Pope considers allowing use of condoms

[buckthesystem]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/pope-cons...3871487477.html

ROME: Pope Benedict is considering whether to allow Catholics to wear a condom to protect themselves from AIDS, Vatican experts said yesterday.

At the request of the Pope, Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has submitted a 200-page study on Pastoral Aspects of the Treatment of Infectious Diseases.

"In keeping with the Holy Father's wish, we have carried out a careful study on the use of condoms, both from the scientific as well as the moral point of view, and we have submitted it to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith," the cardinal told a press conference.

Vatican experts say the study is seen as a potential opening towards the use of condoms, which are strictly forbidden under current church rules.

Luigi Accattoli, a Vatican expert for Corriere della Sera, says the church could decide to allow the use of prophylactics by married couples when one partner is HIV-positive, and in areas affected by the pandemic.

A number of cardinals have suggested that condoms may represent "the lesser evil" in such extreme cases. Although strongly conservative on doctrinal matters, Benedict is believed to be extremely concerned about the spread of AIDS, which is estimated to kill 8000 people a day around the world.

The United Nations released its annual report on the spread of the disease on Tuesday. It said AIDS is spreading with worrisome signs of resurgence in some countries that were trumpeted as successes in combating it. But the prevalence of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, among young people has declined in eight African countries, showing that prevention efforts can work.

(Continues - go to link)

[billie]

My husband and I use condoms. If God wants us to have another child, we will, condom or no, but I'd rather not, so we use them.

[peaches]

what good is a condom then if one person has already contracted HIV?? isnt the goal to have NO ONE contract it??

i just have the hardest time grasping the concept that there are still some people who are against the use of condoms. i mean, do people just ignore the stats showing HIV cases???

[Spunky]

I agree abstinance is the the best, but also I find myself

leaning the other direction in the condom issue too!

When I watched a documentary on Aids in other countries

I felt like crying how misled some are to the disease many

are in total ignorance on the issue. Even to the point that

in certain areas the lie that having sexual relations with a

virgin will cure the disease.

I understand that the Lord wishes us to be fruitful and multiply

thus birth control methods are frowned upon in many churches

and abstinence is promoted till marriage and I agree, yet when

I see that in such countries as Africa where the population is

mainly children due to the Aids deaths it becomes clear that

not allowing the use of "condoms" is also handing out death

sentences.

God Bless!

[Kansasdad]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/pope-cons...3871487477.html

ROME: Pope Benedict is considering whether to allow Catholics to wear a condom to protect themselves from AIDS, Vatican experts said yesterday.

At the request of the Pope, Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has submitted a 200-page study on Pastoral Aspects of the Treatment of Infectious Diseases.

"In keeping with the Holy Father's wish, we have carried out a careful study on the use of condoms, both from the scientific as well as the moral point of view, and we have submitted it to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith," the cardinal told a press conference.

Vatican experts say the study is seen as a potential opening towards the use of condoms, which are strictly forbidden under current church rules.

Luigi Accattoli, a Vatican expert for Corriere della Sera, says the church could decide to allow the use of prophylactics by married couples when one partner is HIV-positive, and in areas affected by the pandemic.

A number of cardinals have suggested that condoms may represent "the lesser evil" in such extreme cases. Although strongly conservative on doctrinal matters, Benedict is believed to be extremely concerned about the spread of AIDS, which is estimated to kill 8000 people a day around the world.

The United Nations released its annual report on the spread of the disease on Tuesday. It said AIDS is spreading with worrisome signs of resurgence in some countries that were trumpeted as successes in combating it. But the prevalence of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, among young people has declined in eight African countries, showing that prevention efforts can work.

(Continues - go to link)

I think it is good that things are faithfully considered. After all he would not be a spiritual leader if he did not lead.

God Bles,

K.D.

[Ovedya]

...the church could decide to allow the use of prophylactics by married couples when one partner is HIV-positive, and in areas affected by the pandemic.

Yikes.

First, how did the one spouse contract the disease if not from the other?

Second, "In areas affected by the pandemic." In many places in the U.S. all areas are affected by AIDS, if there is a small group of persons with the disease. This could potentially open up a can of worms for the Roman Church. It could create a "minority" of Catholics with the disease, or it could demonize those who choose to use condoms for protection.

[Kansasdad]

oops

God Bless,

K.D.

[peaches]

yet when

I see that in such countries as Africa where the population is

not to be picky or anything but did u mean countries IN Africa?

[Gerioke]

...the church could decide to allow the use of prophylactics by married couples when one partner is HIV-positive, and in areas affected by the pandemic.

Yikes.

First, how did the one spouse contract the disease if not from the other?

Second, "In areas affected by the pandemic." In many places in the U.S. all areas are affected by AIDS, if there is a small group of persons with the disease. This could potentially open up a can of worms for the Roman Church. It could create a "minority" of Catholics with the disease, or it could demonize those who choose to use condoms for protection.

You don't have to have sex to contract aids. I recall reading or hearing that dentists were in danger of contracting aids through saliva.

[Kansasdad]

...the church could decide to allow the use of prophylactics by married couples when one partner is HIV-positive, and in areas affected by the pandemic.

Yikes.

First, how did the one spouse contract the disease if not from the other?

Second, "In areas affected by the pandemic." In many places in the U.S. all areas are affected by AIDS, if there is a small group of persons with the disease. This could potentially open up a can of worms for the Roman Church. It could create a "minority" of Catholics with the disease, or it could demonize those who choose to use condoms for protection.

You don't have to have sex to contract aids. I recall reading or hearing that dentists were in danger of contracting aids through saliva.

Hmmmmm where would he put the condom?