As a Catholic, I am concerned by any critic addressed to my faith and the people who are the guardians of its principles and doctrine like the Pope Benedict XVI. Short before his departure to Africa for a tour that led him to Cameroon ( my coutry of origin) and other countries, the Pope as Jesus did when preaching throughout his mission on earth, struck the minds of the World when stating that: "You can't resolve the AIDS's epidemic with the distribution of condoms. On the contrary it increases the problem." And not to mention that it increases the problem related to infidelity, poverty, and hindered the dignity of human being.
Right after that statement, the world from many horizons fight back the statement. Some governments were taking it as a diplomatic crisis between Vatican's state and their countries. The French Minister of Foreign Affairs went on Radio France International (RFI) saying : "We-France's governement-consider that these statements endanger public health policies and the imperative to protect human life." And the Center for Diseases Control and prevention (CDC) spokeman said that the Pope's denunciation of condoms was of no help.The World was divided between the Pro-Condoms and Con-Condoms. Where was my position between these people? and where is yours?
Let me say that, the Pope's statements has not struck my mind like other people. Because, I am pretty much certain that the Pope who is the leader of Catholic church was making these statements in light of the Catholic teachings on Condoms and AIDS which are part of the Catholic Sexual Moral teachings. These teachings were stressed by Msgr. Antonio Soto Guerero, member of the Pontifical Council for Health in April 2006 when he said: " The Doctrine of Catholic Church are not out of the principles of Catholic Moral. In regard to AIDS, abstinence is the absolute prevention; We have to remember that AIDS is huge part of moral disorder facing the seventh commandement-Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery or corrolaries to this, Thou Shalt Not Commit Fornication." So in light of this principle, the Church and its leaders based on the Scriptures RECOMMEND or ADVISE not FORCED the followers of Christ and any individual that we are to use abstinence before our mariage and fidelity to our husbands and wives while in marriage because the failure to do so will lead us to Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STD) and AIDS, not to mention the consequences of infedelity which are broken families, abandonment of children and other problems affecting the well being of a family. The Catholic church and other denominations teach people to follow the will of God with the knowledge that it is up to them to do so or not because we were given free will to do what ever we want and to bear the consequences of our acts. So I do not see why people have to call the Pope by any name for we have to choose to use condoms or not and to bear the consequences of such act. Within the context of Catholic Faith and Principles, the Pope was just doing his job of counciling and guidance of its ships. Jesus was not forcing his followers to do what ever he deems good for them but he was advising them and reminded them that every one will be accountable to the Master of life not to mention himself.
Taken in the scientific view, one can say the usage of condoms is more likely to prevent the spread of HIV-AIDS as it is so far the best disease's prevention that Sciences have found. The Condoms when properly use, prevent the flowing of sperm to the woman's uterus. And it does so for the microbes and viruses that the man's sperm can carry or the woman's uterus can shelter. Some scientifics have said that the successfull rate of condoms prevention ability is 99% so the other 1% may be found in the proper usage of condom, or in the manufacturing of the brands since some brands are stronger than other. This percentage can be a reason for the Pope to propose in conjunction with the Catholic Teachings that ABSTINENCE is the absolute and successfull prevention to solve the spread of HIV-AIDS.
We have to remember that the World is full of disasters and any proposition to solve the problem or improve our life has to be taken seriously and study and not to be criticized as if it is worthless in the quality of our journey on earth.
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