Spanish church accepts condoms as part of anti-AIDS strategy

[Stockholm]

MADRID (AFP) In a radical shift, Spanish Roman Catholic bishops have for the first time accepted the use of condoms to combat AIDS, reigniting a moral and religious debate but drawing a sharp response from the Vatican.

A senior prelate insisted that the Vatican continued to condemn the use of condoms as "contrary to Catholic morality" while the conservative organisation Opus Dei reacted with astonishment.

The debate follows remarks from the Reverend Juan Antonio Martinez Camino, secretary general of the Spanish bishops' conference, who said the prophylactic "has its place in the context of the integral and global prevention of AIDS."

He made his statement, a marked step away from the conservative stance of Pope John Paul II, after a meeting Tuesday with Spanish Health Minister Elena Salgado.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

http://www.afp.com/english/newsml/stories/050119163352.iwi1niop.html

[aden_nak]

1. Human Lives > Dogma. Good for them!

There'd be less animosity towards major religious organizations if they weren't still stuck in the dark ages.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. The Spanish are move advanced than most people realize.

[aden_nak]

3. I'm 1/4 Spanish. Does that mean that I am 1/4 advanced? /laugh

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. Depends. Were you raised in Spain?

[aden_nak]

6. No. Drat!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

9. Yes. A very liberal people. Interestingly enough the Catholic church there

has one of the nastiest histories. This is the birthplace of Opus Dei, remember.

Oh, and of course no one expects, etc, etc.

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. European governments are centuries older than ours.

Britain also went through a theocractic period. The monarchy and the church were one. It's was a horrible era, full of violence and power abuse. And because of that history, England will be resistant to American Christian rightest.

[Stepup2]

4. It is about time.

Think of the number of people who will be "saved" with this action.

[The White Tree]

7. Wow - To paraphrase Monty Python

Nobody expects a Spanish Contradiction

It's chief weapon is Common Sense....

... and scientific evidence that condoms save lives...

...and a desire to save not see people die.

[Moderator]

8. Stockholm

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
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Thank you.


DU Moderator