medical ethics

[dimmazo]

Its difficult to understand the church position when it comes to situtions involving the use of condoms. From what I gather, the Church is totally against the use of condoms hence it upholds and promotes the ‘natural law’ when it comes to issues pertaining family planing measures. However, I would like to know what stands it take given a situation of a couple whereby the male partner is HIV positive and the other partner is negative. Does the church still say no to the use of condoms in this case? If no, then there seem to be a paradox in the sense that in such a scenerio, in pastoral theology, theologians may argue that condoms are the best solution, yet on the other hand in moral theology, condoms are forbidden. Its like theChurch is saying in the confessionals it is fine to use condoms in certain situations and at the pulpit She say no to the use of condoms. What is the stance of the Church…Up to this time I’ven’t got a clear cut answer. Can anyone help make this clear to me…

 

[StatCrux]

The position of the Church is marvelously simple and rings of Truth. Many people have a difficult time understanding it because it rejects modern society’s worship of sex.

The use of condoms is forbidden regardless of circumstance. A married couple in such a situation would have to abstain from sexual relations. Sexual relations *unnaturally *deprived of their natural life-giving aspect are just that- unnatural, lustful, and sinful.

The pastoral and theological solutions are identical: abstain from sexual relations.

The pastoral “solution” to use a condom is to cooperate in a grave evil and is no solution at all. It is a false solution that appears at the very most partially right because of the warped lens that society gives us when we examine sexuality.

Quite a difficult cross to bear. Those who are in such situations are in need of our prayers.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

The ‘pastoral’ solution you indicate is no pastoral solution at all. The Church simply never says it would be better for a couple to use a condom. They should abstain.

 

[kaygee]

abstaining is the best route for the couple. . . condoms are not 100% effective in preventing the transmission of STD’s. Is it an act of love if one is offering the partner even a 1% chance of getting HIV or other STD? It is a heavy cross to bear, but if one wants the best for one’s partner, there is no other option.

 

[1ke]

However, I would like to know what stands it take given a situation of a couple whereby the male partner is HIV positive and the other partner is negative. Does the church still say no to the use of condoms in this case?

Contraception is intrinsically disodered. This means it is never permissable.

A couple in this situation would be called to continence.

If no, then there seem to be a paradox in the sense that in such a scenerio, in pastoral theology, theologians may argue that condoms are the best solution, yet on the other hand in moral theology, condoms are forbidden.

Theologians can be mistaken.

Its like theChurch is saying in the confessionals it is fine to use condoms in certain situations and at the pulpit She say no to the use of condoms.

The Church says no such thing. The Church teaches only one doctrine.

What is the stance of the Church…Up to this time I’ven’t got a clear cut answer. Can anyone help make this clear to me…

Contraception is intrinsically disordered and a grave sin against the sixth commandment.

 

[Newbie2]

The ‘pastoral’ solution you indicate is no pastoral solution at all. The Church simply never says it would be better for a couple to use a condom. They should abstain.

I think the poster was referring to such a “pastoral solution” as one that is suggested by some priests in an attempt to be “pastoral”, not that it was necessarily a correct “solution” .

abstaining is the best route for the couple. . . condoms are not 100% effective in preventing the transmission of STD’s. Is it an act of love if one is offering the partner even a 1% chance of getting HIV or other STD? It is a heavy cross to bear, but if one wants the best for one’s partner, there is no other option.

Excellent point, kaygee.

A couple of years ago, I read a paper by a friend’s brother, who is a priest, serving in Rome. In it, he addresses this particular issue with special regard to situations like in African areas that have an extremely high rate of HIV infection. He articulated much better than I ever could the Church’s position on this matter. Wish I could find it so I could give you a couple of quotes…