Research shows that Catholic church agencies are responsible for a quarter of the total world effort of combating Aids especially in Africa. But awareness of this remarkable record has been eclipsed by controversedy over the church’s ban on condoms.
Now, a number of prominent cardinals have argued that unprotected sex between husband and wife when one of them is infected with Aids is not about the transmission of life but the transmission of death. Others have suggested that the distribution of condoms to prostitutes is justified as the lesser of two evils.
Although the teaching of Humanae Vitae prohibits the use of of condoms, some Catholic moralists argue that there is still the possibility of applying the principle of double effect, when the intention behind the use of a condom is not contraception but the prevention of infection.
In any case, in view of the Aids epidemic, is it not past time for the Catholic church to lift its ban on the use of condoms?
Do you agree?
Yes it should. No it won’t under Benedict.
I’m shocked to learn that they have a ban on condoms. This is the first I’ve heard of it.
Not that I’ve ever given the matter much consideration before now but my immediate thought was “Whaaa? The Catholic Church has been discouraging Catholics from using condoms…devices that in this age of AIDS saves lives…something we’ve known for nigh on two decades?”
How barbaric!
The only conclusion I can come to, therefore, is that the Holy Roman Church is not only irrelevant but must be considered as contributing to the deaths of any Catholics who have died from AIDS because they listened to church dictums and didn’t slip a rubber on their Little Elvis.
“must be considered as contributing to the deaths of any Catholics who have died from AIDS…”
Oh no Tony – it’s MUCH worse than that! If the person in charge of health for a country (think african nation) is catholic then the entire nation suffers because of the RCC – whether the residents are catholic or not! Or if the nation just wants help from the RCC they have to go the no condom route to get it!
Condoms are prohibited in most of africa because of the RCC…
Poor African country leader: “Please, we need help with the AIDS epidemic. Will anyone help?”
RCC: “Sure, we’ll help. But you must denounce condoms and keep them out of your country.”
Poor African leader: “But that would be disasterous!”
RCC: “Well, if you want our help that’s what you have to do.”
Poor Aftrican leader: “OK, if that’s what it takes…. we’re desperate and will do anything for help.”
It’s a sad state of affairs…
By the way Tony – it’s the official stance of the vatican that ALL birth control is a sin. Condoms, the pill, pulling-out…. all of it!
Hmmm… ban birth control and abortion – smart idea guys! Archaic…
Yes it should