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Pope Calls AIDS an “Ethical Issue”
Saturday, Pope Benedict XVI unveiled a comprehensive document on the Roman Catholic Church’s role in Africa. It encompasses the issue of HIV/AIDS, calling it ‘an ethical problem’ that requires ‘a change of behaviour’ such as sexual abstinence, rejection of sexual promiscuity and fidelity within marriage. That echoes a comment of the pontiff’s from 2009, en route to Cameroon on his first Africa trip, when he caused a global outcry when he said using condoms ‘can even exacerbate’ the problem of HIV/AIDS.
Much of West Africa’s HIV-infected population is doing the same. Although sub-Saharan Africa is home to 68% of the world’s HIV-positive population, the UN AIDS organization says improved access to treatment is saving lives. Between 2004 and 2009, AIDS-related deaths decreased by 20% in sub-Saharan Africa. But its still ravaging the country.
The Pope’s stance on condom use hasn’t changed much in the history of the church. What does it take for people to break down the walls that blind them, when so much help could be done if they can get past those small issues and look at the big picture of basic health needs. Do you think his stance is correct?
Tom Thayer
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