Outreach for PositiveFaith Ireland

CAPS Activists – A Catholic Voice in the HIV Sector

CAPS members have reached out to people living with or affected by HIV in Ireland & have met several times this year to discuss the pastoral needs of Christian PLWH in Ireland. CAPS Director Vincent Manning spoke with Richard Carson from ACET (a Christian HIV agency) & Erin Nugent of HIV Ireland who were most helpful, reaching out to contacts who might want to explore the idea. Johannah from Dublin expressed a keen interest and met with Vincent in person in Tipperary in May. She took time off work and travelled to the UK to join us for the Retreat weekend in July at Aylesford Friary. She got to know members of PositiveFaith better, shared experiences and prayed with the members. Fr John Friel CP, an Irish Passionist priest accompanied us as our Chaplain. Whilst many Christian PLWH are active in responding to HIV in Ireland, initial discussions confirm that the particular spiritual needs of PLWH are not being addressed. A PositiveFaith Ireland peer support ministry could meet the needs of Christian PLWH in Ireland. We will continue to explore how best to respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Together we hope that Christian PLWH will be empowered in faith to love and serve each other in Ireland.

“Thank you so much for the prayers, that’s exactly what my soul has been missing, I came out a different person, no more heavy load on my shoulders, may we all stay blessed.” CAPS member