The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are speaking out on World Aids' Day (Monday 1 December) to highlight the vital role of the church in supporting those affected by HIV.

The global theme for this year's World Aids Day is 'leadership'; and church leaders' comments come as Christian Aid urges faith leaders across the globe to use their position to save lives by furthering prevention and treatment without prejudice.

'Lives are at stake and sadly this affects families, communities and nations. We expect faith leaders - particularly from the churches - to provide the inspiration and opportunities for tackling the problem,' said Christian Aid director, Daleep Mukarji.

Dr. Rowan Williams speaks of 'the need both for prayer and for treatment.'

'Hold those two together and do not let them be pulled apart, to make sure people see that their responsibilities before God, for their lives, include prayer and practical care,' he said.

The Archbishop of York Dr. John Sentamu says, 'HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care is one of the greatest health-care challenges of our time. We give thanks on the 20th anniversary of World Aids Day for all the HIV awareness raising work which is undertaken by many organisations including Christian Aid, UNICEF and WHO.

'It is my prayer that globally we move from attitudes of stigmatising people living with HIV/AIDS to supporting them in our congregations and communities.'

Thirty-three million people are living with HIV. The majority - 96 per cent - are in developing countries. Christian Aid says HIV is a virus; not a moral issue and advocates the SAVE approach: safer practices; available medications; voluntary counselling and testing; empowerment of individuals - with men and women able to make decisions about their relationships.

In South Africa, 5.7 million people are living with the virus - the largest number in the world. The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town is renowned for speaking out. The Most Reverend Thabo Cecil Makgoba says: 'I have no doubt that Jesus would take the lead in caring for those who are affected and infected by AIDS - especially where our societies stigmatise and ostracise them, rather like the lepers of his day.'

On December 1, campaigners worldwide will renew calls for governments and policy-makers to honour their commitments to meet the UN target of universal access to HIV treatment, care and prevention services by 2010.

Most people living with HIV still do not have access to the medicines which would keep them healthy; whilst those seeking testing and treatment often face rejection by employers, neighbours, family and friends.

Local clergy can play a key role in encouraging testing. Maxwell Kapachawo was the first pastor in Zimbabwe to openly acknowledge he was living with HIV. He now works with parishioners and other clergy to help them confront the epidemic.

'My disclosure really helped my congregation. It has transformed my ministry. By the last Sunday of the month when I told people, three quarters of the congregation had gone to be tested. They saw me as a role model,' he says.

Click here to see Christian Aid's World Aids Day photo gallery