In Rare Cases, Pope Justifies Use of Condoms

By: Rachel Donadio and Laurie Goodstein

Summary

In an interview with German journalist Peter Seewald regarding a host of issues, Pope Benedict XVI said that condoms could be use to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. This is the first exception in the Vatican ban of contraceptives. The pope did not approve the use of condoms or suggest that the Roman Catholic Church was beginning to back away from its prohibition of birth control. the one example he cited as a possibly appropriate use was by male prostitutes. The Pope justified his statement by saying that “condoms were not “a real or moral solution” to the AIDS epidemic, adding, “that can really lie only in a humanization of sexuality.” But he also said that “there may be a basis in the case of some individuals, as perhaps when a male prostitute uses a condom, where this can be a first step in the direction of a moralization, a first assumption of responsibility.” The Pope faced criticism last year when he went Africa, and he said, “Condom use did not help prevent the spread of AIDS, only abstinence and fidelity did”. The use of condoms have been a long standing issue since Pope Paul VI denounced birth control in his famous 1968 encyclical, “Humanae Vitae.” Now people are wondering if the Pope statements could help in the campaigns to fight AIDS.

Analyses:

I think that the Pope’s statement on condoms is a huge milestone for public health educators especially those in Sub-Saharan African and East Asia where the HIV/AIDS epidemic is ramped. The Roman Catholic Church has so much influence around the world, and I honestly do not comprehend why they are not partner with health educators to help in the fight against AIDS. The science has proved that the use of condoms is one of the best ways other than abstinence to prevent the spread of STIs. Yes, it is a matter of religion versus science, but there is a certain point where religion has to take a step back and let science save peoples’ lives. Why did the Pope say it would be ok for a male prostitute, so does not female prostitutes cannot urge their clients to wear a condom? What about in African countries where polygamy is practiced? This so much more than just birth control, women’s healths are at risk. Women are more susceptible to STIs and other health issues that come with being a woman. I am hoping that there will be more milestones with this pope and others to come, where birth control will be an individual health choice and not be demoralized by the church.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/21/world/europe/21pope.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&ref=health