Belgian bishops decry government’s pro-condom diplomatic protest

April 06, 2009

After Belgium-- spurred on by a parliamentary vote-- lodged a formal diplomatic protest with the Holy See decrying Pope Benedict’s remarks on condoms and AIDS prevention, the Belgian bishops issued a response. Saying that they “respect the democratic character of this decision, but lament its content,” the bishops called for “a calm reflection about the means that need to be put into practice to stop the AIDS pandemic” and expressed hope for the alleviation of the polemics surrounding the issue as Easter approaches.

 

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Further information:

• Appel à une réflexion sereine (L'Eglise catholique en Belgique)
• Belgian Bishops Lament Government's Papal Protest (Zenit)
• Belgium in formal protest against Pope's statement on condoms (CWN)