Parishes In U.S. Support A.I.D.S. Victims (Press, 16 June 1988)
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Summary: Parishes In U.S. Support A.I.D.S. Victims (Press, 16 June 1988)
On 16 June 1988, the Rev. Miles O’Brien Riley, who serves as the director of Catholic communications in San Francisco, spoke about the severe impact of A.I.D.S. in a local Catholic parish during a visit to Wellington. In the past year alone, the parish, which serves around 800 families primarily in the homosexual community, experienced the death of two hundred individuals due to the disease. This statistic starkly contrasts with many other parishes in San Francisco, where typically there might be only about a dozen deaths from A.I.D.S. annually. Father O'Brien Riley indicated that a special service had been held to honour the lives lost, where white helium balloons were released, each representing one of the victims. Additionally, the San Francisco Catholic community has been engaged in a significant project, creating an expansive memorial made up of panels that collectively cover an area greater than ten football fields, with each panel commemorating an A.I.D.S. victim. In discussing the church's response to the A.I.D.S. crisis, Father O’Brien Riley emphasised a commitment to service, framing the epidemic as a human issue that demands compassion and support for those affected. He highlighted the establishment of resources such as a 40-bed hospice formed from a former mortuary, alongside various convents and Catholic hospitals providing shelters for individuals suffering from A.I.D.S. While he acknowledged that the Catholic Church does not endorse homosexual behaviour, Father O’Brien Riley made it clear that there is a deep love for homosexuals within the community. He reiterated the Catholic perspective that all individuals are sinners, suggesting a focus on being supportive and caring towards one another, rather than judging. Father O’Brien Riley's background includes a strong involvement in mass media since 1970, and he has made notable contributions in the form of five musical comedies, nine books, and numerous articles and reviews. His work in television production has been recognised with ten awards for outstanding achievements.
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