From the Associated Press:
Pope Benedict XVI says in a new book that condoms can be justified for male prostitutes seeking to stop HIV, a stunning turnaround for a church that has long opposed condoms and a pontiff who has blamed them for making the AIDS crisis worse.
The pontiff made the comments in a book-length interview with a German journalist, “Light of the World: The Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times,” which is being released Tuesday. The Vatican newspaper ran excerpts on Saturday.
Church teaching has opposed condoms because they’re a form of artificial contraception although it has never released an explicit policy about condoms and HIV. The Vatican has been harshly criticized in light of the AIDS crisis.
Benedict said that for male prostitutes — for whom contraception isn’t the central issue — condoms are not a moral solution. But he said they could be justified “in the intention of reducing the risk of infection.”
He called it “a first step in a movement toward a different way, a more human way of living sexuality.”
How convenient that it only applies to men.
I guess all the ladies who want to prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases are out of luck.
that’s. freakin’. nuts.
how can they release this doctrine with a straight face? why aren’t catholics laughing out loud at this?
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Yeah, especially with all the hoo-ha about sexual abuse by priests that’s been in the news. To give male prostitutes the okay to use condoms? You’re right, Daisyfae. Nuts.
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As someone once said of an earlier Italian pope:
“If you don’t playa da game, don’t maka da rules.”
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LOL! Excellent, Thomas.
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Not surprising! When the rules are made by men, they will benefit men.
🙂 First time here and enjoyed it.
Pearl
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Thanks for commenting, Pearl. Y’all come back!
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A pontifical ruling attempting to walk a tightrope between a nonsensical position and reality. Truly bizarre.
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I think there should be a ruling against popes wearing red Prada loafers.
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The ATC … wonderful!!!
The “ruling”…. ridiculous!
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Thank you! The quote is lifted from Rita Rudner, one of the great minds of our time.
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Religious leaders throughout history have been brilliant at convoluted logic.
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Ladies don’t count to Popesy, you know. At least, not as much as men do. And young boys. (Oh dear, did I say that out loud?)
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I don’t pay much attention to the Pope except when I make fun of him, but he seems to be going out of his way to make things easier for the male prostitutes with this proclamation. Far be it for me to wonder why.
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Does anyone believe that male prostitutes really care about anything the Pope might have to say? BTW: As you likely know, the Vatican has now clarified that the condoms for protection against disease applies to females as well. Just don’t dare use them to prevent pregnancy!
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Totally off point…I’m hoping to hear you post about poor Tom DeLay. Of course, the trial was held in that hot bed liberal town of Austin so I’m certain The Hammer is right in saying it is a “miscarriage of justice.”
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Happy Thanksgiving! Bet you’re cooking up a storm.
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I have a hard time discussing the pope without resorting to taking names in vain. “A first step,” is it? Only a few centuries too late. Grrrr.
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I get all misty thinking about all those little sperms in all those condoms, their dreams of becoming baby Catholics forever thwarted. Somebody has to speak for them.
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Who are these ‘ladies’ of which you speak? The Catholic Church doesn’t ‘do’ ladies.
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