Pope says condoms acceptable 'in certain cases': book
Pope Benedict XVI says that condom use is acceptable "in certain cases", notably "to reduce the risk of infection" with HIV, in a book due out Tuesday, apparently softening his once hardline stance.
In a series of interviews published in his native German, the 83-year-old Benedict is asked whether "the Catholic Church is not fundamentally against the use of condoms."
"It of course does not see it as a real and moral solution," the Pope replies.
"In certain cases, where the intention is to reduce the risk of infection, it can nevertheless be a first step on the way to another, more humane sexuality," said the head of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics.
The new volume, entitled "Light of the World: The Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times", is based on 20 hours of interviews conducted by German journalist Peter Seewald.
Until now, the Vatican had prohibited the use of any form of contraception -- other than abstinence -- even as a guard against sexually transmitted disease.
Benedict sparked international outcry in March 2009 on a visit to AIDS-ravaged Africa when he told reporters the disease was a tragedy "that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems."
To illustrate his apparent shift in position, Benedict offered the example of a male prostitute using a condom.
"There may be justified individual cases, for example when a male prostitute uses a condom, where this can be ... a first bit of responsibility, to re-develop the understanding that not everything is permitted and that one may not do everything one wishes," Benedict was quoted as saying.
"But it is not the proper way to deal with the horror of HIV infection."
Benedict reiterated that condom use alone would not solve the problem of HIV/AIDS. "More must happen," he said.
"Becoming simply fixated on the issue of condoms makes sexuality more banal and exactly this is the reason why so many people no longer find sexuality to be an expression of their love, but a type of self-administered drug."
Other than condoms, the book, set to be translated into 18 languages, addresses many other sensitive issues, including the paedophile priest scandals, celibacy and female ordination.
Concerning the paedophile scandal that has rocked Benedict's native Germany as well as other countries around the world, the pope said he was "deeply shocked" by it.
He also raises the possibility of a "sincere" dialogue with Islam, adding that a controversial speech he gave on the subject was an attempt at an academic discourse rather than a political lecture.
In a September 2006 speech in Regensburg in his native Bavaria, the pope provoked outrage among sections of the Muslim community for appearing to question the rational basis of Islam and associating it with violence.
The new book is the first collection of interviews with the pontiff since the then cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became pope in April 2005.
Seewald asked more than 90 questions on three major themes during conversations conducted July 26-31 at the pope's summer residence in the Italian town of Castel Gandolfo.
The pontiff also discusses the case of the Holocaust-denying bishop Roger Williamson, the danger of a schism in the Church and the possibility of a Vatican III Council on Church reforms, which has for now been put off.
A former communist, Seewald became Catholic after meeting Cardinal Ratzinger, with whom he produced two earlier volumes of interviews.
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Raymond
Nov 22nd 2010, 13:51
Welcome to the 21st century. The Catholic church is slowly catching up.
Joe Xuereb
Nov 22nd 2010, 10:56
2) Another quote: "Becoming simply fixated on the issue of condoms makes sexuality more banal and exactly this is the reason why so many people no longer find sexuality to be an expression of their love, but a type of self-administered drug."
Whether it's a gift from god or Nature, the strong animal attraction that human feel for each other - and it's usually a sharp choice of one person over another, it's all instinctive - this all-sweeping attraction is the carrot at the end of a stick to motivate man to copulate and multiple. It is a strong pull engaging all the human senses simultaneously. Is it any wonder that people get hooked on this seemingly 'free' way to while away one's time. Pleasure is addictive, surprise! surprise! It just needs to be harnessed and not forgetting it's god-given. Like any addiction, sex-addiction is destructive of the soul. From a biological point of view it is dangerous; two living organisms in contact exchange awfulness, sometimes lethally. It this wise knowledge in conflict with the god-given natural pull - that is the problem. Solutions?! It's an open debate. Not forgetting, contributing factors to sexual mismanagemet are too many to list..
Joe Xuereb
Nov 22nd 2010, 10:51
1) Quote: 'To illustrate his apparent shift in position, Benedict offered the example of a male prostitute using a condom'. As an example, this would be funny if it weren't such a bizarre choice. Why choose a male prostitute as an example? (prostitution,the male variety particularly, being abhorrent even to me, a 'liberal'). Male prostitutes as a social sub-group are hardly mainstream. Odd choice. But then coming from a man aged 83, and committed to celibacy, what else should I expect?
And in Italy at least, male prostitutes have clients I imagine, 'respectable middle-aged, middle-class women. Again, not a group that springs readily to mind.
In choosing a male prostitute as an example, the Pope still insists in distancing the more likely 'young-man-about-town' looking for love or cheap thrills from condom use. He still wants, by implication, mainstream men to be squeaky clean*. Fat chance!
*That's it. Still he cannot associate mainstream people with condom use.
contiued
William P Flynn
Nov 21st 2010, 11:32
This is a perfect case of secular moral philosophy (it is wrong to let people die for the sake of a condom) together with scientific invention (the making of a condom) overcoming archaic religious dogma (condoms are evil).
The bad bits of the bible (stoning, slavery etc) have been set aside not by the bible scholars (stoning and slavery are still very much in the bible); but by secular morality that developed humane laws over religious ones to reflect secular wisdom, fairness and liberty.
It was always thus - reason defeating religion; science defeating blind superstition; knowledge defeating fear.
Micallef a.
Nov 21st 2010, 11:12
Sex is a very private matter. When is the church going to STOP intruding in
the private life of people ?? It sounds like an amendement in International
law about condom use is being made. I call this another abuse by the
catholic church. Forsi dawn iridu ikunu wkoll above the United Nations ! Please
keep religious beliefs fo yourself and STOP imposing them on other people.
All laws are approved in Parliament and no one else have the right to
talk about changing or introducing new laws.
Emily Miggiani
Nov 21st 2010, 08:58
Actually, that's their interpretation of what His Holiness said. Bits from the book that I found on the web indicate that what the interviewer did was ask the Pope if condoms would help in not transmitting HIV, and the Pope admitted they did stop the disease transmission, but then gave that quote about condoms not being a real solution. To the media, this is saying that condoms are OK.
You have to remember that it's in their interests to get people to think the Church contradicts itself. That way, it's easier for them to make the case that "Well, the Church has contradicted her teachings before, so women priests should be OK now".
If you're a promiscuous person, DEAL WITH IT. you might not get HIV if you use a condom, but you'll kill yourself from the inside out by losing the ability to live and love the way God intended - with respect, and dignity.
David Vassallo
Nov 20th 2010, 23:07
LOL this is really funny. It is about time that the pope updates the inadequate roman christian rules. This makes me remember what maltese say and let me quote " Gidba ghal bzonn mhix dnub" Well done its really better late than never.
Brenda Calleja
Nov 20th 2010, 19:59
Sa fl-ahhar qed jiccaqqlaq.
Joe Xuereb
Nov 20th 2010, 19:17
With regard to condom use/mis-use/non-use, I've said it all along that this is how it works. I have a sex-life (although much slowed down now, thank god - a well-deserved rest) and I've also got this instinct that propels me to self-preserve. So what the Pope is saying about condoms has, for me, been par for the course since the day 'he made eyes at me', ie., forever. It's instinctive. I made up my own mind about the matter and it probably saved my life. For make no mistake, losing one's life through ignorance or adhering too closely to'holy' instructions one will only get a platter of platitudes from said inexperienced instructor, and certainly no resurrection.
victor rodenas
Nov 20th 2010, 18:48
A breath of fresh air at last.