The Latex Papacy

[TeutonKnight]

What are the chances that Pope Benedict might actually make a public statement granting permission for condoms to be used within marriage when one or both of the partners is HIV positive?

Given Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini comments that in couples where one had HIV/Aids, which could pass to the partner, the use of condoms was "a lesser evil".

 

[jayem]

I'd wonder why the Catholic Church has to have an official statement on what is just a common sense health practice. It's authoritarianism in the extreme when a church tries to micro-manage its members' sex lives.

 

[sidnee]

It's authoritarianism in the extreme when a church tries to micro-manage its members' sex lives.

Isnt it though? Its silly, if they are consenting adults then why is it any business of the church?

 

[fated]

What are the chances that Pope Benedict might actually make a public statement granting permission for condoms to be used within marriage when one or both of the partners is HIV positive?

Given Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini comments that in couples where one had HIV/Aids, which could pass to the partner, the use of condoms was "a lesser evil".

In this situation on partner threatens the life of the other partner. They also risk placing an additional health care burden on society, and further threaten community stability.

The cardinal seems to be stating that the evil committed, then, with a condom, belongs to in a different category, than that when a condom is used.

 

[fated]

I wonder if the "caucasian world" and Japan will ever ban condoms, the pill, IUDs, and so forth.

 

[cantata]

In this situation on partner threatens the life of the other partner. They also risk placing an additional health care burden on society, and further threaten community stability.

The cardinal seems to be stating that the evil committed, then, with a condom, belongs to in a different category, than that when a condom is used.

I'd say that it's pretty much up to the HIV positive person's partner to decide whether they want to take the risk.

It seems pretty cruel to tell a person with congenital HIV that they must remain celibate all their life, even when someone is willing to risk their health in order to make love with them.

 

[TeutonKnight]

I wonder if the "caucasian world" and Japan will ever ban condoms, the pill, IUDs, and so forth.

I am sorry but I dont understand what you are suggesting by this comment. Please elighten me?

 

[fated]

I am sorry but I dont understand what you are suggesting by this comment. Please elighten me?

Many European countries and Japan are spending large amounts of money to recover their birth rates to at least replacement values, and have thus far failed miserably. The only reason the US isn't ailing in the same way is that it is running on Mexicans and other immigrants.

 

[stan1980]

As far as the catholic church are concerned, this issue disgusts me more than anything else.

 

[TeutonKnight]

Many European countries and Japan are spending large amounts of money to recover their birth rates to at least replacement values, and have thus far failed miserably. The only reason the US isn't ailing in the same way is that it is running on Mexicans and other immigrants.

Well in that case perhaps the Vatican should take out their invesments in contraceptive pills made by Archbishop Paul Marckinkus? (JOKE)

Hmmm interesting I did not know that.

 

[fated]

Well in that case perhaps the Vatican should take out their invesments in contraceptive pills made by Archbishop Paul Marckinkus? (JOKE)

Hmmm interesting I did not know that.

One could conclude that the US marital taxation system also contains lines to... encourage such goals.

 

[fated]

As far as the catholic church are concerned, this issue disgusts me more than anything else.

Why? Clearly the decision to have sex when you have HIV is a very grave concern, not just for the persons, but for the community that tries to treat its members with mercy.

 

[MoonlessNight]

Isnt it though? Its silly, if they are consenting adults then why is it any business of the church?

Because it's an issue of morality? It's not like the Vatican is going to raid the houses of people having sex using contraceptives, but it is its place to comment on the situation.

You might as well say that no one should be able to comment on anyone's private sins (and when I say "anyone" I mean talking about private sins in general, not about grilling an actual individual). But if that were the case, then the Vatican would have to give up on giving any sort of guidance whatsoever.

And I suspect what you really object to is not that the Vatican gives its opinion on sex per se, but rather that it gives its opinion on anything at all.