What the Pope really said about condom use
By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Nov 20, 2010
There are dozens of misleading stories abroad already, about a statement Pope Benedict made in a lengthy interview. Unfortunately, there will be many more misleading comments, based on these inaccurate first reports.
Did the Pope really say that condom use is sometimes justified? No; that's not what he said.
The book-length interview in which the Pope made these comments will be available next week, and you can read the full statement in the proper context. Until then, here is a simple and lucid explanation by Janet Smith for Catholic World Report.
Also helpful is this piece by Jimmy Akin for the National Catholic Register.
Phil Lawler has been a Catholic journalist for more than 30 years. He has edited several Catholic magazines and written eight books. Founder of Catholic World News, he is the news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org. See full bio.
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Posted by: -
Nov. 23, 2010 9:35 PM ET USA
Justin8110: I'm not sure why you'd leave the Catholic Church to enter the Orthodox - they are pretty lax about condoms as far as I can see!
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Posted by: www.petersboat.net -
Nov. 21, 2010 10:06 AM ET USA
The Saints teach us there are indeed times to pray that Peter be reminded of the greatness of his Office, but this is not one of those times. Our Holy Father knows exactly what he is doing. And while this sentiment was sung about a man who sadly took his own life, I would still whisper it to Our Holy Father in love: "This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you", to which he would reply, "Oh but it was." I would rather die with the Holy Father than live on earth without him.
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Posted by: Justin8110 -
Nov. 20, 2010 6:42 PM ET USA
I read the article linked here and unfortunately, like so much else that has come out of the Church since Vatican II, the Pope's comments are vague at best and seem to either support the 2000 year tradition of condemning contraception or say in a "nuanced" way that the Church is timidly giving assent to condom use. I'm literally contemplating entering the Orthodox Church I've had it with the Catholic Church these days. Nothing is clear anymore. Clarity ended with Trent and Vatican I.
