i still do not really know whether these are the actual statements from the pope about condoms. but i would have to assume that these are.
There may be a basis in the case of some individuals, as perhaps when a male prostitute uses a condom, where this can be a first step in the direction of a moralization, a first assumption of responsibility, on the way toward recovering an awareness that not everything is allowed and that one cannot do whatever one wants. But it is not really the way to deal with the evil of HIV infection. That can really lie only in a humanization of sexuality.
Peter Seewald: Are you saying, then, that the Catholic Church is actually not opposed in principle to the use of condoms?
HIS HOLINESS, POPE BENEDICT XVI: She of course does not regard it as a real or moral solution, but, in this or that case, there can be nonetheless, in the intention of reducing the risk of infection, a first step in a movement toward a different way, a more human way, of living sexuality.
oh the debate rages on. is it a seismic shift in the position of the church? if you read the comments on that blog, you would note the sentiment that the pope was taken out of context. and if you read the entire section, it pretty much is the same position of the church.
but i believe it is seismic. only because it is coming from a position of being absolute. that there is no situation, no context that will justify the use of a condom. that was how i have always read the position of the Church. giving this itsy-bitsy opening, a possibility of a justified use of condom, is seismic. it is paradigm-shifting.
and for that i have grown to love Pope Benedict! he is certainly no charmer like his predecessor. but this has made me appreciate the man.
Eucharistic Prayer
Lord, remember your Church throughout the world; make us grow in love, together with {Benedict} our Pope, {name of local bishop}, our bishop, and all the clergy.
Yes, I have grown in love, together with Benedict, our Pope.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
2 comments:
I was in the Philippine Blog Awards and your blog was announced on stage as one of the finalists. For personal category. Fyi. You didn't win though.
http://ficklecattle.blogspot.com/
the use of condom - for male prostitutes who would rather mitigate the infection or spread of HIV - is what seemed to be covered here.
therefore, you can use a condom:
1 - if you are a male prostitute
AND
2 - as male prostitute, you do not want to spread HIV infection thru any sexual contact.
if you fall in these 2 conditions: you can use condom. The Catholic Church is specific that you cannot use it for "fun" and ocassional hook-ups. Go bare.
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