiatives are placed in a wider context of how HIV and AIDS affect each country. Also explained indepth is how AJAN House, the coordinating office in Kangemi, Kenya, implements its mission of supporting the network. “This report is valuable for anyone wanting to know about how Jesuits in Africa see AIDS and what they are doing to fight the pandemic,” said AJAN Coordinator, Fr Michael Czerny SJ. The 76-page report covers the full spectrum of initiatives including pastoral ministry,
care and support for people infected by HIV and affected by AIDS, value-based education, art and communications, research and publishing. These works are undertaken by Jesuits and their co-workers in educational, parish, hospital, social and community settings. From now on there will be an annual AJAN report. The many experiences reported reveal a Jesuit way of proceeding, which is becoming ever clearer. With this report, everyone can appreciate why a growing network exists to help encourage, nourish, interconnect and express the Jesuit mission of responding to HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. To request a copy of the Report of African Jesuit AIDS ministries, please send an e-mail with your postal address to books@jesuitaids.net If you have questions or require more information about the work of AJAN, please contact: Danielle Vella, AJAN press officer, danielle@jesuitaids.net
www.jesuitsandfriends.org.uk Summer 2008 Jesuits & Friends
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