African clerics ask for divine help in AIDS fight

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 19 (Reuters) What would Jesus do about AIDS? The question has drawn together thousands of African Christians who are praying God will provide the solution to the epidemic devastating the continent.

Organisers of the gathering in Johannesburg say it is time to start an active, ''faith-based'' campaign to fight AIDS, urging African churches of all denominations to take a more active role to address the health care crisis.

''Until now the church has been aloof. We haven't taken this on as our problem. For the first time in Africa the church is standing up to make this relevant,'' said Dr. Kole Akinboboye, of the Voice of Adonai Ministries in Nigeria.

The idea is to beg forgiveness for ''sinful'' actions such as promiscuity -- something never done before on a mass scale, said chief organiser Timothy Olusegun.

The organisers believe divine intervention could arrive in the form of a scientific breakthrough or a behavioural shift that sees society embrace sexual morality -- but the ultimate miracle would be eradication of the virus, he said.

Sub-Saharan Africa is the region hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the estimated 40 million people infected with HIV globally.

On a continent where clergy wield considerable influence, activists criticise the church for hampering efforts to stem the disease by focusing too much on morality.

Many churches promote abstinence until marriage or monogamy for wedded couples, and discourage the use of contraceptives. Anti-AIDS campaigners say a hardline anti-condom stance counters the effort to prevent sexual transmission of the virus.

But the Rev. Moss Nthla, general secretary of the Evangelical Alliance of South Africa, said religious leaders had a role to play through supporting victims who often experience stigma and discrimination.

''People say what is wrong with Africa is that we pray a lot.

Here, we are praying and then saying let's do something about it,'' said Nthla.

Evelyn Mokoena, 35, is HIV-positive but said she feels healthy since gaining access to free life-extending antiretroviral therapy through a government programme. She credits her good fortune to the power of prayer.

''I've been given a second chance by God,'' said Mokoena, at the sidelines of the conference.

LOOKING TO GOD Olusegun said it was unplanned that the event coincides with the International AIDS conference in Toronto, Canada.

''This is a conference with a difference because God is part of it,'' said Olusegun, sparking a round of ''Amens'' from his fellow organisers.

While delegates in Canada discuss the latest medical discoveries, Olusegun said any advances in treatment or a cure would be the work of God. ''Scientific breakthroughs are God's blessing to society.'' Inspiration for the conference came from a passage in the Bible that recounts a plague stopped by divine intervention.

''We are anticipating a similar response from God to the HIV/AIDS pandemic,'' said Olusegun, CEO of the South African-based Institute for Christian Leadership Development.

''If the guys in the Old Testament can get that response we know we can too.'' REUTERS MS RAI0955