The pope was criticized for making a statement about the ineffectiveness of condom promotion in stemming the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa, but four international pro-life organizations have gathered 45,000 signatures in his support.  

Kath.net based in Austria; Human Life International in Virginia; Human Life International in Europa (based in Poland); and Vida Humana Internacional in Miami, have joined forces to gather support for Pope Benedict.

In a recent news release, the organizations said they have gathered 45,000 signatures thus far in support of the pope.

“What the Holy Father said was absolutely true,” Joseph Meaney, Human Life International’s director of International Coordination, said in the news release. “It is an embarrassment to all who have so irresponsibly and often hatefully opposed him that what he said is verified by any honest examination of the evidence about what has worked historically to lower AIDS transmission rates in Africa.”

The campaigns of support will continue through May 1, at which point the letters and signatures will be presented to the Holy See.

For more information, go online to In Support of the Pope.

(AP Photo above: Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful on Easter Monday at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo in the hills south of Rome.)  

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

Anytime the pontiff mentions this sensitive subject is draws attention.

His latest remarks on the issue, made during this week’s papal trip to Africa, are no different.

The Associated Press reported that the pope told reporters on his flight to Cameroon that a responsible and moral attitude toward sex would help fight AIDS, not the distribution of condoms.  

His remarks brought both support… :

“Anyone who thinks that condom distribution, eduction and/or research is going to solve a problem which is mostly a function of behavioral recklessness is positively clueless. Not only that, such persons unwittingly contribute to the problem by distracting attention and resources away from that which works,” Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League For Religious and Civil Rights, said in a prepared statement.

… and opposition:

“We call on the pope to revisit the teaching on condoms with a view to lifting the ban at the earliest possible moment. In his review, he should include experts who are unequivocal that condoms can help prevent the spread of HIV, like UNAIDS, the World Health Organization and HIV/AIDS advocacy organizations around the world,” Jon O’Brien, president of Catholics for Choice, said in a statement.

Meanwhile …

George Wirnkar, director of outreach for Human Life International’s Francophone Africa Region, said the media missed the “true” story behind Pope Benedict’s African trip. Wirnkar expressed surprise over the “furor” over the pope’s remarks:

“I would say that this problem of AIDS canot be overcome with advertising slogans. If the soul is lacking, if Africans do not help one another, the scourge cannot be resolved by distributing condoms; quite the contrary, we risk worsening the problem,” Wirnkar said in a  statement.

“The solution can only come through a twofold commitment: firstly, the humanization of sexuality, in other words a spiritual and human renewal bringing a new way of behaving towards one another; and secondly true friendship, above all with those who are suffering, a readiness — even through personal sacrifice — to be present with those who suffer.

“Perhaps the historic first visit of the Holy Father to Africa and his providential first stop in Yaounde, Cameroon should herald an era where the authentic voice of Africans is heard rather than the imposed views of Western press who do not speak for the people of Africa — the continent of hope.”

———-

Reading the comments made by this diverse trio, it is obvious that the issue of condom distribution to combat AIDS continues to spark debate.

(AP PHOTO above: Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd upon his arrival at Luanda International Airport in Angola, today.)

 Carla Hinton

Religion Editor 

The award presentation will be at the Saddleback Civil Forum on Global Health at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., marking World Aids Day today.

Rick Warren, best-selling author of “The Purpose Driven Life” and pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.,  is to recognize Bush and his administration for their implementation of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which has provided billions since 2003 to combat global HIV/AIDS.

“No U.S. president or political leader has done more for global health than this administration, which has raised the bar on America’s role and responsibility for providing critical humanitarian assistance around the world,” Warren said in a news release.

Warren’s Saddleback Church has historically observed World AIDS Day by hosting a Global Summit on AIDS and the Church. The Global Peace Coalition is a network of churches, businesses and individuals cooperating together to solve humanitarian issues through the Peace Plan, an effort to mobilize 1 billion Christians to promote reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick and educate the next generation. 

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor