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Pope's condoms comment stirs debate
Source: Agencies |
November 23, 2010, Tuesday
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SOME Catholic believers in the Americas greeted Pope Benedict XVI's recent °?comments on condoms as a sign that the church was stepping into the modern debate in the fight against AIDS, though the Vatican was adamant on Sunday that nothing has changed in its views banning contraception.
There was praise and wariness for the Pope's comments that condoms could be morally justified in some limited situations, such as for male prostitutes wanting to prevent the spread of HIV.
Others cautioned that it could open a doctrinal Pandora's box. And the exact meaning of what the Pope said was still open for interpretation.
"That's a theological mind trap," said Wendy Lasekan, after Sunday morning Mass at Saint Michael Catholic Church in Worthington, Ohio, the United States.
"In some cases, it would be justifiable - or acceptable - to use a condom," she said. "If your goal would be to prevent the spread of AIDS, that would be a charitable act."
Ellen Reik, a 79-year-old retired housewife, said if taken out of context, the Pope's remarks could renew the debate over the morality of birth control - both as a contraceptive and a means to curb the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
In an interview, Benedict says that in certain cases, such as for a male prostitute, condom use could be a first step in assuming moral responsibility for stemming the spread of the virus that causes AIDS.
The Pope's comments caught some followers off-guard with the frank discussion of a taboo topic.
In Brazil, home to more Roman Catholics than any other country, 71-year-old Idalina Fernandes said she thought it was strange when she first heard the news.
"The Pope and the church had been criticized for being too strict regarding this subject, but I guess we can't close our eyes to the problems we have today in the world," said Fernandes, who helps organize Masses at a small church in Sao Paulo. "I never thought the Pope would say something like that, but the world is different today, the Church seems to know that."
Speaking shortly before Mass began Sunday morning at a Catholic church in New Jersey, 42-year-old Jason Randall said he strongly supports the church's position that forbids the use of condoms and other contraceptives.
But he felt the Pope's °?comments, which stated that condoms could be used in some limited cases, shows that sometimes exceptions are needed for almost every rule.
"I know it's a cliche to put it this way, but if it helps prevent even one death or one person getting sick, it's worth it," Randall said. "I believe in a loving God, one who does not want people to suffer, whether they be saints or sinners."
There was praise and wariness for the Pope's comments that condoms could be morally justified in some limited situations, such as for male prostitutes wanting to prevent the spread of HIV.
Others cautioned that it could open a doctrinal Pandora's box. And the exact meaning of what the Pope said was still open for interpretation.
"That's a theological mind trap," said Wendy Lasekan, after Sunday morning Mass at Saint Michael Catholic Church in Worthington, Ohio, the United States.
"In some cases, it would be justifiable - or acceptable - to use a condom," she said. "If your goal would be to prevent the spread of AIDS, that would be a charitable act."
Ellen Reik, a 79-year-old retired housewife, said if taken out of context, the Pope's remarks could renew the debate over the morality of birth control - both as a contraceptive and a means to curb the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
In an interview, Benedict says that in certain cases, such as for a male prostitute, condom use could be a first step in assuming moral responsibility for stemming the spread of the virus that causes AIDS.
The Pope's comments caught some followers off-guard with the frank discussion of a taboo topic.
In Brazil, home to more Roman Catholics than any other country, 71-year-old Idalina Fernandes said she thought it was strange when she first heard the news.
"The Pope and the church had been criticized for being too strict regarding this subject, but I guess we can't close our eyes to the problems we have today in the world," said Fernandes, who helps organize Masses at a small church in Sao Paulo. "I never thought the Pope would say something like that, but the world is different today, the Church seems to know that."
Speaking shortly before Mass began Sunday morning at a Catholic church in New Jersey, 42-year-old Jason Randall said he strongly supports the church's position that forbids the use of condoms and other contraceptives.
But he felt the Pope's °?comments, which stated that condoms could be used in some limited cases, shows that sometimes exceptions are needed for almost every rule.
"I know it's a cliche to put it this way, but if it helps prevent even one death or one person getting sick, it's worth it," Randall said. "I believe in a loving God, one who does not want people to suffer, whether they be saints or sinners."
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