A cleric ministering in Rumbek said people living with HIV and AIDS needed the love of the community, adding that the love of God for them was assured.
Fr. Bernard Mallia, a Jesuit priest who serves as chaplain of Rumbek Secondary School and is the pastor of Holy Cross Church, made this statement to Good News Radio while commenting on the finding that Rumbek had the highest number of HIV and AIDS prevalence in the Greater Bahr el Ghazal area.Fr. Mallia said that those living with HIV and AIDS should not be ashamed, explaining that they needed to understand that they were loved by God and that the community had the responsibility to show them love without discrimination.
The priest appealed to the community to avoid condemning those living with HIV and AIDS.
Fr. Mallia added they should show solidarity, mercy and forgiveness instead.
Lakes State Director of AIDS Commission, Paul Thok, said his office was collecting data of people living with HIV and AIDS in the State.
He added he did not have figures at hand.