Urging Black Churches to Join the AIDS Fight

Communities in Crisis African-Americans The Reverend Carlton Veazey of the Black Church Initiative says churches must do more to promote HIV awareness among congregations. He said that while some create AIDS ministries, preach tolerance, and lead efforts to get their congregations tested, too many African-American ministers refuse to join the AIDS fight or, worse yet, lack compassion for HIVers. Some ministers also are reluctant to address HIV, he says, because it requires also talking about topics like homosexuality, drug use, and infidelity.