The Pope is right about abstinence and faithfulness
Apr 02, 2009
There have been articles all over the world in the last week criticizing the message Pope Benedict XVI, gave while on a tour in Africa. I will quote what he said and then I will give my view. He said: “HIV/AIDS was a tragedy that ‘cannot be overcome b
By Dr Nicholas Kamara
There have been articles all over the world in the last week criticizing the message Pope Benedict XVI, gave while on a tour in Africa. I will quote what he said and then I will give my view. He said: “HIV/AIDS was a tragedy that ‘cannot be overcome by money alone and cannot be overcome by distribution of condoms, which can even increase the problem’.
It has been said by many scientists that in Africa and Uganda, many of the new infections occur in stable marriages.
There is even data indicating that there are more infections in Africa, because the extra-marital affairs are either polygamous in nature or last a long time, hence more exposure to infection. This is different from countries like Thailand and other western countries where there may even be more extramarital affairs, but they are brief by nature.
You may think it is different in the young age group but it is not; my friend, Moses Oijuke, carried out a study among young couples in Kampala and found out that condoms are used mostly in new relationships. But as the relationships progress, and couples start to trust each other, they start neglecting condom use, even before testing for HIV as a couple.
Uganda registered the reduction in numbers of HIV patients from 30% to around 9%.
There may be several reasons advanced, but certainly it is not only because of distribution of condoms. If it was only about distribution of condoms, then South Africa, Namibia and Botswana which have had higher numbers of condom distribution, would not have such high prevalence.
Indeed in some countries the prevalence has gone up with increase in distribution of condoms. The Pope had a clear message that we should not quickly rubbish. He said: “The traditional Catholic teaching is the only safe way to prevent HIV/AIDS.†In short, abstinence and faithfulness.
How many people have said this before? Why don’t we want to listen to another voice? Why the hullaballoo? Could this be the voice of reason? I know bashing a very strong being like the Pope, makes news and I am not very surprised, but I am very disappointed with our intellectuals and media about the one- sided analysis of the statement.
I have listened to many scientists of international repute and there is much divide about how we can tackle the epidemic in Africa.
However, most agree that the current prevention strategies are not enough and there is no method that can work alone to prevent HIV.
There is no doubt that condoms prevent HIV/AIDS, but their distribution is one thing, their use is another issue and consistent use especially among stable relationships, where most infections take place, is not that easy.
Therefore, your condom is not ‘failsafe’.
Finally, the Pope has not stopped any one from distributing condoms. He even knows it is impossible to stop this, but he is entitled to champion the voice of the Catholic Church.
Those who want to listen will listen; those who want to promote condoms will do it. If he can save a single soul, that will be better. Come on, intelligent people of this world, do you think there is someone who will stop using a condom in an extra-marital affair because he listened to the Pope’s message?
The world will always want to hear a simple message, and its people will always want freedom. Sometimes, it is freedom to kill the unborn child, unfaithfulness and infidelity. In the long run, we instead end up enslaved.
The writer is a medical doctor
[lSend a topical opinion with your picture to guestwriter@newvision.co.ug. We take 600 words only]
There have been articles all over the world in the last week criticizing the message Pope Benedict XVI, gave while on a tour in Africa. I will quote what he said and then I will give my view. He said: “HIV/AIDS was a tragedy that ‘cannot be overcome by money alone and cannot be overcome by distribution of condoms, which can even increase the problem’.
It has been said by many scientists that in Africa and Uganda, many of the new infections occur in stable marriages.
There is even data indicating that there are more infections in Africa, because the extra-marital affairs are either polygamous in nature or last a long time, hence more exposure to infection. This is different from countries like Thailand and other western countries where there may even be more extramarital affairs, but they are brief by nature.
You may think it is different in the young age group but it is not; my friend, Moses Oijuke, carried out a study among young couples in Kampala and found out that condoms are used mostly in new relationships. But as the relationships progress, and couples start to trust each other, they start neglecting condom use, even before testing for HIV as a couple.
Uganda registered the reduction in numbers of HIV patients from 30% to around 9%.
There may be several reasons advanced, but certainly it is not only because of distribution of condoms. If it was only about distribution of condoms, then South Africa, Namibia and Botswana which have had higher numbers of condom distribution, would not have such high prevalence.
Indeed in some countries the prevalence has gone up with increase in distribution of condoms. The Pope had a clear message that we should not quickly rubbish. He said: “The traditional Catholic teaching is the only safe way to prevent HIV/AIDS.†In short, abstinence and faithfulness.
How many people have said this before? Why don’t we want to listen to another voice? Why the hullaballoo? Could this be the voice of reason? I know bashing a very strong being like the Pope, makes news and I am not very surprised, but I am very disappointed with our intellectuals and media about the one- sided analysis of the statement.
I have listened to many scientists of international repute and there is much divide about how we can tackle the epidemic in Africa.
However, most agree that the current prevention strategies are not enough and there is no method that can work alone to prevent HIV.
There is no doubt that condoms prevent HIV/AIDS, but their distribution is one thing, their use is another issue and consistent use especially among stable relationships, where most infections take place, is not that easy.
Therefore, your condom is not ‘failsafe’.
Finally, the Pope has not stopped any one from distributing condoms. He even knows it is impossible to stop this, but he is entitled to champion the voice of the Catholic Church.
Those who want to listen will listen; those who want to promote condoms will do it. If he can save a single soul, that will be better. Come on, intelligent people of this world, do you think there is someone who will stop using a condom in an extra-marital affair because he listened to the Pope’s message?
The world will always want to hear a simple message, and its people will always want freedom. Sometimes, it is freedom to kill the unborn child, unfaithfulness and infidelity. In the long run, we instead end up enslaved.
The writer is a medical doctor
[lSend a topical opinion with your picture to guestwriter@newvision.co.ug. We take 600 words only]