Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Reuters NewMedia - December 17, 2004
Philip Pullella
"I don't care about the condoms yes, condoms no, debate," Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, told a news conference. "What concerns me is that these people are dying and I have to help them."
The Vatican said the new foundation, called Good Samaritan, would take donations from individuals, groups and governments and channel them to Catholic charities and other organizations helping AIDS victims, particularly in Africa.
The Pope has donated 100,000 euros ($133,900) of his private funds earmarked for charities to help start up the foundation, which will be based at the Vatican.
Barragan said the Church's opposition to condoms to prevent the spread of AIDS should not deter potential contributors.
"It's one thing to talk about moral problems. That's legitimate and we as Catholics have our position on this," he said.
"It's another thing to help those who are suffering. While people are arguing about whether or not condoms can be used, every day 12,000 people die of AIDS," he said.
According to the United Nations, the number of people living with HIV has increased from 35 million in 2001 to 39.4 million in 2004, the highest level ever.
Barragan, a Mexican, said the Vatican did not want to compete with any other groups already helping AIDS victims.
"We are offering our cooperation to help those with AIDS. We don't want to compete with anyone, we don't want to duplicate efforts, we don't want any conflict. We just want to give help where it is needed," he said.
NO CONDOMS, CHURCH SAYS
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that fidelity within heterosexual marriage, chastity and abstinence are the best ways to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.
It says promoting the use of condoms to fight the spread of AIDS fosters what it sees as immoral and hedonistic lifestyles and behavior that will only contribute to its spread.
While many AIDS workers praise the work Catholic priests, nuns and volunteers do to help AIDS sufferers, some activists say the official Church position is counterproductive.
"This initiative to support people living with HIV and AIDS is good news," said a spokesperson for Britain's Terrence Higgins Trust, a leading UK AIDS charity.
"However, we must also recognize that condoms have a vital role to play in preventing the spread of HIV and controlling the worldwide pandemic."
A total of 3.1 million people died from AIDS in 2004. Sub-Saharan Africa, with just over 10 percent of the world's population, is home to more than 60 percent of all HIV positive people, or about 25.4 million people.
The growing number of newly infected people around the world would create further problems for the Vatican's position, said Francis Kissling, president of the U.S.-based dissident group Catholics for a Free Choice.
"It is not medically wise to separate treatment from prevention in the 21st century. People with AIDS are living longer and they are going to be sexually active. That is the challenge this new Vatican foundation will be facing. It is inadequate to only tell people not to have sex," she said.
"I would hope that there are some governments that will say 'we appreciate what you do but we must reserve our funds for those who both treat and prevent'," she said. ($1=.7469 Euro)
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