Pope Reaffirms Church Opposition to Condoms
After several days of unusual public debate among senior figures in the Roman Catholic Church, Pope John Paul II reaffirmed church teaching that forbids condoms and advocates abstinence and marital fidelity to stop the spread of AIDS.
“The Holy See,” he said, “believes prevention through education about the sacredness of life and the correct practice of sexuality -- that is, chastity and faithfulness -- is necessary above all other things in order to prevent this disease responsibly.”
His words came after a week in which a high official of Spain’s Bishops Conference said there was “a place” for condoms in the prevention of acquired immune deficiency syndrome but was overruled by the full conference.
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