Catholic clergy reconsider condoms

Southern Africa is stricken by Aids

By the BBC's Grant Ferrett

A meeting of Roman Catholic bishops from southern Africa is considering whether the Church should abandon its opposition to condoms in order to prevent the spread of Aids.

We need to consider, in the light of the enormity of this crisis, that we have got to cut down on the number of [HIV] infections

Bishop Kevin Dowling

South Africa alone has an estimated four million people living with HIV, the virus which causes the disease.

One of those taking part, Bishop Kevin Dowling, says approving such a change would give credibility to the Church's position.

But the proposal faces strong opposition from some quarters.

Ravaged by Aids

The Southern African Bishops' Conference brings together clergy from some of the countries worst affected by Aids.

In much of the south of the continent the infection rate among adults is thought to be running at over 25%.

The Church has criticised Kenya's plan to import millions of condoms

Faced with such a challenge, Bishop Dowling of Rustenburg, north west of Johannesburg, says the church should at least think about changing its opposition to condoms.

"In situations where people cannot or will not follow those values which we propound very strongly as a church, then ... we need to consider, in the light of the enormity of this crisis, that we have got to cut down on the number of infections," Bishop Dowling said.

Bishop Dowling suggests that the Church view condoms as a way of preventing death, rather than as a way of preventing the transmission of life.

Vatican opposition

But the Archbishop of Durban and president of the conference, Cardinal Wilfred Napier, says condoms are not the answer.

"The Aids problem is so radical, so drastic that an equally drastic answer should be sought, and the most drastic is change of behaviour," he said.

He urged people to "forget the condoms because that may be a short-term solution not the long-term one, and it may only work in certain circumstances."

The Vatican recently reaffirmed its opposition to the use of condoms.

A statement issued in response to last month's special session of the United Nations general assembly on Aids said the Roman Catholic Church had in no way changed its moral position.