As a "lapsed catholic" (and Christian for that matter), some of the ill-considered and morally hidebound statements from the Vatican often leave me either angry or in despair, or both. The latest Papal faux pas was made in an announcement by Pope Benedict on Tuesday 17th March '09. "HIV/Aids is a tragedy that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which can even increase the problem." WHAAAT!
The statement was made as he began his visit to the African continent - a continent horrifically ravaged by the disease. His alternative? Abstinence. That's right...just don't do 'it.' C'mon, that may be a viable alternative for a man in his 80's, but for today's lovers it makes as much sense as trying to put out a fire with petrol.
Get a grip on reality! It has been a mammoth task to get Africans to use condoms in order to try and contain the disease. We are dealing with a less informed and culturally diverse population. Abstinence is light years away from a workable alternative and succinctly shows just how out of touch with the real world the rarified echelons of the Catholic Church are.
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