Condoms are OK but not for birth control. Photo: europeanlifenetwork. blogspot.com.

Pope Benedict XVI has stated in a recent interview that he is OK with condom use as a method to prevent the spread of HIV. He does not condone using condoms to prevent pregnancy but in the case of male prostitution it is understandable. The comments are coming out of the book Light of the World: The Pope, The Church, and the Sign of the Times that was published yesterday. In the book, the Pope states that the Roman Catholic Church does not see condoms as "a real or moral solution," and says that they are "not really the way to deal with the evil of HIV infection. That can really lie only in a humanization of sexuality." This is the point that local church leaders are attempting to address as well.

Recently, HAHSTA hosted a One in the Spirit Symposium where local church leaders came together to discuss AIDS, stigma and sexuality in the church. Many of the leaders in attendance expressed sincere concern about the spread of the virus and stressed the importance of discussing it within the church. Condoms were also discussed as a means of preventing the virus. The key to getting more clergy members on board with condoms is first talking about sexuality (including homosexuality) among youth, adults, and even seniors in the church. Condom use is just one aspect of the discussion that needs to occur sooner rather than later.

For more information about the book, click here.

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