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More on the Pope and Condoms
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by Blue Crush | March 27, 2009 at 11:34 pm
241 views | 47 Recommendations | 7 comments
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The fallout from the Pope's words on condom use last week is starting to reach across the globe. I wonder if the Pope realizes how his words can devastate public health worldwide, and fuel more HIV infection?
Here is just one example, from Canada:
For the past four years, the Calgary Catholic Teachers' Association has held fundraisers during Lent, for The Stephen Lewis Foundation, a charity that supports women and children living with HIV/AIDS in Africa. The Foundation also supports the use of condoms.
But now, Calgary's Bishop Fred Henry, after complaints from parishioners, has encouraged the teachers to find another group in Africa to support, one with more 'Catholic' values.
"It's been a difficult issue for us to deal with because it's been very divisive," said David Cracknell, president of the Calgary Catholic Teachers Association, referring to the Church's stance on birth control.
Cracknell said the issue has divided the teachers' union: "It's very difficult for teachers to even consider defying the bishop because he provides the moral guidance for us, along with, of course ultimately, the Pope. However, teachers are very committed to the Stephen Lewis Foundation and very committed to helping around the world as a social-justice type of project."
A former leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party, Lewis was appointed Canada's ambassador to the United Nations in 1984. He later became deputy director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and from 2001 to 2006 he served as the first United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Recommended reading, concerning the Catholic Church and HIV/AIDS:
Growth of the Catholic Church in Africa.
Growing African Church Often Splits with Pope
Condoms and HIV Prevention: Position Statement by UNAIDS, UNFPA and WHO
Pope Condom Saga: Facebook Groups Rise Up Against the Vatican
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Blue Crush
Toronto, Canada
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generaldecay
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Barry Artiste
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Paschen
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (7)
at 03:41 on March 28th, 2009
Well, I like Stephen Lewis his work.
Good post. Some one should write as to why the Vatican is keeping this position no matter what Pope is in place.
at 05:38 on March 28th, 2009
Well one can only assume the Pope doesn't use condoms, though altar boys may
at 17:45 on March 28th, 2009
This is such a minefield.AIDS is pandemic in Africa and anything that can be done to halt the progress of this devastating disease surely has to be considered.It's all about attitudes and education isn't it?I've always failed to see why the Pope has an input, as it were, into peoples most intimate and private moments.
at 01:29 on March 28th, 2009
Thank you for this post, Blue. Very comprehensive.
at 07:32 on March 28th, 2009
Paschen, I think it can be referred to as, "The indoctrinated mind is blind." After all, it took the Church 359 years to admit to Galileo's theory that the Earth moves around the sun.
at 09:00 on March 28th, 2009
I fully believe he should never have said what he said; that was a mistake.
at 15:23 on March 28th, 2009
Thank you all for reading, recommending and/or commenting. I feel like this is just the tip of the iceberg here, and there's more to come.
I remember the church teaching (during marriage classes) most forms of birth control except the IUD to be fine, but that was before AIDS came around. Most don't take the Vatican literally, but to those who do, it will be quite devastating. He should have just left it at practising 'abstinence and being faithful to one's partner,' and left the whole condom thing out.