The Holy Father gave an interview.. a series of interviews.....which are about to be published in the form of a book, "Light of the World". The book is embargoed until Tuesday 23rd November, but the Vatican's own newspaper, 'L'Osservatore Romano' drove a coach and horses through the embargo yesterday, by publishing extracts from the book.
Among the extracts were some relating to the problem of prevention of AIDS by the use of condoms.
The Pope's remarks were quoted, out of context, by L'Osservatore Romano, and this has given rise to huge media speculation and comment, mostly of the 'Pope OK's Condoms' kind.
An interview given by the Pope is an interview...given by the Pope.
It is not an official teaching of the Church.
It is not part of the Magisterium
It is not a Papal Bull, an Encyclical, or a Motu Proprio
The Holy Father is permitted to have personal opinions (which are fallible, not infallible, just as mine or yours are), isn't he?
The Pope's personal opinions will certainly be of much more interest than, say, mine, but they remain personal opinions.
So, what did he say? The CWR has a report here
Jimmy Akin has a helpful perspective here
My comment would be that the Holy Father's personal view, if I have understood it correctly, seems to be that the prophylactic use of condoms against sexually transmitted diseases is not a solution to the problem of STD's.
The western world has been awash with condoms for years and they haven't helped. Even the manufacturers of condoms admit that condoms are not, by themselves, effective.
We need to have an honest look again at the whole truth and meaning of human sexuality.
A first step towards this, in some cases, might be a recognition that to knowingly risk the passing on of such a disease might itself be immoral.
Thanks to Jimmy Akin
The Bones
CWR
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