The Pope Considers a Life-Saving New Policy

For more than 25 years, AIDS has killed millions around the globe. The leading cause for AIDS transmission is unprotected sex, but the influential Catholic Church has refused to allow condoms under any circumstances, including preventing the spread of disease. In response to the AIDS crisis, the Catholic Church could edge toward a somewhat more lenient stance on condom use. Despite church opposition to contraception, liberal cardinals have recommended that condoms may be appropriate in some cases to stop the spread of the disease, and Pope Benedict XVI has asked a health team to study whether those infected should use condoms. The proposal is limited and could just apply to married couples, one of whom is infected with AIDS. But mere consideration of such a study is new territory for the Catholic Church and sends a powerful signal that emphasizes common-sense protection, particularly in countries, where up to one third of the adult population is infected and education about transmission is minimal. The Catholic Church is not alone in dragging its feet on best practices for protection: Some African government leaders deny AIDS is a problem, and even a primary anti-AIDS donor – the US government – is reticent about promoting condom use. AIDS claimed more than 3 million lives in 2005. – YaleGlobal