Donald E. Messer, author of Breaking the Conspiracy of Silence: Christian Churches and the Global AIDS Crisis was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award on Oct. 20 at the 5th International Conference on AIDS INDIA in Chennai, India.
Messer is Henry White Warren Professor of Practical Theology and President Emeritus at The Iliff School of Theology in Denver, where he directs the Center for the Church and Global AIDS.
In Breaking the Conspiracy of Silence, Messer draws on his own involvement in global AIDS education in Asia, Latin America, and Africa, using stories, basic factual information, and theological insights to motivate lay and clerical Christians to assume leadership and form partnerships with Christians around the world in this struggle. He shows how churches can partner with ecumenical organizations, relief agencies, volunteer mission programs, healthcare programs, and other agencies to engage global AIDS directly and effectively.
Messer recently joined co-authors George McGovern and Bob Dole at the National Press Club in Washington, DC where they spoke about their new book, Ending Hunger Now: A Challenge to Persons of Faith.
Praise for Breaking the Conspiracy of Silence
"Messer offers visionary teachings and perspectives that are essential for all people of faith who believe that together we can create a better world. Breaking the Conspiracy of Silence helps us raise our awareness so that we can talk openly about AIDS and take actions in order to bring health and life to all those who are suffering." -Dr. Paul Zeitz, Global AIDS Alliance
"For too long the Church has been asleep to the AIDS crisis taking place across our planet. Donald Messer provides a much-needed wake-up call to Christians everywhere that not only something must be done, but it can be done -- beginning with you and me. Breaking the Conspiracy of Silence is an extremely well researched look at the global AIDS crisis. It's both heart wrenching and heart touching and will stir believers everywhere to begin responding these needs. No one who ever reads this book will look at the AIDS or the third world the same way. This is a must read for every believing Christian."-Margaret Feinberg, speaker, freelance writer, and author of "twentysomething" and
"Simple Acts of Faith"
"This book is an important contribution to the necessary dialogue too long delayed. He tackles our parochial and prejudicial boundaries around sexuality, risk-taking behaviors and calls for an empowering interfaith vision of hope. An important work at a time when 'compassion fatigue' in the West is deep and the global pandemic threatens obliteration of entire communities. Required reading for our communities of faith."-Dr. Jon A. Lacey, Interim Director, Council of Religious AIDS Networks
"A passionate and well-articulated call to mission this book demands answers to questions such as, Why has the church failed to respond to the worst health crisis in 700 years? Similarly, why are Christians 'curiously silent and tragically apathetic' in the face of more than 7,000 deaths per day? Messer's hard-hitting, plain-spoken account will be the subject of study as men and women confront the truth that this neither a 'liberal' nor a 'conservative' cause - rather it is a Christian cause. Their response in prayer mission, service and advocacy cannot come soon enough."-Rev. Robert Edgar, General Secretary, National Council of Churches of Christ USA
Donald E. Messer is Henry White Warren Professor of Practical Theology and Director of the Center for Global Pastoral Ministries at Iliff School of Theology, Denver. President emeritus of the school and of Dakota Wesleyan University, he is also widely experienced in global ministries. His nine books have addressed ethical issues ranging from abortion and assisted suicide to homosexuality and politics. His latest: The Befuddled Stork: Helping Persons of Faith Debate Beginning-of-Life Issues (co-editor with Sally B. Geis; 2000).
For further information about Messer and his work with AIDS and hunger visit www.endinghungernow.org.