CAPS Patron Timothy Radcliffe
CAPS Patron Timothy Radcliffe Continues to Champion Support for People Living with HIV
By Nadine Cameron
Timothy is a renowned preacher and writer who led the worldwide Dominican order from 1992-2001 and he is well known for having long been an advocate for people living with HIV.
From the early stages of the HIV pandemic, Timothy was actively involved in the response efforts of the Church both in the UK and internationally. His tireless work in raising awareness and understanding of HIV has been crucial in challenging stigmas and misconceptions associated with the condition.
Having served as a patron for CAPS for over 15 years, Timothy Radcliffe has fostered a strong connection and enduring friendship with our charity and its members. Therefore, it was a great honour to have him address the theme of friendship at our recent event The Power of Peer Support.
Although an unplanned trip to Rome to meet with the Pope prevented Timothy’s physical attendance, his insightful words were shared through a pre-recorded video. His message on friendship resonated deeply with all attendees as he reminded us that it is in our connections and friendships that we find strength and support.
We would like to take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude to Timothy for his continued commitment and dedication to the cause. His contributions to the cause of HIV support and advocacy are truly invaluable.
Here is the transcript of Timothy’s message to us:
I’m Timothy Radcliffe, I’m a Dominican Friar and I’m a Catholic priest. And I’m deeply sorry that I can’t be with you today for this meeting of CAPS. I have to be in Rome for a preparatory meeting for the Synod.
I think this synod is about the most important meeting in the Catholic Church for maybe centuries, which is about how we move beyond being what looks like sometimes a very priestly, hierarchical society, community, to being able to see the community of Gods friends.
And CAPS is dear to my heart because of the friendship that is embodied. Jesus said to His disciples on the night before he died, “I call you friends”. He said that to embrace all of us, friends of God, and the friends of each other. Friendship really, I think, is at the heart of our life. It’s friends that give us joy and join us beyond ourselves. And it’s friendship that picks us up when life’s difficult and helps us to keep going.
So I shall miss being with you because of the friends that I have in CAPS. Old friends some of you, but also the new friends, that I hope to make one day.
So, God bless you and I hope to be with you next time.