First church leader tests for HIV

THE Reverend Thomas Shivute, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) became the first leader of a mainstream church in Namibia to publicly go for an HIV test.

According to Maryn Olson, the ELCIN AIDS Action spokesperson, Bishop Shivute accessed the New Start Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services at the Catholic AIDS Action’s Tonateni Centre in Oshakati on December 4 last year. Olson said Bishop Shivute decided to have an HIV test so that he could set an example for others to encourage them to go for tests.”When visiting congregations, I need to speak about HIV, and when I conduct wedding services, I should ask the couple if they know their status, as I know mine,” Bishop Shivute says.”It’s good to go for a test, rather than speaking without any action.”Olson said the timing of the Bishop’s test also coincided perfectly with the annual ELCIN Pastors’ Conference in the North, which began on December 4.Bishop Shivute showed his New Start client card to the pastors attending the conference and encouraged them to go for an HIV test as well.”I don’t have to tell you my result.That is my information.The important thing is that I was there and now know my status,” he said.Bishop Shivute believes his going for an HIV test will encourage other pastors to take the test and encourage their congregations to follow their example.Olson told The Namibian that Bishop Shivute was joined by Reverend Linus Dama Shimakeleni, the ELCIN Administrative Secretary, who also went for voluntary counselling and testing on the same day.Olson said Bishop Shivute decided to have an HIV test so that he could set an example for others to encourage them to go for tests.”When visiting congregations, I need to speak about HIV, and when I conduct wedding services, I should ask the couple if they know their status, as I know mine,” Bishop Shivute says.”It’s good to go for a test, rather than speaking without any action.”Olson said the timing of the Bishop’s test also coincided perfectly with the annual ELCIN Pastors’ Conference in the North, which began on December 4. Bishop Shivute showed his New Start client card to the pastors attending the conference and encouraged them to go for an HIV test as well.”I don’t have to tell you my result.That is my information.The important thing is that I was there and now know my status,” he said.Bishop Shivute believes his going for an HIV test will encourage other pastors to take the test and encourage their congregations to follow their example.Olson told The Namibian that Bishop Shivute was joined by Reverend Linus Dama Shimakeleni, the ELCIN Administrative Secretary, who also went for voluntary counselling and testing on the same day.