March 17, 2009
Pope claims condoms worsen AIDS crisis in Africa

While on a trip to Africa, the pope made news by saying that condom distribution doesn’t help the HIV problem, but in fact worsens it.

Pope Benedict XVI travels to the continent as the Catholic population there grows — one-fifth of people in Africa are Catholic.

Father Patrick Ryan, the vice president for University Mission and Ministry at Fordham University, spent 26 years working as a teacher and academic administrator in West Africa and joins Martin Savidge to discuss the effectiveness of abstinence in battling HIV, Africa’s growing Catholic population and significance of the pope’s trip.

For more on the AIDS crisis in Africa, see the Worldfocus signature story: AIDS ravages 1,000 people per day in South Africa.

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10 comments

#10

03/19/2009 :: 04:32:56 PM
Marshall Pomroy Says:

Does the pope consider that his righteous priests (who took advantage of young boys) were practicing abstinence? How can sane, sensible, intelligent, right-minded people even consider the Catholic Church and its hypocritical, dogmatic attitudes and practices? (NOTE; IF THE TRUTH HURTS AND IT IS FELT THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE PRINTED, THEN DON’T PRINT IT!

#9

03/19/2009 :: 07:48:53 AM
Neil P. Says:

It would appear that the “Holy See” can not see the end of his (nose).

Maybe he should put a condom on (it), in case he bumps into an African with AIDS.

#8

03/19/2009 :: 07:41:04 AM
Neil P. Says:

I have not read the Bible, but I have hear a Jesus quote that, “What you do the least among you - you do to Me”. I am not a theologian, but I think that means (everything is Me, i.e., everything is an expression of God). So, why does the Pope have a narrow view of Africa? Why would he want to follow a policy that harms Africans?

Of course we know the answer: Backward thinking.

#7

03/19/2009 :: 07:34:18 AM
Neil P. Says:

Condom use in Africa will reduce disease and suffering.

Morality 101: Humans should live in such a way as to cause the least amount of suffering to other living things.

The Pope does not understand Morality 101??? Without a moral base we cannot move toward higher consciousness. Something seems astoundingly funky in Rome.

#6

03/18/2009 :: 01:55:53 AM
Musk Says:

This is so typical of the criminals in the Vatican. They’ve been exploiting poor people for almost 2,ooo years. Body counts are irrelevent to them.

#5

03/18/2009 :: 01:33:58 AM
The Melancholy Poet Says:

The circumstances might be as malleable as the clay of the basic situation if the water of insight is applied at the right times and in the right places.

#4

03/17/2009 :: 11:05:34 PM
Mike S. Says:

I’m praying for an evidence-based position from the Church on effective ways to curb HIV transmission in the world.

#3

03/17/2009 :: 07:30:40 PM
Nathan Cushman Says:

Oh, and Bradford, I am truly sorry for your condition. I do not wish to make light of it in any way. I am praying for you, and I will pray that the Catholic Church does what is best for its people (even if that does mean I’m wrong).

#2

03/17/2009 :: 07:27:51 PM
Nathan Cushman Says:

The Pope has a moral duty to do what he is doing. He is teaching the consistent teaching of the Church. It has taught this for nearly 2000 years.

It is certainly a hard teaching to understand, and a hard one to follow, but that does not make it a false teaching.

People should not be so quick to judge the very institution that has passed on the fundamental idea, taught by Jesus Christ, that every human life has value. Without this ides which has been implanted in the heart of Western society by its Christian past, we would not care at all about the fate of the Africans.

But, sadly, we have rejected so many other teachings of Jesus, and only the Pope continues to teach them clearly.

The Pope certainly would not deny that condoms CAN prevent AIDS infections. The problem is that they often fail, and they also contribute to a general promiscuous culture which really only makes the problem worse in the long term.

They are certainly not the only factor, and may not even be the primary factor, which is why abstinence education can not stand on its own. It needs to be a part of a far more comprehensive solution.

#1

03/17/2009 :: 04:20:53 PM
Bradford McIntyre Says:

As leader of the Catholic Church, the Pope has a moral duty and obligation to ensure followers are educated and lives are saved from HIV infections and AIDS deaths! Around the world, condoms are seen as a necessary requirement for engaging in sexual activity. Promoting condom use has not and does not promote promiscuity. Condoms prevent HIV infection and save lives.

The Catholic Church is promoting practices of abstinence and fidelity, which are widely known to have a high failure rate and allow more HIV infections!

Individuals are often infected with HIV because they have not received the necessary information on the importance of and how to use a condom and do not use a condom when engaging in sex.

Change is needed from the Catholic church.

Bradford McIntyre, HIV+ since 1984
Vancouver, Canada

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