This picture of an AIDS poster was taken by me in Mozambique, ‘92.
No disrespect to my Catholic peeps, truly. I have been hesitant to publish this post because offending any one’s religious beliefs just isn’t my thing. But I read this article from the BBC. And then my husband forwarded another article to me. And it got me angry. So to hell with it (literally), I just have to say something about this.
Breathe.
The Pope has arrived in Africa. And he is suggesting – no – he is urging African citizens not to use condoms to prevent AIDS. He has flown to Africa to let folks there know that abstinence is the only answer to the AIDS epidemic.
He says that to the people of Africa.
A continent where it is projected that by 2025, 80 million people (10% of the continent) will die from AIDS (BBC).
And lets take the wonderful country of Swaziland for instance, where I spent 5 years growing up. Currently, almost 30% of the adult population in Swaziland has HIV or AIDS (honestly, I have heard from folks living there that this rate is as high as 50% but will report what I have found). Children are raising children on the streets, with no way of knowing how to sustain themselves or care for the babies on their hips. Why? Because their parents are dead. The fabric of this wonderful country has been forever changed because of the human void it is suffering with right now. People are simply just dead.
Why? Because they had unprotected sex with an infected partner.
This is a crises of epic, massive, earth shifting proportions. And the Pope says just stop having sex? That we really just have to keep our morals in check here? You know, go to church, stop having sex and all our problems will be solved?
Um, Mr. Pope (which I say with utmost honest respect), did you know the King of Swaziland has multiple wives? Its tradition there, no disrespect to the King, but multiple wives happens in Swaziland. Or did you know young girls are being raped and infected because it is rumored that having sex with a virgin ”cures” AIDS? Did you know that until recently many people weren’t convinced AIDS even existed at all? We need birth control and education – not empty promises of God’s salvation if we simply keep our legs shut.
Reality check: Sex happens. And will continue to happen. No matter how hard you pray it away, sex will happen (as it does in all over the world), with multiple partners. Often. Even after heartfelt promises of church going and abstinence are declared publicly, sex will keep on keeping on.
Oh and people having sex aren’t bad people by the way. Just for the record.
So what is the only shot we’ve got at curbing the spread of AIDS in Africa? Education and CONDOMS. (Along with access to HIV medications.)
But really, I am just afraid that there will be only two responses to the Pope’s suggestion of picking abstinence over condoms. 1) He will either be laughed at (which isn’t doing the Pope or the Catholic church and its mission any good at all anyway) or (2) condoms will be thrown aside because “the pope said so” – and then all that we have left is their blood on the Pope’s hands.
My hope is that the Pope’s trip to Africa will be eye-opening. I hope he can bring back to the Catholic church some first hand accounts about whats really happening there. Clearly I am not Catholic but I am forever the optimist. So I can hope.
And then I do have comfort knowing that he’ll certainly do one thing constructively. He’ll join the rest of the world as we pray for the souls of each person threatened by this horrible virus.
But Mr. Pope? Sir? Let’s just try to actually save some of them too, ok?
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10 comments ↓
Right on, girl! You provide an excellent insight since you have experienced Africa and its many traditions and riches first hand. These are PEOPLE we are talking about here. It is ridiculous to take human nature out of the equation. This Pope is erring on the extreme side and is putting women in danger. Case in point, excommunicating the pregnant 9-year old girl who was raped. I am infuriated over this issue.
GREAT post!
Thank you for writing it. As an EX-Catholic (long ago & far away) I wouldn’t be able to write anything about this (or the situation in Brazil) without a lot of swearing & certainly ticking off a lot of people.
Nice work.
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Excellent post. I’m Catholic (and continually conflicted). Your respect for the Pope is more than I can muster right about now in light of recent events.
We (collectively as a faith) need to pull our heads out of our “sands” and help to solve problems and ease burdens. Not confuse people and add to the dilemma.
O to the oy…I just want to scream
Thank you for sharing your opinion and I agree that people will continue to have sex. With that in mind it is irresponsible to do away with condoms. However the Pope does have a point. If people did not have sex, the disease would not spread. This isn’t an opinion based on any religious philosophy (for the record, I am not Catholic), but a fact based on science. The point that I am making is that human nature and responsibility need to meet in the middle and use better judgement.
Wonderful Post! I say this with huge respect for all religions but it is time that we take a reality check? Sometimes wishing on a prayer isn’t going to fix things. Taking action does.
I think the answer to our prayers to put a stop to all the deaths is by passing out condoms and then education. Prayer alone isn’t the answer unless it’s praying for more people to step up and take action.
I respect the Catholic faith and all it’s traditions, but even the Pope can’t offer absolution from AIDS. I know how to plan a funeral, it’s a horrible talent.
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You know, the current Pope could learn a lot from his predecessor. Africa is a continent with its own cultural heritage, and sadly, a place where rape is commonly used as a weapon. I’m not saying that is the only, or even most prevalent way AIDS is spread, just that there are more issues involved than preaching abstinence will address. Yes, there is an ideal he would like to promote. But we live in the real world — it doesn’t get more real than when you’re talking about AIDS.
I’m Catholic. I just think there are worse sins than condoms.
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I’m a Catholic, too (well, Catholic Lite) but still- we need to be realistic. IF the pope is celibate, he has no idea how compelling sex can be. Yes, abstinence will stop the spread of AIDS. In fact, it’s the only 100% effective method of birth and STD control, HOWEVER… GET A CLUE, POPE! The statistics alone should be enough to show any reasonably intelligent person that a problem exists, and we need to treat that problem as effectively as we can. Preventative care is the only way to go, and abstinence will just not cut it. I don’t expect the people of Africa to be celibate and neither should the pope. What is needed is a clear, effective, culturally sensitive education and condom distribution program. Abstinence can be a part of it, but pretending the problem isn’t there never helps! If I were a priest, I would give a sermon preaching common sense. Choices. Maybe I would encourage abstinence, but people, protect yourselves! Not just in Africa, but everywhere. Jeez!
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Excellent points made by everyone. Thank you for posting them. I read this article about the church’s issues with abstinence even with priests. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29777984/
The issue is so complex but one thing is very clear: abstinence is simply unrealistic and condoms save lives.
There are some burning sexual issues that the Pope might address. Granted these are very controversal and in some societies could draw blood–I am very serious. Absentence implies a woman’s role to make a choice.
Does a wife ever, under any circumstances have the right to say no to her husband?
Why isn’t rape a crime against humanity?
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