But the African pastors behind last week’s letter said the claims about abortion were unfounded and grossly unfortunate. “As members of faith-based organizations in Africa, some of whom have a long history with PEPFAR, we write to state that we have no knowledge of PEPFAR funding or promoting abortions,” wrote the leaders.
Among the letter’s signers were Anglicans, Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals and Presbyterians, as well as leaders of national evangelical alliances and councils of churches. Representatives of several faith-based hospitals and health ministries also signed the letter.
“Without the five-year reauthorization of PEPFAR our people will be left in fear of the future,” added the clerics.
According to the leaders, PEPFAR, working with faith-based and affiliated institutions, has resulted in a reduction in new HIV infections, illness and deaths, mother-to-child transmission and child deaths and reduced the number of children born without parents. The letter stressed that, with more than two-thirds of African populations under the age of 30, anti-HIV/AIDS programs are the key to sustainable development.
This article originally appeared here.
