The Church teaches that Birth Control is an intrinsic evil, such as abortion and masterbation. That means there is NEVER a reason by which it would be justified. There can be justification for murder and war, such as in self defense or in the case of the “Just War”. I repeat BC can NEVER be justified for ANY reason.
Then, with all due respect, you don’t understand Church teaching. The Church in the U.S. allows a rape victim who is not pregnant to use a method to prevent a pregnancy from the rape. And what is called “birth control” can be used to treat hormone imbalances in women. It’s not all black and white.
If the Pope is saying that BC can be used to prevent AIDS, then he is flat out wrong. This goes against the teaching of the church and any catholic who hasn’t been in a coma over the last few decades knows this.
Does it really go against the teaching of the Church? And is it an
ex cathedra statement? Is the Pope entitled to his opinion? Is that something he needs to give up once he becomes Pope? Of course you are entitled to your opinion. But isn’t the Pope entitled to his opinion, too?
Jesus said that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church. So they won’t.
Stop making excuses everytime something like this happens. I’m sick to death of it! Sometimes things are exactly as they appear to be. The pope is not a dunce. He had to have known what scandle his comments would lead to in the age of “viral” electronic media. And he has to know that there are factions in the church which are just aching to undo the teaching on BC.
No excuses need to be made because the Pope did nothing wrong. You’re making assumptions. It’s true that sometimes things are exactly as they appear to be and this is one of those cases. But what it appears to be (and is) is a comment made about a male homosexual prostitute and nobody else.
It makes no difference whether it’s “from the chair” or simply his opinion millions of catholics are going to walk away from this thinking that the Pope has OKed condom use in certain circumstances.
It is very sad that so many Catholics (and non-Catholics) don’t understand infallibility and
ex cathedra statements. Maybe we should educate them? If millions of Catholics walk away from this thinking that the Pope has said that condom use is acceptable in certain circumstances, then they are correct. It’s the
certain circumstances that is important. If millions of Catholics walk away thinking that the Pope has said that condom use is OK among heterosexuals, then they are completely wrong.
What about the woman who has had 8 children and her doctors warn her another could kill her? Does the husband who fears for his wife’s life now feel justified in wearing a condom? Well why wouldn’t he? If it’s good enough for homosexual prostitutes in Africa, why not good catholic married men?
Good enough? Don’t you understand that it isn’t that it’s “good enough”? Do you think condom use is something good? Do you think Catholics
want to use condoms? Or do you think that in marriage both the husband and wife are blessed almost beyond belief with the possibility of being allowed to conceive, nurture, and raise a child? Good Catholic married men would never use condoms or if they did they would confess their grievous sin. Anyway, why would a good Catholic man use a condom? Because of what the Pope said about a homosexual male prostitute? Why are you comparing the two situations? The married man is so blessed! The homosexual male prostitute is carrying a heavy cross and should be prayed for and maybe even pitied.
And I thought I was at my breaking point with the Pope’s 2007 letter to the Chinese underground church. I am a hairs breath away from Pope Pius X.
I don’t know about all that is going on and I really haven’t made up my mind on whether what the Pope said was a good thing or a bad thing. But what I’m seeing in a lot of posts is that the Pope’s words are being taken out of context and being used to somehow show that a person can justify the use of condoms with the Pope’s (and ergo, the Church’s) blessing. (I don’t mean that your post has stated this.) The Pope’s comments were specifically about male homosexual prostitutes, not married (or unmarried) heterosexual couples.
The Pope never stated what you are stating in your post. If heterosexual married men (or even those that aren’t married) use condoms they are participating in a grave matter. Period. The reason behind this is that it blocks the possibility of pregnancy and that is not allowed as it, along with bonding in love, is what marriage is for. A homosexual prostitute is not going to impregnate another homosexual male. It can’t be done. But that prostitute can give HIV to his “client.” The two are not married and cannot be married, so why bring in all this stuff about marriage?
Please, I don’t want to argue with anyone and I can understand a bit where you are coming from. I can see the problems that have been caused by the Pope’s statement. But if what he said is Truth, how can that be wrong? Do we Catholics have to walk on egg shells all the time because we might offend someone or cause someone who doesn’t understand Church teaching to leave the Church? Should we speak in whispers only amongst ourselves so that we don’t offend a non-Catholic?
There is a lot of prejudice against Catholics and a lot of it shows up in these forums. I’ve experienced it. Probably most of us have. This is an opportunity for us to teach those who don’t understand. And if we are persecuted for it, so what? Remember: Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
It seems worth it to me.
Excellent idea!! Prayer is probably our best tool right now. Please, let us all pray for the Pope - that he be given wisdom from the Holy Spirit so that he knows what to do now.
