Pope Benedict XVI (file photo)Pope Benedict has opened the door on the previously taboo subject of the use of condoms in certain limited cases. In a significant departure from what the Catholic Church has always maintained, the pope now says that, in some cases, using condoms may not always be wrong.
Male prostitutes, for example, could be justified in using them to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Just last year, Pope Benedict angered many around the world when, on a trip to Africa, he said the AIDS problem there could not be resolved by distributing condoms. At that time, he said their use exacerbates the problem.
AIDS prevention advocates welcomed the pope's stance on the issue.
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe called it a "significant and positive step forward."
Rebecca Hodes, deputy director of the AIDS and society research unit in South Africa, says this change of heart could save many lives.
"It will give people more space to protect themselves and to protect their partners, if they are able to use condoms without feeling morally fraught."
The Pope's comments are part of a series of interviews to a German journalist to be published in a new book this Tuesday.
But because he maintains the church's ban on the use of artificial contraception is not in question, Catholic reform groups and AIDS activists want the pope to clarify his comments, and elaborate on exactly which 'exceptional circumstances' would make it okay to use condoms.
On Sunday, Pope Benedict celebrated mass for the new cardinals that have joined the elite group that one day will name his successor.
During the ceremony the pope presented each of the 24 new cardinals from Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the U.S. with their rings.
In his homily, the pope told the cardinals their ministry is a difficult one, and that their service is one of faith that transforms one's whole life.
Cardinals are the pope's closest advisers. It is an elite all-male body with members from every continent in the world. The College of Cardinals now numbers 203, with 121 under the age of 80 and with the right to vote for a future pope.
21-11-2010 subramanian (india)Every decision taken should be in accordance with the Biblical way of life and the moral lessons inculcated and imbued in us by persons who uphold the Bible and the tenets therein.
21-11-2010 subramanian (india)Every decision taken should be in accordance with the Biblical way of life and the moral lessons inculcated and imbued in us by persons who uphold the Bible and the tenets therein.
21-11-2010Do I understand that the pope recoginzes prostitution as a profession ?
21-11-2010 Mr Pradip Swarnakar (India)For the welfare of the mankind, use of condoms is definitly a safe and hygenic way in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases mostly HIV. It's quite obvious that not only prostitution regards but condoms play a vital role in prevention of AIDS among married couples who secretly enjoy sex with other partners. So, Pope Benedict should religiously and morally legalise using condoms to protect the mankind from STDs!
21-11-2010 Mr Pradip Swarnakar (India)For the welfare of the mankind, use of condoms is definitly a safe and hygenic way in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases mostly HIV. It's quite obvious that not only prostitution regards but condoms play a vital role in prevention of AIDS among married couples who secretly enjoy sex with other partners. So, Pope Benedict should religiously and morally legalise using condoms to protect the mankind from STDs!
21-11-2010 alan (usa)the pope should stretch a condom over his head
21-11-2010 meltsSaves alot of lives not souls.
21-11-2010Papa Benedict has made an important decision in the hard reality of The scourge of HIV.The basic position of the Church of abstainence is in reality although unacceptable by many is the only way out of the world's spiral towards disaster
21-11-2010 ToBeOne (USA)To understand AIDS and condoms one should look at AIDS in condom nations: http://theologyofthebody.blogspot.com/2009/03/will-condoms-really-stop-aids-in-africa.html
21-11-2010 John Frum (Vanuatu)So the pope is ok with the use of condoms for prostitution, but not for birth control?
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