Recently people have been in an uproar over the Pope’s recent comments on condoms and the Africa AIDS crisis.  The pooll reporters on the Pope’s plane en route to Africa were able to submit questions in advance to the Pope and he was able to answer them.  When asked directly about condom usage as a way to prevent AIDS the Pope said this: “You can’t resolve it with the distribution of condoms,” he then went on to say “On the contrary, it increases the problem.”

To me, these comments are all about interpretation.  If you read it as “AIDS can never be fully prevented with the distribution of condoms” then that’s correct.  It’s true.  Scientifically (according to avert.org) there can be anywhere between a 2% to 13% failure rate with condoms if you include breakage (2%) and slippage (1-13%).  Even if you go low and say 2% out of the 32 million infected Africans have protected sex where there is failure that would mean another possible 64,000 infections a year. That’s 64,000 more people at risk than if abstience is practiced.

“But absitencne is not practical! Live in the real world!” That’s a popular mantra, and it’s the bandwagon that it seems most are riding nowadays.  But, see, I believe the contrary.  I think the Pope IS living in the real world.  To quote the CDC “To achieve the maximum protective effect, condoms must be used both consistently and correctly. Inconsistent use can lead to STD acquisition because transmission can occur with a single act of intercourse with an infected partner.”  Furthermore “Laboratory studies have demonstrated that latex condoms provide an essentially impermeable barrier to particles the size of STD pathogens.” (emphasis theirs) The fact of the matter is Africa is not a labratory. Human sexual relations are not a labratory.  Let’s be honest: in this country alone (where AIDS education and overall education levels are much higher than they are in Africa) there are MANY MANY Saturday and Sunday morning regrets.  There are MANY MANY people who wake up and can’t believe they didn’t use a condom.  It happens.  Everyday.  And in Africa, statistically, one mistake, one “I forgot,”  one “the moment didn’t allow for it,” one “it happened so fast,”  and that’s it.  You’re infected.

Therefore, the Pope’s message is clear: the only 100% effective way to prevent an STD is to abstain from sex.   No one can doubt that.

There are still many groups out there, in and out of the Church, who believe that it’s still not practical.  That we should be supplying Africans millions of condoms a year.  And that’s up to them.  That’s their decision.  But what does everyone really expect out of Pope?  What does everyone expect out of the spiritual leader of billions of Catholics on this planet?  Do they really expect him to say “You shouldn’t sin (which the Church clearly teaches both pre-marital sex and birth control inside of marriage is sin) BUTTT if you do – well be safe – use a condom?”  That’s not his role.  That’s not his job.  If there are political leaders out there who want to take up that cause, if there are state leaders who think the tax money of thier people is better spent on condoms, then that’s for them.  But let’s be clear: The Pope is the leader of a State that is not of this world.  And he speaks on beahlf of a God who has made the issue clear.  Sin, and there will be consequence.  As a Catholic, I expect nothing less than for the Pope to be faithful to that clear and unmistakable message.  God is no kill joy.  God is not against sex.  The fact is, He understands the absolutley grave consequences of living outside of His plan for sex can bring.

Finally, it must be said that the Church is GROWING in Africa.  Exploding actually.  The Church, and the Pope, have an overwhelming heart for the AIDS crisis and the poverty that grips Africa.  And most blessedly, the Pope (nor the Church, nor the Head of the Church) NEVER turn away from those who do live with the most deadly, painful, and terrible consequence of sin.  The fact of the matter is, their eyes are on eternity.  And while there will be temporal conseuqence of their sin, the Church promises that, with contrition, and confession, there will be no eternal consquence.  That’s the message of our God.  That no matter what happens.  No matter how great or small the sin.  No matter what consquence may befall you, I still will be there.  I still forgive.  I still have compassion.  I will still bring you home.

I pray for a day when the condom debate can go away, because this terrible disease has been cured.  But until then, may we always steadfastly pray for Africa, and all of those who suffer from AIDS across our globe