Pray for our Pope to make the right decision: Re: condoms.

[The Backlash Cometh]

Vatican may allow use of condoms to combat Aids

Strong hints have emerged that the Vatican is preparing to change its policy on the use of condoms in the fight against Aids, after a 200-page study on the question, commissioned by the Pope, was passed to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for consideration.

"This is something that worries the Pope a lot," said Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, the head of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, which compiled the study.

The report's completion coincides with the news that 2.9 million people died of Aids-related illnesses this year and 4.3 million more became infected. By next February, when it is predicted that Pope Benedict XVI will pronounce on the question, another 806,000 people will have become infected.

In May The Independent reported that the Catholic Church was on the brink of a historic U-turn. It is believed that the study urges a subtle but important change of tack. Condom use will be permitted if a man with HIV insists on having sex with his non-infected wife, as a "lesser evil".


http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article2007498.ece

[acmejack]

1. Better late than never...

A mere EIGHT million folks had to become casualties of the disease before the Church felt it was in their interest to do something. God's man on earth operating with his usual holy compassion, but not too much...

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. I think it's safe to say that the Pope is the one man most responsible

for allowing the spread of AIDS.

[KansDem]

5. If that's true, then Ronald Reagan comes in a close second...

Reagan's AIDS Legacy
Silence equals death
Allen White

Tuesday, June 8, 2004

As America remembers the life of Ronald Reagan, it must never forget his shameful abdication of leadership in the fight against AIDS. History may ultimately judge his presidency by the thousands who have and will die of AIDS.

Following discovery of the first cases in 1981, it soon became clear a national health crisis was developing. But President Reagan's response was "halting and ineffective," according to his biographer Lou Cannon. Those infected initially with this mysterious disease -- all gay men -- found themselves targeted with an unprecedented level of mean-spirited hostility.

A significant source of Reagan's support came from the newly identified religious right and the Moral Majority, a political-action group founded by the Rev. Jerry Falwell. AIDS became the tool, and gay men the target, for the politics of fear, hate and discrimination. Falwell said "AIDS is the wrath of God upon homosexuals." Reagan's communications director Pat Buchanan argued that AIDS is "nature's revenge on gay men."

With each passing month, death and suffering increased at a frightening rate. Scientists, researchers and health care professionals at every level expressed the need for funding. The response of the Reagan administration was indifference.
--more--
sfgate

...and Jerry Falwell comes in third.

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. Ronald Reagan's decisions only affected the U.S.A.

The pope has global reach.

[KansDem]

15. True, but the USA could've taken the lead in battling AIDS...

By acknowledging the epidemic; by providing funds for R&D; by enlisting the help and support of other countries, the USA could have taken the lead in battling this illness. And the president was the man to do it.

But by ignoring this crisis for so many years, the USA abdicated its responsibility as a world leader and foisted a medieval mindset.

edited for spelling...

[The Backlash Cometh]

19. I can't disagree with you.

[kurth]

6. And overpopulation

in South America.

[Cassandra]

3. Our Pope?

I don't care to claim him but I'm happy to send him some light that he comes to the humane solution.

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. Will do.

[Ian David]

4. This is only to allow infected men to have sex with their non-infected wives

and it will do little to stop The Vatican's program of deliberately encouraging genocide.

[The Backlash Cometh]

12. Once you break a tabu, people start asking the obvoius questions,

and may even learn to think for themselves.

[AlamoDemoc]

17. I find you have much with what Islam sais about your sexualit?

[PATRICK]

7. Argh

I'd rather they not agonize over reconfiguring the latest Pharisaic sex law and just wait until we have Church leaders who are more capable of moral up-building. Handing over controversial and critical issues for authoritarian judgments to this self-appointed Pope is like handing over liberal issues to our current SCOTUS. Hoping for justice and compassion should not be like hoping for a miracle from defective clay vessels chosen disastrously and fraudulently by men. Hope should be in working for the best of mankind to be in positions to serve mankind. The you have some hope, and even then not perfect.

I guess there might be some great rejoicing among the masses- such as in heaven for a single saved sinner- should a single just decision come a heavily flawed institution or individual. In heaven's case they are dependent on respecting the free will and rights of the individual. In our case we are dependent on the rare tender mercies of those who choose to lord it over us.

[havocmom]

8. Re Popes and birth control, the only time I found myself in agreement with Earl Butts

he no play-a da game, he no make-a da rules

[Selatius]

9. Praying won't make the pope do anything. n/t

[Jackpine Radical]

13. Not a good track record there. After all, Ratzi's parents

made the wrong choice.

[AlamoDemoc]

14. I SUPPOSE WHAT THE DEMURE SAIS IS TRUE (N/T)

ONt: allow rev. O'Connor of (Scotland) to experience vatican basement

[mzteris]

16. Does the wife have a say?

**Condom use will be permitted if a man with HIV insists on having sex with his non-infected wife, as a "lesser evil". **

Because, you know, men should be able to INSIST on their god-given right to have sex even if it endangers someone else.

[terrya]

18. I hate to dispute this story...

But if this were to happen, it would involve the Pope being completely brainwashed. Since, I'm sure in his mind, AIDS is a "homosexual disease", I really don't think this Pope gives a damn about fighting AIDS.