Vatican denies it
will ease condom ban

Vatican officials are denying that the Catholic Church is considering easing its ban on condom use after reports surfaced last week indicating that the Vatican is studying the issue, Time magazine reports. Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, head of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, previously told an Italian newspaper that scientists and theologians are studying condom use as a way to prevent the spread of HIV and that the Vatican would release a document based on the findings of the study. But Barragan is now saying that the council is only conducting an internal study of the issue and that there may or may not be a public document released on its findings. He also said the issue of condom use will be decided solely by Pope Benedict XVI.

The Catholic Church currently prohibits the use of condoms in all circumstances because they are considered a form of artificial birth control. But many Catholic leaders in developing countries are beginning to support the use of condoms to stop the spread of HIV, which is largely passed through unprotected heterosexual sex in poor nations. "It would in fact be an ethical imperative to use condoms in order to preserve and protect life," South African bishop Kevin Dowling told The Washington Post.

Even in wealthy countries there is growing support for an easing of the church's ban on condom use. A survey of Roman Catholic priests in England showed that 65% of them approve of the use of condoms to reduce the spread of HIV. (The Advocate)