Pope Reaffirms Ban on Condoms

On Tuesday, during his first visit as Pope to the African continent, Pope Benedict XVI reiterated the Vatican’s ban on condom use. It’s ironic that the Pope should find it appropriate to re-affirm such a church policy in a region, sub-Saharan Africa, that has suffered millions of deaths due to the spread of the AIDS virus.

Note: Out of all the reported cases of HIV infection worldwide, it is estimated that over 60% occur in those nations on the African continent located south of the Sahara Desert.

Perhaps the Vatican is unaware of the multitude of studies that consistently show that the proper use of latex condoms is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of HIV? The church would counter that condoms are not 100% effective, and the only guaranteed prevention method is abstinence.

While technically correct, this particular argument put forth by the Vatican is not practical in the real world. Of course abstinence would prevent the spread of HIV, but only given the absence of other methods of transmission, such as sharing needles with an infected individual. But expecting people to completely refrain from sexual relations is not realistic, especially when the symptoms for most sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s), including HIV, are often hidden from easy observation.

Furthermore, the Pope’s statement is also troubling because of the increase in size of Catholic membership in Africa. As the head of the Catholic Church, the Pope is alleged to speak with the authority of Jesus Christ behind him, which can be a very influential position for those who follow such beliefs. However, even church doctrine is no match for human biology, as it is much easier to refrain from condom use than it is to refrain from sex. (Even though the Church is also against sex outside of marriage).

Probably as a response to the Pope’s statement, and decidedly acting more responsibly with actual studies to justify their own statements, the nation of Spain announced today that they would send 1 million condoms to Africa to help prevent the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

To give credit where it is due, the Vatican is involved with treating and caring for many who suffer from AIDS and support many programs with such treatment.

But the Pope has re-affirmed a policy that causes more harm than any amount of good the Church can accomplish in this particular arena. Much like their policies regarding homosexuality and women in positions of authority, the Roman Catholic Church is depending upon religious tenets founded in the past to deal with issues affecting millions now and in the future.

Read more: health policy

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Marion H.

3:52AM PDT on Mar 23, 2009

Dos anyone know if the pope recommends his clergy to use condoms when abusing sexually the children in their care ?

send a green star

JulieAnn Z.

11:00AM PDT on Mar 22, 2009

I do not believe the Pope or any religion has the right to tell us what to do. The catholic church has done many things to hurt poeple.
Condoms dont solve everything, but they help. It is best not to do sex outside of marriage.(and hope your partner is doing it only with you) but not everyone is going to sustain. so using condoms at least helps.
I get so tired of relgions trying to rule the poeple. It is even worse that poeple dont use their minds the creator gave them and just blinding follow religions like a bunch of sheep.

Walter G.

2:25PM PDT on Mar 21, 2009

The pope should know, studies show that virtually none of the alter boys molested over the years by his religious hierarchy contracted AIDS. That is because, not being a barrier to reproduction in this case, condoms were OK to use on alter boys. This poor excuse for a pope is the antithesis of his predecessor. He has almost no grasp or reality and very little credibility. It might be interesting to discover what he and the college of cardinals do on weekends, after all, boys will be boys, know what I'm saying?

Marena C.

12:51AM PDT on Mar 21, 2009

In a way the pope is right that condoms don't solve the problem and here is why: You've got to get those idiotic men to USE them. In a recent documentary, of the men interviewed in a number of African countries and India, a staggering 87% said that they would not use condoms.

Then, how can the use of condoms prevent HIV/AIDS infection if it is not through sexual contact? Drug addicts sharing contaminated needles, blood transfusions (remember Arthur Ashe, Elizabeth Glasser and her two children) and any number of other ways HIV/AIDS can be passed on. Sad but true. However, if the use of condoms (and I mean ACTUALLY USING THEM) can at least lower the rate of new infections, them by all means - hand them out.....

Karen V.

9:11PM PDT on Mar 20, 2009

Here, people show they wants to do really. I dont listen this sentences if Pope or any Secular people could says about The abtenence is the best VIH control. For me they are right, condoms arent really 100% safe, I know this as second witness, my newphew born when my brother used all time condom with his wife. So, say Use condoms is safe for HIV! is a lie! HIV have many ways to contagious, but sex is number 1.
If someone CANT say NO to have sex or droug or something more could be dangerous for their self, its THEIR problem! But i think, you cant ask "adult people" do this or that, but we could teach our children to respect their bodies, and dont used as a toy just to get fun. This is not about religion (im not a catholic person), its about people life.
HIV programs cames to my school and gave condoms to prevent it, and people which never had sex before just do it because they throught was safe: Result: A friend with a baby and 2 more with VIH... so please! Be more smart and dont used word as "idiot or stupid" here... People which think as that, dont do any for this VIH patients... Its hard get a familiar or friend dying for this... And maybe they never met someone in the worst episode of this sickness. I do!
If you cant say NO to sex, dont irrespect to people which could do it!
Enjoy your life, dont trow away as a empty condom´s box.

Janice W.

5:53PM PDT on Mar 20, 2009

obviously the pope wants people to suffer now so they can go to 'his' imaginary heaven later
what ignorance and arrogance
too bad people don't trust their own innate intelligence
hooray for spain !

Julia G.

3:43PM PDT on Mar 20, 2009

What an intelligent argument to call the Pope and idiot. Look in the mirror. The pope is a religious leader and as such gives his authoratative view. If you are not religious than why do you care what he says? Except that what he says carries a lot of weight in the rest of the world. And there are still many people who believe in that religion. The church does a lot of work with AIDS and believes that abstinence is best. To say this is unrealistic is to say that self control is not possible. Also studies do not show that the use of condoms prevent the spread of AIDS. There is a study that shows something entirely different. Inform yourself instead of spouting stupid rhetoric.

Habib P.

2:56PM PDT on Mar 20, 2009

pope idols......praise the pope idiot.....Who is this man..??? who given him this authorities for reaffirming the laws...??.

2:55PM PDT on Mar 20, 2009

Aubrey J.

12:53PM PDT on Mar 20, 2009

This makes me so mad. Is there anything we can do? Leave bags of flaming poo on the Pope's doorstep, perhaps? Or better yet, is there a place that takes condom donations for communities in Africa?