http://www.economist.com/agenda/displaystory.cfm?story_id=E1_GRQSQDQ
(requires a subscription, unfortunately)

Pope Benedict XVI has asked a team of experts to prepare a statement on the use of condoms by married people who carry infectious viruses such as HIV. Even the most cautious discussion of this subject marks a encouraging change in approach by the Vatican, which has long opposed the use of condoms under any circumstances. The review coincides with the 25th anniversary of the discovery of AIDS and a record of dismal failure in stopping its spread

THEOLOGIANS used to ponder how many angels might fit onto the head of a pin. Now experts in the Vatican are to consider something more practical, though perhaps just as difficult for non-Catholics to understand. The head of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Health and Pastoral Care confirmed in an interview with an Italian newspaper, La Repubblica, that the council had been asked by Pope Benedict XVI to study whether those infected with HIV (and other grave infectious diseases) should use condoms. Although the Catholic church opposes contraception, some liberal cardinals now argue that the fight against sexually transmitted illness—notably AIDS—is so pressing that the use of condoms, in some circumstances, should not be condemned. It might be justified, for example, if the intention were not to prevent conception but to stop the spread of a virus from husband to wife.

It is now a quarter of a century since scientists identified a mysterious disease that killed people by destroying their immune systems. In the years since it has become clear how one might discourage the transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Nobody claims this is easy to do, but it is known to spread mainly through unprotected sex. Consequently an “ABC” of combined approaches is thought to help: abstinence (or at least postponing the age of one's first sexual experiences); being faithful to one’s partner; and condom use.

It may be that Pope Benedict is now willing to shift, if only for couples, the church’s opposition to the third part of this mantra. This matters, especially in Africa, Latin America and Asia, where AIDS is increasingly prevalent and the views of the Pope are held in high regard. Last week a retired Archbishop from Milan, Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, suggested that married couples where one partner has HIV might use condoms against infection. Although this contradicts the idea that contraception is against God’s will and natural law, this is, he suggests, “a lesser evil” than passing on the virus. “This person has an obligation to protect the other partner and the other partner also has to protect themselves”, he says. It may be that Cardinal Martini, along with a small minority of like-minded cardinals, is testing the waters to see the reaction of more conservative church leaders.

Something new certainly needs to be tried. The death toll from AIDS is appallingly high. Some 25m people have probably died of it; another 40m may be infected with HIV, mostly in Africa. In countries like Botswana, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, in southern Africa, roughly a third of adults are infected. Life expectancy for many Africans is now well under 40 years. And though drugs exist to treat the symptoms of AIDS, and there is hopeful talk of a vaccine being created one day, the disease will not be beaten unless transmission is reduced.

A change in policy by the Vatican, where the Pope has been installed for only a year, could be influential. It is not only the church that has discouraged the use of condoms. The American government, one of the largest donors to anti-AIDS campaigns in the developing world, has proved increasingly unwilling in the past few years to fund programmes that promote condoms. Some African presidents are also sceptical about their use. And too many ordinary Africans, often suspecting that outsiders want to prevent them from having children, are suspicious about the use of condoms. If the Pope were to shift the Vatican’s position that, perhaps, might encourage a change in attitude elsewhere, too.

Let's talk about sex
Whether that would translate into lives saved is harder to say. There are many messy reasons why safer-sex campaigns have failed to do more to halt the spread of AIDS. Sex in many countries is a taboo subject and not easily discussed. Women are typically victims and too often lack the power to control how it takes place. Some poorly-educated Africans (and others) still do not understand what AIDS is and how it is passed on. Yet others have been subjected to so many years of dire warnings about the disease that they have grown fatalistic, each assuming he is already infected and thus has nothing to gain by taking precautions. Still others are naturally suspicious when foreigners or their governments deign to give instruction on the most personal of topics. And in many places elders consider it shameful for the young to carry condoms, especially for young women, as this may indicate a promiscuous sex life.

But, at the least, the Pope’s review may encourage wider discussion of how best to tackle AIDS while raising awareness of it among potential victims. In rich countries he might help counter an increasing weariness with the topic. And in the field, for example in the remotest corners of Congo or Mozambique or Angola, Catholic missionaries may find it easier to give more comprehensive help to those who must live with AIDS.

____________________________________________________

Damn, I was excited by the headline, but it turns out its much ado about nothing. We can only hope that the church may continue to revise its stance in the future.

That's good that the church will now discourage people from killing their partners with AIDS.

I thought AIDS was sent by God to kill homos, not mommies and daddies.

huh, huh...BeneDICt

Anyone ever blow one up on their heads?

As a lapsed Catholic, allow me to ask; who the fuck really cares what the Pope has to say about anything anyway?

What does the Pope need condoms for?

Maybe some cardinals in Africa do, who knows?