HIV/AIDS

AIDS Ministry and Outreach in the Archdiocese of Washington

For more information, please contact HIV/AIDS Pastoral Ministry at 301-853-5308.

The Archdiocese of Washington's HIV/AIDS Pastoral Ministry facilitates liturgies and programming for World AIDS Day and the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, in addition to providing resources, a speaker and presentations for parishes and groups. In coordination with the local Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the office has played an increasingly active role in promoting and supporting Food & Friends, a program that provides 1,000 meals each day plus groceries to people living with HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging illnesses.

The Archdiocese of Washington’s Birthing and Care Program refers pregnant women who are at-risk to the Catholic hospitals for HIV screening, not only to begin medical treatment for the mother, but also to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

Catholic Charities primarily provides emergency assistance and housing for people living with HIV/AIDS who meet specific criteria, and makes referrals for testing and treatment.

Parish ministries within the Archdiocese of Washington promote awareness programs and provide assistance. These include the Cathedral of Saint Matthew, Church of the Nativity, Our Lady Queen of Peace, Saint Anthony, Saint Augustine, Saint Francis Xavier and Saint Gabriel. The District of Columbia Catholic AIDS Network (DCCAN) is an independent group of parish AIDS ministries that work together to raise HIV/AIDS awareness within the District of Columbia.

The area’s Catholic hospitals, Georgetown University Hospital, Holy Cross Hospital and Providence Hospital provide routine HIV screening for at-risk persons.

The Missionaries of Charity provide housing and hospice care for people living with HIV/AIDS and other terminal diseases at its Gift of Peace convent in Northeast Washington.