In a new book out this week the Pope talks about the use of condoms:
There may be a basis in the case of some individuals, as perhaps when a male prostitute uses a condom, where this can be a first step in the direction of a moralisation When asked if the Church is not, in principle, opposed to the use of condoms he says:
She of course does not regard it as a real or moral solution, but, in this or that case, there can be nonetheless, in the intention of reducing the risk of infection, a first step in a movement toward a different way, a more human way, of living sexuality. This has sparked a debate about whether this means the Church is relaxing its ban on contraception. And whether that is a a good idea or not, especially in the fight against HIV.
Christina Odone thinks the Pope's ruling is a 'liberation'
Trinity in Jamaica emailed - I am a practicing Catholic who lives in the real world and I was never comfortable because I think that the Church's stance on condom use in the transmission HIV/AIDS has always been incompatible in respecting and protecting human life which are both tenants of Catholic faith
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:27
113631290
Paa in Accra, Ghana emailed - I don't really think what the Pope said is anti-religion. It is what has to do with real life situation and that is his opinion on how we'll combat the deadly HIV AIDS.
Comment sent via BLOG
18:26
113631290
Alan on the blog - It's wonderful that this Pope has come around by seeing too the needs of it's members, that meet the demands of the current times and societal problems.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:25
113631290
Kondwani - is the pope condoning prostitution among catholics?
Comment sent via Facebook
18:24
113631290
Raymond - We welcome the Pope's statement over the essence of condoms but it should not be a misconception for one to engage in idiosyncrasy, illicit and promiscuous behaviors!!
Comment sent via BLOG
18:23
113631290
Archibald on the blog - At least 60% of the world's population knows that condom use is the right choice for disease and pregnancy prevention and have known this for decades. The other 40% are foolishly waiting for the Pope or Imam or other direct line to god to tell them it is ok. Why is it so hard for so many religious leaders to accept the realities of the world they live in?
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:22
113631290
John in Lagos emailed - There is a misinformation and misconception about what the pope actually meant. The Catholic Church has not changed its stand on total abstinence. And it is not likely to give in to any pressure of whatever kind!
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:21
113631290
Martin in Germany emailed - Thank god, he finally makes this official statement - his position on condoms has been painfully embarrassing for many Catholics. This announcement really does change a lot for the catholic church. I believe this to be is an important step towards a modern and more enlightened way of religious practice.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:21
113631290
Andrew in Ghana - What about a married person who has HIV, can that person use a condom in order to protect their partner?
Comment sent via SMS
18:21
113416970
I am a United Methodist and I think the Pope is being realistic about life. Only those who want to pretend will judge the Pope wrong for his statement. E -missing Fragment-
Comment sent via BLOG
18:19
113631290
Elias on the blog - If there is to be some credibility, how can the Catholic Church with the Pope as its head put right to all the sextual abuses by several of their Priests against young boys in the past, so far only a drop in the ocean has been revealed
Comment sent via BLOG
18:17
113631290
Chris on the blog - They reason condoms are banned is because they are a CONTRACEPTIVE. Intercourse according to the Church teaching is to create life and therefore using a contraceptive is a sin. Hence the ban.
Comment sent via SMS
18:11
108798409
D Pope鈥檚 statement should have no impact on how Catholics behave because a good Catholic can never be a prostitute. Simple! Musa Y. Sherif, Monrovia
Comment sent via host
18:11
113631290
Ben S here: We''ve got three topics today: Is the Pope right on condom use? (see above); the Irish bail-out; and the mine disaster in New Zealand. Your questions/comments welcome here - and listen live at
Comment sent via SMS
18:03
108513545
So good catholic male prostitutes can use condoms, but good catholic female prostitutes can鈥檛? Am I missing something here? Banks, amsterdam
Is the Pope right about condoms?
| Monday, 11 Nov. 2010 | 18:06 - 19:00 GMT
In a new book out this week the Pope talks about the use of condoms:
There may be a basis in the case of some individuals, as perhaps when a male prostitute uses a condom, where this can be a first step in the direction of a moralisation
When asked if the Church is not, in principle, opposed to the use of condoms he says:
She of course does not regard it as a real or moral solution, but, in this or that case, there can be nonetheless, in the intention of reducing the risk of infection, a first step in a movement toward a different way, a more human way, of living sexuality.
This has sparked a debate about whether this means the Church is relaxing its ban on contraception. And whether that is a a good idea or not, especially in the fight against HIV.
Christina Odone thinks the Pope's ruling is a 'liberation'
Your comments
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Trinity in Jamaica emailed - I am a practicing Catholic who lives in the real world and I was never comfortable because I think that the Church's stance on condom use in the transmission HIV/AIDS has always been incompatible in respecting and protecting human life which are both tenants of Catholic faith
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Paa in Accra, Ghana emailed - I don't really think what the Pope said is anti-religion. It is what has to do with real life situation and that is his opinion on how we'll combat the deadly HIV AIDS.
Comment sent via BLOG
Alan on the blog - It's wonderful that this Pope has come around by seeing too the needs of it's members, that meet the demands of the current times and societal problems.
Comment sent via Facebook
Kondwani - is the pope condoning prostitution among catholics?
Comment sent via Facebook
Raymond - We welcome the Pope's statement over the essence of condoms but it should not be a misconception for one to engage in idiosyncrasy, illicit and promiscuous behaviors!!
Comment sent via BLOG
Archibald on the blog - At least 60% of the world's population knows that condom use is the right choice for disease and pregnancy prevention and have known this for decades. The other 40% are foolishly waiting for the Pope or Imam or other direct line to god to tell them it is ok. Why is it so hard for so many religious leaders to accept the realities of the world they live in?
Comment sent via YOURSAY
John in Lagos emailed - There is a misinformation and misconception about what the pope actually meant. The Catholic Church has not changed its stand on total abstinence. And it is not likely to give in to any pressure of whatever kind!
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Martin in Germany emailed - Thank god, he finally makes this official statement - his position on condoms has been painfully embarrassing for many Catholics. This announcement really does change a lot for the catholic church. I believe this to be is an important step towards a modern and more enlightened way of religious practice.
Comment sent via Facebook
Andrew in Ghana - What about a married person who has HIV, can that person use a condom in order to protect their partner?
Comment sent via SMS
I am a United Methodist and I think the Pope is being realistic about life. Only those who want to pretend will judge the Pope wrong for his statement. E -missing Fragment-
Comment sent via BLOG
Elias on the blog - If there is to be some credibility, how can the Catholic Church with the Pope as its head put right to all the sextual abuses by several of their Priests against young boys in the past, so far only a drop in the ocean has been revealed
Comment sent via BLOG
Chris on the blog - They reason condoms are banned is because they are a CONTRACEPTIVE. Intercourse according to the Church teaching is to create life and therefore using a contraceptive is a sin. Hence the ban.
Comment sent via SMS
D Pope鈥檚 statement should have no impact on how Catholics behave because a good Catholic can never be a prostitute. Simple! Musa Y. Sherif, Monrovia
Comment sent via host
Ben S here: We''ve got three topics today: Is the Pope right on condom use? (see above); the Irish bail-out; and the mine disaster in New Zealand. Your questions/comments welcome here - and listen live at
Comment sent via SMS
So good catholic male prostitutes can use condoms, but good catholic female prostitutes can鈥檛? Am I missing something here? Banks, amsterdam