Catholic youth prefer pre–marital AIDS testing: Church survey

Thiruvananthapuram – A survey conducted by the family apostolate department of Ernakulam–Angamaly archdiocese has found that the Catholic youth prefer pre–marital AIDS testing, Christian Today has confirmed.

The AIDS testing, as proposed by the Church, was favored by 93 percent out of a total of 2000 people surveyed.

"It shows youth are more concerned about HIV/AIDS. Their concerns are genuine," family apostolate director, Fr. Varghese Pulickal said.

Ernakulam–Angamaly is one of the 25 dioceses in India that belong to the Syro–Malabar Church, which has urged couples who want to get married to undergo medical checkups as a way of arresting the rising number of HIV/AIDS cases. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) usually leads to AIDS, which is almost always fatal. Unprotected sex and sharing of needles among intravenous drug users are the two most common ways HIV is transmitted.

The Syro–Malabar Church's second archiepiscopal assembly, held in November 2004, said it would be "highly desirable" if prospective couples underwent medical checkups before marriage.

According to Fr. Pulickal, the survey asked whether the youth preferred HIV tests before marriage and whether they agreed to a woman visiting her future husband's home. Respondents were instructed to respond "yes" or "no" to each question.

Social norms in Kerala do not sanction prospective marriage partners visiting each other's home before marriage, though a man could do so. However, more than 90 percent of the respondents said they would welcome a woman being able to visit her in–laws' home before marriage, the priest observed.

Fr. Pulickal said that his department would submit the survey results to the annual bishops' synod and wait for its decision on whether to make the HIV test mandatory or retain the current voluntary status. Meanwhile, he added, the department also would seek the views of parents. The archiepiscopal assembly, for which other members of the Church join the bishops, is held every three years.

The result of the survey reveals the anxiety among youth about HIV/AIDS, Fr. Pulickal said. "It was more evident among village women, who are not well–educated. The media scare on AIDS has contributed to this response," he added.

Everybody do not, however, agree with the initiative taken by the Church to educate the youth about HIV/AIDS.

Joseph Kattikaran, a virologist, cautioned the Church against violating human rights and medical ethics by requiring HIV testing. "You can't compel people to have HIV testing, and it's a clear violation of medical ethics," he asserted. Nonetheless, he recommended that the Church educate the youth and encourage them to undergo a voluntary pre–marriage test. "It would create a better understanding about HIV," he added.

Fr. Paul Thelakat, Syro–Malabar Church spokesperson, agreed. Asked what would be done with the survey, the priest said, "The Church may not be able to bulldoze things into the community." Admitting that there are legal limitations, he added, "if somebody challenges it in the court of law, the initiative will backfire."

However, the Church has encouraged families to talk about the issue in family discussions, he said.

According to the AIDS Control Society of Kerala, the state has between 70,000 and 100,000 people living with HIV. Kerala has 2,003 reported AIDS cases in a population of 32 million. The first case was reported in 1987, and the AIDS Control Society says 613 people have died due to AIDS–related causes.