Pope Benedict XVI Against Condom Distribution in Fight Against AIDS

I was raised as a Catholic…if you call going to church for Christmas and Easter “being raised” as a Catholic. I remember the Pope, John Paul II at the time, visiting my hometown as I was growing up and all of us lining the streets and stopping traffic just for the chance to catch a glimpse of him in his little Pope-mobile as he waved to all who caught his eye. I guess my parents who only took us to church a few times a year knew even then it would be a historic moment for us to see the Pope. The memory did stick in my brain, so they must have been on to something. These days, Pope Benedict XVI has taken the reigns of Catholicism and has begun his term and his yearning to return to the fundamental Christian values. The problems of the modern world, he chalks up to a widespread denial of fundamental moral truths.

Due to this, Pope Benedict XVI recently stated that the way to fight the AIDS epidemic in African countries is not through mass distribution of condoms and contraceptives. In fact, he believes distributing condoms only serves to exacerbate the underlying problem. This is the first time that Pope Benedict XVI spoke openly on the use of condoms. Since his reign began, he has strongly stressed to the public that the Catholic Church is paving the way and leading the fight against AIDS worldwide. The Catholic Church stands strong behind its encouragement to abstain from sex before marriage; this, in turn, Catholics feel, will end the spread of HIV/AIDS worldwide.

Pope Benedict XVI recently told reporters aboard the papal plane as he was heading towards Yaounde, Cameroon, “You can’t resolve it with the distribution of condoms. On the contrary, it increases the problem.” Some nuns and priests question this stance. Those nuns and priests who have made it their mission to work with AIDS victims throughout Africa where AIDS has reached epidemic proportions do not feel the church should oppose condoms and their distribution, especially in those countries where HIV/AIDS has ravaged the population. Seeing the victims, both young and old, up close and personal on a daily basis and knowing that something as simple as an inexpensive condom could have prevented their suffering may have swayed their opinions.

In addition, the pope stated that in light of the failing economy worldwide, he intends to call for “international solidarity” for Africa. While he admits that the church does not intend to provide or offer solutions to the current economic status, they would be more than willing to offer “spiritual and moral” suggestions. The pope feels that the current economic situation is a result of “a deficit of ethics in economic structures. It is here that the church can make a contribution.”