Pope in AIDS controversy

Recently, I was shocked to read on a news website that the Pope, on his way to Cameroon for a mass, declared that “HIV/Aids was a tragedy that cannot be overcome by money alone, that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which can even increase the problem”. Oh dear…

The religious leader of almost a billion people around the world and 20% of Africans suggested that use of condoms would not solve the AIDS epidemic which is affecting millions in the ravaged African continent, but instead thinks “spiritual and human awakening and friendship for those who suffer” is the key to circumventing this problem which is choking Africa.

Now I don’t deny that abstinence and non-promiscuity can almost eliminate risks of contracting the HIV virus, but condoms have been extremely effective in combating not only AIDS but various other sexually-transmitted diseases (STD’s). While they don’t provide perfect protection, they still drastically reduce your chances of contracting the virus. Abstinence is an idealistic concept which cannot be applied to Africa, one of the poorest regions in the world. It could be the perfect solution but it’s not a realistic solution.

The Pope goes on about how use of condoms can actually increase the spread of AIDS, which is an even more outrageous statement. But nothing suggests that condoms encourages promicuous and non-abstinent behaviour. The bottom line remains that condoms have saved lives and will continue to save lives. The Pope’s comments were massively frowned upon, with major Europeans governments expressing concerns over the statements. Various charity organisations have also condemned the comments as ignorant, alienating and dogmatic. There are even a few within the Catholic Church who do not discourage condom use, like Belgian Cardinal Goddfried Daneels who said in 2004 that using a condom with the intention of stopping disease was morally different from using one to prevent the creation of life and that condoms could be the lesser of the two evils. Father Gerry O’Collins, Emeritus Professor at the Gregorian University in Rome, said the commandment ‘thou shalt not kill’, “trumps other issues”.

Religious beliefs can be dangerous because people take them very seriously. Sure, religion teaches a lot about virtuous living which is not necessarily old-fashioned and could work towards creating an ideal/clean society. But dogmatic views like those expressed by the Pope do nothing to help the fight against the HIV/AIDS monster. It’s time for intransigent beliefs to be ditched, atleast in the short-term, for more a realistic approach. When a billion people worldwide hangs onto every word you say, you should NOT make such a faux pas. I understand the Church’s reservations about condom use, but a dose of realism will be more helpful than trying to hold on to religious dogmas.

Read more about this on the BBC News website:
Pope’s condom stance sparks row
Why the Pope opposes condoms