Tuesday, November 23, 2010
POPE BENEDICT XVI's RECENT PRONOUNCEMENT ON THE USE OF CONDOMS ..........
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI , made what many may consider extraordinary news this week with a statement on the use of condoms, that nuances longstanding Church Teaching regarding their use in exceptional circumstances, namely the threat of spreading the HIV / AIDS virus. In an interview with a German journalist who is writing a book, Pope Benedict reiterated the Church's traditional teaching on the use of condoms and artificial contraception, but went on to state, 'in some some exceptional cases where the intent is prevent disease rather than pregnancy, the use of a condom could be a, "first step", toward a greater sense of moral responsibility'. The Holy See Press Office Director, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, in a Vatican press release, 'insists the Pope has not changed the Church's teaching on condoms, but has given papal expression to a position long held by,' " "moral theologians and other ecclesial personalities, including a number of Cardinals". In the booK published today, "Light Of The World", by Peter Seewald, His Holiness responded to two questions following his 2009 papal visit to Africa. Father Lombardi reiterates the Pope was not speaking of the use of condoms in general, as AIDS cannot be resolved by use of condoms alone, but must be rooted in, "prevention, education, assistance, counsel, and being close to people". Even outside ecclesial circles Benedict XVI declares the ABC approach, Abstinence-Be Faithful-Condoms, works best when A and B, are exercised effectively and C is not overly depended upon. The nuance in this papal statement is focused on the existence of a,"real risk", to "the life of the other person". The Pope asserts in such circumstances use of condoms by men or women can be, "a first assumption of responsibility", "a first step in a movement toward a more human sexuality". Thus Pope Benedict XVI's answers to author Peter Seeward's questions about condoms use, are not a revolutionary realignment of the Church's Teaching, but an enightened, insightful, compassionate, reflective, response affirming the sacredness and dignity of every human being, and reduction of the risk of infection, disease, and death, from the plague of AIDS. It is not a license for immorality, but a further necessary antidote in exceptional situations, to an otherwise enduring tragedy..........Kudos To The Pope !!!... , Fr. Troy
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2 comments:
The Pope, the Condom, and the Elephant By Dr. Jeff Mirus
What Did the Pope Say on AIDS and Condoms?
- Elizabeth Hansen
May I respectfully suggest that you read the above articles for a better understanding of PBXVI's comments.
Hello Fr. Troy,
Here is a statement by the Kenya Episcopal Conference (KEC) on Pope Benedict XVI remarks on condoms. The statement makes it clear that PBXVI did not declare the ABC approach works and that condoms are not a "necessary antidote in exceptional situations". In fact condoms are not a "real or moral solution" and their use "as a means of contraception or as a means of addressing the grave issue of HIV/AIDS infection" is "always unacceptable". For Catholics who base their understanding of Church teaching on what the mainstream media reports this is an extemely important clarification.
Excerpt:
REMARKS ON CONDOMS ATTRIBUTED TO THE HOLY FATHER, POPE BENEDICT XVI
"We have witnessed recent reports on comments attributed to The Holy Father, that have been carried in the international and local media, that have misrepresented the remarks of Pope Benedict XVI on the issue of sexual morality and the struggle against the HIV and AIDS infection.
First we would like to clear the air and to clarify to all the people, and to the Catholics, regarding the position of the Church with regard to the use of condoms for the peace of mind and proper guidance.
1. We reiterate and reaffirm that the position of the Catholic Church as regards the use of condoms, both as a means of contraception and as a means of addressing the grave issue of HIV/AIDS infection has not changed and remains as always unacceptable.
2. The media reports have unfairly quoted the Pope out of context and banalized the deeply sensitive medical, moral and pastoral issues of HIV/AIDS and accompaniment of those infected or affected, reducing the discussion on the demands of sexual morality to a mere comment on condoms."
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