The pope came under fierce attack this week after he suggested that condom use might hamper the fight against AIDS in Africa.

The pontiff, who is currently visiting Africa, reportedly told journalists that AIDS is “a tragedy that cannot be overcome by money alone, that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which can even increase the problem” (BBC).

That drew angry criticism from health experts. The French foreign ministry said his statements pose “a threat to public health policies and the duty to protect human life” (Bloomberg).

“My reaction is that this represents a major step backwards in terms of global health education, is entirely counter-productive, and is likely to lead to increases in HIV infection in Africa and elsewhere,” says Quentin Sattentau, an immunologist at Oxford University (Reuters).

Rebecca Hodesis, of South African AIDS group the Treatment Action Campaign, says, “Our reaction is one of anger and sadness because we know working in Africa for over ten years in treating and preventing HIV from the Treatment and Action Campaign’s perspective that condoms are one of the very few evidence-based means of preventing HIV.” (Voice of America.)

The Vatican maintains that condoms can encourage risky behaviour, a position at odds with scientific evidence, according to the World Health Organization (Reuters).

See also

John Paul’s 1990 speech ‘sentenced millions to die’ – The Times