VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI says in a new book that condoms can be justified for male prostitutes seeking to stop the spread of HIV, a stunning comment for a church criticized for its opposition to condoms and for a pontiff who has blamed them for making the AIDS crisis worse.
The pope made the comments in a book-length interview with a German journalist, "Light of the World: The Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times," which is being released Tuesday. The Vatican newspaper ran excerpts on Saturday.
Church teaching has long opposed condoms because they are a form of artificial contraception, although it has never released an explicit policy about condoms and HIV. The Vatican has been harshly criticized for its opposition.
Benedict said that condoms are not a moral solution. But he said in some cases, such as for male prostitutes, they could be justified "in the intention of reducing the risk of infection."
Benedict called it "a first step in a movement toward a different way, a more human way of living sexuality."
One wonders how many male prostitutes waited with bated breath for guidance from the pope and how many will change their behavior because of the pope's stance.
What about Roman Catholic married couples with one spouse HIV-positive? Give them condoms (maybe!), but not yet? The "first step in a movement toward a different way, a more human way of living sexuality" is not for Roman Catholic married couples but for male prostitutes. Logic according to the Vatican. Meanwhile the Roman Catholics who are HIV-positive and who heed the Vatican's proscription against the use of condoms will continue to spread the infection to their spouses, who get sick and may die.
When I first began to read the the article, I burst out laughing at the sheer absurdity of the pope's statement, but I'm no longer laughing, because the consequences of the pope's stance on the use of condoms for married couples are so very tragic.
Thanks to Lapin for the link.
Maybe the HIV infection rate of Vatican high-ranks has been escalating?
ReplyDeleteNot just for married couples. Think also of women forced into prostitution for whatever reason (physical threat/economic distress) and on top of that denied condoms that might increase their chances of preserving their health. Denied because they have no access because of church pressure to limit or forbid distribution or denied because they (or their customers) think it is making the 'sin' worst if they use condoms.
ReplyDeleteLapin, who knows?
ReplyDeleteErp, true. Condoms are, no doubt, less available because the Vatican is so adamantly against their distribution and use - except now for male prostitutes. It boggles the mind.
Now I know why the ordinariate was set up. It's for the few people who still take the Pope seriously.
ReplyDeleteWhy start with male prostitutes? Very odd. Lapin may not be so far off the mark.
ReplyDeleteBex, I thought of those about to join the ordinariates. Are you sure this is what you want? But if they changed their minds, they would still be malcontents, so it's best all around if they go.
ReplyDeleteI think Lapin's right. I'm sure the Roman call boys do regular house calls at the Vatican.
ReplyDeleteCardinal Spellman had some New York chorus boys on speed dial, or the 1960s equivalent.
Mimi, I never know whether I ought to respond to this kind of thing, but, really, you certainly know that Catholic moral teaching doesn't duck and weave with every papal interview and silly headline.
ReplyDeleteI have never understood the conviction that AIDS is spread because prostitutes, rapists and garden variety fornicators are so sensitive to Catholic moral teaching that their conscience won't let them use a condom. If you have ever met such a creature I would love to hear about it.
I suspect that most Catholics have a rough idea of what our faith teaches, and we do out best to live it out (which is to say, very few are very successful at it). Most of us also believe that, if we are to sin, we should sin wisely. But we also appreciate that the job of the pope, and other teachers of Christian morality, is to proclaim that teaching, not to instruct us in how to cut corners. We are quite good at that already and need no Church or pope to help us with it.
Still, I suppose it's inevitable that the "male prostitute exception" is well on its way to becoming our newest internet "fact."
But we also appreciate that the job of the pope, and other teachers of Christian morality, is to proclaim that teaching, not to instruct us in how to cut corners.
ReplyDeleteRick, I don't know what you mean by those words. You appreciate your pope all you like, but please don't expect me to appreciate the pope's teaching here. You seem to think that your leader is above criticism, and you leap to his defense time and time again to defend what seems to me indefensible. Of course, that is your right.
I think everyone should use them, they go down a treat at childrens parties.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMqjiny-xa4
TheMe, the video was restricted from playback in my email. My saying that, will, I'm sure, cause everyone to rush over to view the video at YouTube.
ReplyDeleteGreat video, but the soundtrack is pure torment.
ReplyDeleteIt is quite in keeping. There is no contraceptive effect associate with condom usage by a male prostitute. Because"straight" sex involves the potential for making a baby, it would be inconsistant for the Pope to allow the Exception for straight couples--regardless of the circumstances.
ReplyDeleteIT, I thought of that, but what if male prostitutes hire out to women? I wondered if those who have sex with women are allowed condoms. Do you see the sort of nonsensical speculation that the pope's statement leads to?
ReplyDeleteNothing like a multi-talented male prostitute to gain the condom nod, wink, wink, glint, glint, zip, zip--this pope must have spent decades thinking up creepy, perverted stuff in dark corridors of his mind--just who is the Bishop of Romes contact with the outside world? I know, I know it´s Rowan Williams but why, oh why-o, don´t the non-paid sexual players get to ¨protect themselves? They are a dime a dozen (don´t tell the pope).
ReplyDeleteAndrew Sullivan has much to say here
ReplyDeleteOh boy, I can't WAIT to watch the contortions on EWTN ("Pope always right!" "Condoms always sin!") over this. (Who's bringing the popcorn?)
ReplyDeleteIT, despite what Andrew says, I don't know that good will come from the pope's statement at all. He may have tripped himself up, but the rules won't change for anyone but male prostitutes under his reign.
ReplyDeleteJCF, on EWTN, the pope will be right no matter what he says. Remember, he is infallible.
Simply, one of the best article l have come across on this precious subject. I quite agree with your suppositions and will eagerly look forward to your forthcoming updates.
ReplyDeleteI quite agree with Mimi's suppositions too, and look forward to her forthcoming updates, on most things, in fact.
ReplyDeletewv - ogiest. "All of her suitors thus far have been ogie, but he is by far the ogiest"
@JCF
ReplyDeleteI'll bring the popcorn...the good stuff: Newman's Own. It'll be worth it!
Archive and Cathy, thank you.
ReplyDeleteJCF and Bex, how can you bear watching EWTN, even with the best Newman's Own popcorn?
What's EWTN?
ReplyDeleteI want some of that popcorn. Will bring the butter.
PS word verification: ohunsm.
ReplyDeleteHere in Baltimore, Maryland (aka Balmer, Murlin) this is short for "Oh, Hon, gimme some o' that popcorn!"
Dear Grandmère Mimi, I'm sure the thought of a male prostitute hiring himself out to a female NEVER entered Benedict's mitred head...
ReplyDeleteAnd Counterlight, you MUST know that Sister Mary Spellman was only trying to provide pastoral assistance to those chorus boys on Roy Cohn's yacht!
http://www.nypress.com/article-5826-cardinal-spellmans-dark-legacy.html
I've also heard that Benedict teaches that the use of a condom by a male prostitute is mitigated even further if he offers a clergy discount.
Benedict has stepped out onto a slippery slope, and I doubt the ruby slippers, I mean red Prada shoes, have a good tread!
Mary Clara, EWTN is Eternal Word Television Network. I believe it was started by Mother Angelica. It's a more-Catholic-than-the-pope TV network.
ReplyDeleteWade, you are terribly naughty. Shame on you!