On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Spain's Catholic Church acknowledged that condoms have a role to play in a broader strategy -- based primarily on sexual abstinence and fidelity -- to fight AIDS. There is scientific evidence that condoms can combat the spread of HIV, said Juan Antonio Martinez Camino, spokesperson for Spain's Bishops' Conference.

A recent Lancet article supported an integrated approach to tackling AIDS, including condom usage and sexual restraint, Martinez Camino said after a meeting with Spanish Health Minister Elena Salgado.

"The Church is very worried and interested by this problem, and its position is backed by scientific proposals such as this one published in the prestigious magazine the Lancet," said Martinez Camino. "The time has come, the Lancet magazine says, for a joint strategy in the prevention of such a tragic pandemic as AIDS, and contraception has a place in a global approach to tackling AIDS," he said.

Martinez Camino's statement could mean the Spanish Church intends to avoid a face-off with Spain's Socialist government, which is promoting condom use to fight AIDS. Official Roman Catholic teaching bans condom use -- because it is a form of contraception -- and it advocates abstinence -- even between members of a serodiscordant married couple -- as the best way to stop AIDS. The Vatican has not issued a definitive statement on using condoms in limited cases to stop AIDS.

Most Vatican officials who have commented on the issue oppose condom-use campaigns. Last week, however, surprise greeted remarks by Brussels Cardinal Godfried Danneels, a potential successor to Pope John Paul, who said he could reluctantly accept the use of condoms to prevent the spread of AIDS.

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