Some Advocates, Nations Rebuke Pope Over Comments On Condoms As Vatican Defends Remarks

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 20 Mar 2009 - 7:00 PDT

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Several advocates and government officials have reacted to Pope Benedict XVI's statement on Tuesday that condom distribution will not curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa, AFP/Google.com reports (AFP/Google.com, 3/18). While heading to Yaounde, Cameroon, as part of a seven-day tour of Africa, the pope said, "You can't resolve it with the distribution of condoms," adding, "On the contrary, it increases the problem" (Simpson, AP/Washington Times, 3/18). He added that addressing the disease will require a "spiritual and human awakening" and "friendship for those who suffer" (AFP/Google.com, 3/18).

Michel Kazatchkine -- head of the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria -- called for the pope to retract his "unacceptable" statement, which he called "a denial of the epidemic." According to Kazatchkine, for the pope "to make these remarks on a continent that unfortunately is a continent where 70% of people who have AIDS die, it's absolutely unbelievable" (AFP/Google.com, 3/18). He said, "I think Africa, which is hit so hard (by AIDS), did not need this message," adding, "Negationist statements are terribly harmful" (Charlton, AP/Seattle Times, 3/18). In addition, UNAIDS called condoms an "essential part of combination prevention," adding, "With more than 7,400 new infections each day, the world cannot stop the AIDS epidemic without stopping new HIV" transmissions (AFP/Google.com, 3/18). Although UNAIDS did not mention the pope in its comments, the agency released its statement the day after Benedict's remarks (AP/Seattle Times, 3/18).

According to London's Guardian, several foreign governments also criticized the Vatican, which is a "rare" occurrence that "reflects the strength of feeling against the pope's comments." Eric Chevallier, spokesperson for the French foreign ministry, said in an online briefing, "France voices extremely sharp concern over the consequences of Benedict XVI's comments." He added, "While it is not up to us to pass judgment on church doctrine, we consider that such comments are a threat to public health policies and the duty to protect human life." According to Chevallier, condom distribution is "a fundamental element of actions" to prevent HIV transmission. Laurette Onkelinx, health minister of Belgium, said the pope's remarks reflect "a dangerous doctrinaire vision." Onkelinx added that Benedict's statements on condoms "could demolish years of prevention and education and endanger many human lives." In addition, German Health Minister Ulla Schmidt and Minister of Development Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul issued a joint statement criticizing the pope's remarks. "Condoms save lives," they said, adding, "Modern assistance to the developing world today must make access to family planning available to the poorest of the poor, especially the use of condoms. Anything else would be irresponsible" (Butt/Hooper, Guardian, 3/19).

The Rev. Federico Lombardi, a spokesperson for the pope, called the criticism of Benedict's remarks the "echoes caused by some words by the pope on the AIDS problem." He added that the Roman Catholic Church's "essential principles" regarding HIV/AIDS prevention are "education about people's responsibility in the use of sexuality" and the "essential role of marriage and family." At the end of the second day of Benedict's African tour, Lombardi issued a written statement indicating that the church emphasizes treatment for "the widest number of sick" and "human and spiritual assistance" to people living with HIV/AIDS (Simpson, AP/Washington Times, 3/18). Lombardi also said that Benedict was stating a long-standing position on condom use by the Vatican, adding that the pope aimed to emphasize that relying on condoms takes away from a needed focus on sexual conduct education (Charlton, AP/Seattle Times, 3/18).

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