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In Rare Cases, Pope Justifies Use of Condoms

By RACHEL DONADIO and LAURIE GOODSTEIN
Posted: November 21, 2010.

Print: New York Times

excerpt:

Pope Benedict XVI has said that condom use can be justified in some cases to help stop the spread of AIDS, the Vatican’s first exception to a long-held policy banning contraceptives. The pope made the statement in interviews on a host of contentious issues with a German journalist, part of an unusual effort to address some of the harshest criticisms of his turbulent papacy.

The pope’s statement on condoms was extremely limited: he did not approve their use or suggest that the Roman Catholic Church was beginning to back away from its prohibition of birth control. In fact, the one example he cited as a possibly appropriate use was by male prostitutes.

Still, the statement was something of a milestone for the church and a significant change for Benedict, who faced intense criticism last year when, en route to AIDS-plagued Africa, he said condom use did not help prevent the spread of AIDS, only abstinence and fidelity did.

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Comments (7)

1. Kelin Kreider

So is it more or less of a “sin” when a priest rapes an alter boy if he uses a condom?

posted on November 21, 2010
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See this for what it is: another attempt to tie AIDS to homosexuality. Another vile lie from Chief Paedophile Protector.

posted on November 21, 2010
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Good point David, that slipped by me. I do think that this has to be regarded as genuinely good, because millions will actually be spared misery if condoms are allowed for the ‘owned souls’. As perverse and absurd as it is, and though it pains me to say, this will probably positively impact more lives than all of Richard Dawkins contributions and efforts. And THAT is the fault of everyone for “respecting” faith.

posted on November 22, 2010
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Is it not apparent that what this man has to say is actually useless.  Yes I agree John, maybe some good will come but only because less people will be fooled by his supposed authority.  Please world, wake up.

posted on November 22, 2010
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Homosexual males can use condoms now?
What a vacuous concession from the King of the Pederasts. If a man is going to ignore Leviticus and engage in this ‘sin’, what would they care about the concerns of the pope’s attitude to the use of condoms?
I think the greater consequence of this admission is that if condoms can prevent the spread of aids in homosexuals, they can do the same for hetrosexuals.

posted on November 22, 2010
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This is just the latest example of the church being dragged, kicking and screaming, fingernails digging into the carpet, into the modern world by a rationality-based morality.

posted on November 24, 2010
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This is so angering.  The absolute ignorance and backwards thinking.

posted on November 24, 2010
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