Sadly there are still millions of people in Africa and other poor regions that follow the Vatican’s doctrine on condom use. 8000 people a day die because of AIDS. The Vatican has refused to ease their ban on artificial contraceptions. However, at the request of the current Pope, Benedict, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has submitted a study on the issue, and whether easing the ban would be in violation of Christian belief. Many say that the Vatican’s doctrine has killed hundreds of thousands due to it’s backward rules. AIDS campaigners have been pressing the Vatican to change those rules for a long time, but it seems that this Pope is more open to changes. Surely, he can’t ignore the millions of AIDS deaths in the World every year? The Church teaches abstinence as a way to prevent HIV/AIDS infections, which is a very ignorant and naive way to deal with the issue.
The Italian newspaper La Repubblica says that under the doctrine of the “lesser evil” the 200-page report could result in a situation in “which it would be possible for the faithful to use prophylactics to avert fatal risks”.
A total rethink could potentially save millions of lives from death and misery, said Brian Haill, president of the Australian AIDS Fund Inc, a Catholic charity helping people living with the disease in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Malawi. But he was not hopeful.
“I’d have to say, if there is any hope at all, however shallow, is that maybe the Pope might at least recognise the dreadful plight of married people where a husband or wife might be HIV infected.”
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