The Vatican’s rigid anti-contraception stance has eased ever so slightly after the Pope Benedict XVI accepted yesterday that in exceptional circumstances condom use is acceptable. A new book, parts of which were made public through the Vatican newspaper, quotes the Pope during interviews with a German reporter, Peter Seewald. The book is called Light of the World: the Pope, the Church and Signs of the Times, it is based on the interviews. The Pope explains that condoms may play a role in reducing HIV infection risk and spread, for example for male prostitutes.
However, he added that a more human attitude to sexuality is the proper way to fight HIV spread, not the use of condoms.
For the last few decades, the Vatican’s attitude towards contraception and condom use has been severely criticized by health care professionals and organization trying to combat AIDS/HIV.
When Seewald asked whether the Vatican was against condom use in principle, the Pope said that the Church does not see it as a moral or real solution. He added that in some cases there may, however, exist benefits in reducing infection risk, which he sees as a first step in a movement toward an alternative way, a more human way of living sexuality.
Condom use by male prostitutes is a first step towards moralization, the Pope explained. He did not see condoms as really a way to deal with the evil of HIV infection, though.
A fixation on condom use lowers sexuality into something banal, where it is no longer an expression of love, but just some kind of drug people treat themselves to, the Pope said.
AIDS organizations have welcomed the Pope’s statement. Michel, Sidibe, UNAIDS chief said that this is “a significant and positive step forward (in accepting that) condoms have important roles in HIV prevention.”
Some however, are disappointed it is such a small step, while others wonder how many lives might have been saved had the Vatican’s stance been drastically different several years ago.
Accepting a small role for male prostitutes is better than nothing, some commented. However, the role of condom use for HIV protection for all people, a role which has been scientifically proven and has protected many lives, needs to be acknowledged, appeared to be a common response from many organizations around the world.
According to UNAIDS, only 4% to 10% of HIV infections are from sex between men. If only male prostitutes were to use condoms, the impact on the spread of HIV would not be that great.
Just a year ago the Pope said condom use could worsen the spread of AIDS. Campaigners and the European governments expressed outrage. Minister of Health for Belgium said that the Pope’s statement “could demolish years of prevention and education and endanger many human lives”.
Caroline Nenguke, who works for Treatment Action Campaign, a South African group that helps HIV positive people, welcomed the Pope’s comment as a step in the right, direction, she also said:
- “It shows that only male prostitutes should use condoms and could make people in heterosexual relations think they are not allowed to them. The pope has a lot of followers – he’s an opinion leader and a world leader – and if he’s going to take on a message, especially a message of life and death, it has to be very clear.” (Source: Associated Press)
The Terrence Higgins Trust, UK, says it is glad the Pope has accepted the reality that condoms are a key weapon in the fight against HIV.
Condoms are widely used as an artificial form of birth control, something the Vatican is against.
African bishops have been urging the Vatican to consider condom use as a weapon in the HIV fight. A year ago, Ghanian Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson, said condom use should be considered for married couples if one of them was HIV positive.
Catholic-run clinics in Africa commonly ignore the churche’s stance and distribute condoms.
Bishop Kevin Dowling of South Africa, a country devastated by AIDS, recently said that people at risk of HIV infection spread should use a condom to protect others from death.
Written by Christian Nordqvist