Benedict XVI looks at pygmies dancing in Yaounde on the third day of his six-day African tour on March 20, 2009: Image by Reuters
For an on-the-scene summary of the pope's African travels to date and a balanced perspective on the brouhaha around his airborne comment on condoms, check out John Allen's reports at NCR. 2009popeonaids
I thought that Allen's column was great and brought things into much needed perspective.
ReplyDeleteFran
Had just read John Allen's report. Excellent! And what a good sense of humor he has, e.g., he packed his suit jackets, but forgot to pack the pants, so was able to help out the local economy!
ReplyDeleteJohn Paul II was considered such a super star on his trips, but I think Benedict XVI seems to make a hit wherever he goes too.
Thanks for the link to this article. It is really well worth the read and gives a whole new perspective to the Pope's trip. I is really too bad that newspapers only focus on one thing - the condom issue - and short change you on the rest of the news!
ReplyDeleteThe Pope’s comments in Africa were touching, thoughtful, and compassionate.
ReplyDeleteHe called on people to speak up in the face of violence, poverty, hunger and corruption. He spoke of Africa’s "painful wounds, its enormous potential and hopes".
It is a shame that this historic visit to Africa was overshadowed by his comments on condoms.
I clearly understand that he was reiterating the church's long-standing position.
The suggestion that condom distribution "increases the problem" of the HIV epidemic is wrong.
The pope is right: Distribution of condoms alone won't solve the problem.
The use of condoms does not promote promiscuity and HIV. This kind of a statement risks undoing many years of promoting the prevention of STD’s.
There is considerable resistance from certain sections of African society - typically men - to using condoms. They see it as emasculating and unnecessary.
Years of educational work have gone into trying to reduce the stigma attached to condom use in Africa.
People aren't going to stop having sex. Access to condoms won't make them have more sex. And denying people access to condoms, or to accurate sexual information, won't make them have less sex.
Condoms are not the solution but I’m sure are part of the solution.