THE VATICAN'S Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) has issued a "note" correcting what it sees as mistaken interpretations of remarks made by Pope Benedict XVI in his recently published book, Light Of The World.
Given the huge international echo of papal comments which appeared to justify the use of condoms, the CDF is at pains to point out that the pope’s words in no way represent a break from “the traditional moral teaching of the church” but rather they relate to problems posed by the spread of HIV/Aids.
In his book, the pope says there can be “particular cases” where the use of condoms can be “justified”, adding that such use (by a prostitute) “can be a first step towards moral behaviour”. The pope does, however, say “this is not the only true way to defeat the HIV virus”, calling instead for “a real humanisation of sexuality”.
In this week’s note, the CDF claims the pope’s words have been “repeatedly manipulated”, saying Benedict was talking about neither “conjugal morality nor about the moral norms concerning contraception”, adding: “The idea that anyone could deduce from the words of [the pope] that it is somehow legitimate in certain situations to use condoms to avoid an unwanted pregnancy is completely arbitrary and is in no way justified either by his words or in his thought.”
The note goes on to confirm that the teaching of Paul VI's controversial 1968 encyclical, Humanae Vitae, has not changed, urging Catholics to practise "responsible procreation" through "natural family planning".
The CDF is keen to underline that the pope’s remarks were made in the context of the HIV/Aids pandemic. While the pope’s words “clearly affirm that the provision of condoms does not constitute the real or moral solution” to the problem of Aids, the note adds: “In this context, however, it cannot be denied that anyone who uses a condom in order to diminish the risk posed to another person is intending to reduce the evil connected with his or her immoral activity.”
In this sense, the Holy Father points out that the use of a condom with the intention of reducing the risk of infection, can be a first step in a “movement towards . . . a more human way, of living sexuality”.
As for any misunderstandings about the pope’s reference to prostitution, the note reminds the faithful that it represents “a type of behaviour that Christian morality has always considered gravely immoral”.
Furthermore, the CDF says that those commentators who argue the use of condoms can represent a “lesser evil” have misunderstood the pope’s words, saying an action which is “objectively evil, even if a lesser evil, can never be licitly willed”.
Confusingly, the CFD appears to contradict itself when, on this very point, it adds: “However, those involved in prostitution who are HIV positive and seek to diminish the risk of contagion by the use of a condom may be taking the first step in respecting the life of another . . .”