AIDS activists yesterday pleaded for more community support in the battle against the killer disease.

World AIDS day committee chairman Cynthia Stovell was speaking after some members of the congregation at the World AIDS Day service at the Anglican Cathedral in Hamilton slammed the lack of politicians, doctors and males at the service.

One man said: "I think the medical fraternity shuns the problem and this is indicative of that -- I don't see many here. And the only politician I saw was John Barritt of the UBP.'' He added: "The congregation looked to me to be about 85 percent women as well -- more men should be at services like this.'' Ms Stovell said she did not want to become involved in a row over individual groups of people.

But she said: "We would not specifically invite politicians -- they know it's on.'' And she added: "I think women are more compassionate than men. That is my strong feeling.

"Sometimes men have fear about the disease -- but more people are coming around and more are supporting us.

"Frankly, it's the kind of support we should get, but we need a lot more help from families and the community.'' Ms Stovell was speaking only minutes after 298 individual candles were lit around the altar of the cathedral to mark the number of deaths from AIDS since the first in 1982.

Many in the 400-plus congregation wiped away tears as the altar lights were switched off, leaving only the flickering candles and the voices of AIDS activists listing the awful annual arithmetic of Bermuda's AIDS epidemic.

From one death in 1982, the annual numbers peaked in 1993 with 36 deaths.

There have been a total of 29 casualties so far this year.

But during the sermon, Anglican Canon Alan Tilson -- a chaplain at Agape House -- told the congregation there was hope.

And he took a swing at fundamentalists who claimed HIV and AIDS were a judgement from God.

He said: "Don't let anyone tell you God wants you, or your family, or your friends to suffer from AIDS. Don't let anyone tell AIDS is a punishment from God.'' He added that no-one should believe the millions of HIV victims logged last year worldwide had got "on the wrong side of God's wrath.'' And Canon Tilson said: "Don't let anyone tell you that 400,000 children are suffering because God wants them to.

"And don't let anyone tell you that the 298 who have died from AIDS here in Bermuda because God made the decision for each one of them and their families to suffer.

"He loves you and he loves those who are suffering from AIDS and HIV. He is a God who knows what it is to suffer because he himself suffered when Jesus was nailed to the cross.'' Canon Tilson added that AIDS was a preventable disease and that recognising that brought hope.

He said: "A change in behaviour and lifestyle can help bring this terrible epidemic to an end -- we may not all be infected with HIV but we certainly should be affected.

"And there is hope for those with HIV. Continuing research can give them hope for the future and the love of those around you can give hope for the future.'' He told the congregation: "When you give your unconditional love, without judgment, then those with AIDS will have new hope.''