Catholic clergy under fire for HIV 'advice'

Thursday, 9 October 2003 9:19 PM

The Roman Catholic Church, which is against non-natural forms of contraception, has been accused by the BBC of persuading people in countries with high rates of HIV, that condoms do not offer protection against the virus.

The claims are made in the current affairs programme Panorama, due to be aired this weekend, which accuses senior members of the clergy of saying that the virus could pass through tiny holes in the latex.

Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, president of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for the Family, is quoted as claiming that the Aids virus is 450 times smaller than the spermatozoon, which itself can pass through the 'net' that is formed by a condom.

He suggests, therefore, that governments should warn people of these dangers - the implication being that people should moderate their sexual behaviour rather than having sex with the aid of condoms.

Of course, condoms aren't 100% reliable, but experts point out that they are certainly safer than unprotected sex, and research has shown them to be extremely effective in preventing pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted infections, as well as HIV/AIDS.

Health campaigners have condemned the cardinal's comments. It is estimated that 42 million people around the world are infected with HIV/AIDS, and groups including the World Health Organization are promoting the safe sex message to tackle the pandemic.

And although the Church could be defended on the grounds that it is simply standing up for its beliefs on procreation and sexual morality, most commentators have claimed that health policy must reflect reality and not moral ideals.

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