African AIDS experts voice support for Pope on condoms

[Morwenna]

African AIDS experts voice support for Pope on condoms

More than a week after the media attacked Pope Benedict XVI for his comments on condoms and AIDS, CNA is still hearing from experts around the world who support Benedict’s evaluation of the African AIDS epidemic. Dr. Filippo Ciantia, a Ugandan specialist in tropical medicine, along with eight other experts says that his experience resonates with the Pope’s statement.

On Thursday, CNA received a letter from Dr. Filippo Ciantia, a representative of the Association of Volunteers in International Service and a former USAID policy advisor on HIV/AIDS, along with 8 other Ugandan social and health workers in support of the Pope.

"We are social and health workers committed to [fighting] AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic in Uganda. Our experience indicates that what the Pope said is realistic, reasonable and scientifically sound."

Full article at link, along with the list of names of the signatories: catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15495

 

[MJE]

Thank you for posting this.

 

[Zsuzsa]

you stated:
“No frontline AIDS worker would entertain the short-sighted nonsense that has been promoted on this thread.” Are you now willing to retract that statement?

You mean that letter written by those “frontline, up-close-and-personal” – and self righteous Catholic – “social/medical workers” in support of the Pope? – Ignoring the obvious and signalling out just one aspect of a complex and varied problem? Heck no! You really can’t think for yourself, can you?

 

[Morwenna]

You mean that letter written by those “frontline, up-close-and-personal” – and self righteous Catholic – “social/medical workers” in support of the Pope? – Ignoring the obvious and signalling out just one aspect of a complex and varied problem? Heck no! You really can’t think for yourself, can you?

Sure I can. At the risk of pointing out the obvious: disagreement with Zsuzsa != lack of thinking for oneself. Also, agreement with the Pope != lack of thinking for oneself. Neither disagreement with Zsuzsa nor agreement with the Pope proves that one is not thinking for oneself.

So, now that the ad hominem bit has been responded to … a couple of questions:

1. What precisely did these African AIDS workers do (or say) to demonstrate “self-righteousness”? Was it their agreement with the Pope? Or something else?
2. Is there any individual AIDS worker (or group of such) who could cause you to reconsider your opinion on this topic?

 

[tijeras]

Thanks so much for posting this!

Isn’t it fairly simple, really?

I think a point that needs to be made is that abstinence and fidelity are 100% effective. This is what the Church (and the Papa) advocate.

Condoms are NOT 100% effective. To advocate using condoms is to advocate the less effective of the two methods.

So who really cares more about people’s bodily health (not to mention spiritual health)? The Pope, who is advocating a method that is 100% effective, or others who are advocating something that is not 100% effective?

The Pope (and the Church), is saying that people in Africa (and everywhere else) are totally capable of abstinence and fidelity. To me, that rings of respect.

Those advocating condom usage seem to be saying that people in Africa (and everywhere else) are incapable of controlling themselves, and therefore, since they’re “going to do it anyway”, they should have condoms. To me, that rings of condescension.

I saw a video on Patrick Madrid’s website where a lady from the U.K. named Joanna (I can’t remember her last name) put it very well. The host the show and the representative of a Protestant organization that was advocating condoms were saying that condom usage has proven effective in decreasing HIV incidence among sex workers. Joanna was saying that the Catholic Church, who is the only group there present among the sex workers, is saying “you don’t have to have sex with this guy, you don’t have to be a sex worker!” and trying to get the women out of the situation.

It seems to me that the Pope is concerned with each individual, whereas others are concerned just with statistics. The Pope doesn’t want anyone to contract HIV, doesn’t want anyone to have to be a sex worker, doesn’t want anyone to get HIV from their cheating spouse or have sex (and all its other consequences) outside the context of a loving, faithful, secure marriage.

Those who support condom usage are just happy to be “decreasing the incidence of HIV”. That only means the stats look better and “fewer” people are getting AIDs. That doesn’t mean that people are 100% protected both in body and in terms of their intrinsic human dignity.

What if it was your kid or someone you loved in the situation? Would you just give him a box of condoms and tell him to go take his chances? Or would you help him understand that he doesn’t HAVE to have sex?

As I used to tell the teens I worked with, I don’t know of anyone who’s died from lack of sex. But I know of lots of people who got AIDS (or other STDs, or pregnant) while using a condom.

 

[redrosetea]

I agree with this…There is no cure nor prevention that is 100% effective other than abstinence and monogamy

Who knew the pope was right after all…!

 

[Morwenna]

Thanks so much for posting this!

Isn’t it fairly simple, really?

I think a point that needs to be made is that abstinence and fidelity are 100% effective. This is what the Church (and the Papa) advocate.

Condoms are NOT 100% effective. To advocate using condoms is to advocate the less effective of the two methods.

So who really cares more about people’s bodily health (not to mention spiritual health)? The Pope, who is advocating a method that is 100% effective, or others who are advocating something that is not 100% effective?

The Pope (and the Church), is saying that people in Africa (and everywhere else) are totally capable of abstinence and fidelity. To me, that rings of respect.

Those advocating condom usage seem to be saying that people in Africa (and everywhere else) are incapable of controlling themselves, and therefore, since they’re “going to do it anyway”, they should have condoms. To me, that rings of condescension.

I saw a video on Patrick Madrid’s website where a lady from the U.K. named Joanna (I can’t remember her last name) put it very well. The host the show and the representative of a Protestant organization that was advocating condoms were saying that condom usage has proven effective in decreasing HIV incidence among sex workers. Joanna was saying that the Catholic Church, who is the only group there present among the sex workers, is saying “you don’t have to have sex with this guy, you don’t have to be a sex worker!” and trying to get the women out of the situation.

It seems to me that the Pope is concerned with each individual, whereas others are concerned just with statistics. The Pope doesn’t want anyone to contract HIV, doesn’t want anyone to have to be a sex worker, doesn’t want anyone to get HIV from their cheating spouse or have sex (and all its other consequences) outside the context of a loving, faithful, secure marriage.

Those who support condom usage are just happy to be “decreasing the incidence of HIV”. That only means the stats look better and “fewer” people are getting AIDs. That doesn’t mean that people are 100% protected both in body and in terms of their intrinsic human dignity.

What if it was your kid or someone you loved in the situation? Would you just give him a box of condoms and tell him to go take his chances? Or would you help him understand that he doesn’t HAVE to have sex?

As I used to tell the teens I worked with, I don’t know of anyone who’s died from lack of sex. But I know of lots of people who got AIDS (or other STDs, or pregnant) while using a condom.

Wonderful post, tijeras! Great points, right on target. Thank you!