Cardinal Criticized for Remarks About HIV

[Khephra]

VATICAN CITY -- A top Vatican cardinal's claim that condoms don't protect against the virus that causes AIDS was criticized by the U.N. health agency Friday as "totally wrong."

The disagreement arose after Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, head of the Pontifical Council for the Family, told the British Broadcasting Corp. that HIV is small enough to pass through a condom.

His comment is in line with previous comments from the Vatican, which opposes birth control and recommends abstinence as the best way to prevent the spread of the deadly virus. The Catholic Church has been criticized for its opposition to condoms, particularly in poor regions of the world devastated by AIDS.

The BBC released a partial transcript of Lopez Trujillo's comments, some of which will be broadcast Sunday in a documentary called "Panorama -- Sex and the Holy City."

more................

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-vatican-condoms,0,5320427.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines

[LittleApple81]

1. He is a Colombian. Heavens protect us if he is named pope!

There are a lot of people in Latin America (the poor, especially) that really take the church seriously. He is a VERY CONSERVATIVE pro oligarchy person with no concern for realities of life for the poor and downtrodden.

[Liberal Veteran]

2. As well he should be.

While it is true that condoms are not 100 percent effective in preventing transmission of HIV, they do a pretty damned good job of it when used correct and to imply otherwise is reckless beyond belief.

[SemperEadem]

3. considering England's stand on papists

I'm surprised they didn't whip him as a strumpet in Bridewell...

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. you don't understand - it's transubstantiation

The condom may start out as impermeable latex, but when placed on a good Roman Catholic, it mysteriously becomes a net.

[Duncan Grant]

5. Vatican Scientific Panel Wrong Again

Oops! They don't have one!
The thing I like about Rome is the clothes, the pizza, and the pizza. And the art (although I prefer Florence...)
Seriously, if you don't have some science on this, why make the claim?
But remember, the CDC only came out with a definitive statment about condom efficacy a few years back. So our federales are not that far behind the Vatican.
Be afraid.

edit: for clarity