November 2, 2005

Dear Member churches and councils
Ecumenical friend and organizations

We, the participants of the Ecumenical AIDS Consultation 2005 - "Keep the Commitment: Stop AIDS" held in Bangkok, Thailand from October 28 - November 1, 2005 recommit ourselves to the Statement of Commitment by religious leaders made at the 15th International AIDS Conference 2004 to work together to respond to the urgent challenges posed by HIV and AIDS to individuals, communities and the global human family. We heard, discussed and deliberated on a range of issues and strategies to monitor and evaluate the principles, policies and guidelines that underline positive action. We are encouraged that the church, as a healing community, has responded positively. However, we felt that the Church can achieve much more than it has in the areas of awareness building, training, networking and advocacy to overcome prejudice, ignorance, fear and judgmental attitudes.

In the light of this, we call upon all member churches endowed with their rich experience and unique spiritual strengths to continue to:

• Deepen a spirituality based on the love of God, love of neighbor and love among ourselves especially as regards people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.
• To constantly review our religious policies and structures, to promote holistic care of our sisters and brothers living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.
• To strengthen networks amongst ourselves, our churches, governments, and non government organizations at multi-sectoral and multi-faith levels.
• To participate creatively for the realization of universal treatment and effective services for all persons living with HIV and AIDS, making access to Anti retroviral therapy (ART) a reality.
• To recommit ourselves to a concern for orphans and vulnerable children by making our churches and church institutions sanctuaries of love, where the rights of the child are protected and promoted.
• To encourage others to join us in this important mission of love and compassion.

The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) jointly with the St. John's HIV Education Centre and the Hong Kong Christian Council (HKCC) has released a liturgy that can be adopted by member churches for use in worship on AIDS Sunday 2005. We encourage and invite you to observe World AIDS Sunday on December 4, 2005. The liturgy can be downloaded from the website of Christian Conference of Asia: www.cca.org.hk or St. John's HIV Education Centre: www.sjhivctr.com

We thank you again for your support and prayer for the Ecumenical AIDS Consultation. We look forward with anticipation to working together to reduce the prejudice and stigma that surround HIV/AIDS and bring God's love and healing to our broken and hurting world.

Yours in Christ,

Dr. Prawate Khid-arn
Christian Conference of Asia (CCA)

Mrs. Usanee Nanasil
Catholic Committee on HIV/AIDS

Rev. Sanan Wutti
CCT AIDS Ministry, Church of Christ in Thailand

On behalf of the participants of the Ecumenical AIDS Consultation, Bangkok, 2005.