BAD Pope!

“A Christian can never remain silent,” said Pope Benedict upon his arrival in Cameroon last week. But sometimes I wonder if he wouldn’t be better served by doing just that. (Article: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/03/26/world/AP-EU-Vatican-Pope-Message-Woes.html)

I wrote a post several weeks ago about the controversy Pope Benedict sparked in pardoning ex-communicated, Holocaust-denying Bishops. He sparked angry sentiments from the world’s Islamic community by making accusatory remarks about the violent nature of the Islamic faith back in 2006. And this week he’s back in the headlines with a move no less consternating or any easier to extricate himself--and the Vatican--from.

The controversial comment came in a statement just before his departure on a weeklong tour through Africa. In addressing the continent’s long and difficult struggle with HIV/AIDS, Pope Benedict argued that the problem "cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which can even increase the problem.” (Emphasis mine.)

Now the Church’s position on condoms is no secret—avoid them. Exercise sexual abstinence and fidelity in marriage instead. There is truth to this message and nothing wrong with taking this position (although it’s all but proven that preaching abstinence does not work as well as handing out free condoms from a practical or public health standpoint).

But I do take issue with the second half of his statement. Nowhere, ever, has there been evidence that condom use has increased or even contributed to the spread of HIV. His comment is clearly rooted in personal belief and not scientific evidence (or reality). The tragedy is in its potential to undermine millions of dollars and years of effort put in by community organizations, NGOs, and even other faith based organizations that have been working hard to help alleviate the strain HIV has put on African societies.

France, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UN’s agency dedicated to AIDS work, have all come down on the Pope’s remarks. The BBC was even prompted to ask the question, “Is Catholicism good for Africa?” I find all of these responses reasonable given the potential ramifications in this situation. Governments and aid groups alike are already facing incredible difficulties in educating the general population on the facts of HIV/AIDS. Still, setting aside the argument over the most effective form of containing the epidemic, it is plainly irresponsible for a figure as revered as the Pope—someone drawing crowds of tens of thousands in places like Angola—to propagate such untrue information.

My concern in this is less for Benedict himself and his legacy as the 265th Pope, than it is for the Catholic Church as a whole. Its main PR man doesn’t quite have the political finesse of his predecessor and seems to be more like a bull in a China shop lately. I don’t doubt the benevolence or good intentions in his commitment to his faith, but he doesn’t do himself many favors by his lack of tact. (One source commented on the fact that he was chosen for the papacy in part for his longtime status as a Vatican insider and respected theologian. Unfortunately, the intellectuals behind organizations don’t always have the charisma and social capacity to pull off the public relations as well.)

I haven’t heard much on the issue since the comment broke the news. I admit, I’m crossing my fingers that there isn’t any more to report. I’m just thinking about the African women who have been trying to convince their husbands of the wisdom in using condoms, who now have to place their word against the Pope’s….

Other articles referenced:
“Pope tells Africa ‘condoms wrong’” - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7947460.stm
“Pope warns Angola of witchcraft” - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7956460.stm
“Pope: Condoms “Increase” AIDS Endemic in Africa” - http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509488,00.html