Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
|
|
 |  |
 |
 |
Curiosity from L.A (lower Alabama)
Feb 22, 2000
Dear father,
Just writing to ask about the latest news concerning priests having the Aid's virus in the Kansas area. I have a priest as a close friend and I was just wondering how this could be so. Any in sight on the matter. Would appreciate anything you can tell me. No rumors just the truth. Vettegirl
|
 |
|
 |
|
Response from Father DeMartini
Dear Vettegirl, Thank you for your inquiry. The article about priests and AIDS which appeared in the Kansas City Star generated quite a bit of media interest. Unfortunately, there seems to be a preoccupation with the "how" a priest could have become infected with HIV which leads to all sorts of assumptions about orientation, celibacy and the like. There was even the statement that priests are more likely to have AIDS than the general population. This brings up the old notion of risk groups which continues to foster discrimination as well as complacency on the part of those who don't belong to or identify with the risk group. All in all, in my seventeen year experience as a priest and educator in the Church, the reality of priests and religious contracting the virus simply attests to the fact that as humans who might be intentionally or unintentionally involved in risky behaviors they can become exposed to HIV. I always hope that every person no matter what their vocation, ethnicity, age or orientation would understand that making healthy and responsible choices can prevent further spread of HIV. Blessings, Fr. Rod
|
|
|
 Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
Copyright notice.
|
|
|
|
