Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
BBC News - Monday, 30 July, 2001
Roman Catholic bishops in southern Africa have condemned the use of condoms to fight Aids.
In a statement at the end of their week-long conference in Pretoria, the bishops argued that the battle against HIV/Aids should be fought on moral grounds and said condoms helped spread the disease.
But one of them, Bishop Kevin Dowling, disagreed and said condoms should be seen as a way of preventing death, not life.
Aids charities have described the bishops' refusal to relax the condoms ban as unfortunate.
Back-up needed
The director of the National Association of People Living with Aids, Nkululeko Nxesi told Reuters news agency: "The use of condoms provides us with a solution that ensures we scale down the rate of the epidemic.
"You need a back up system and condoms provide that".
The bishops' statement ignored increasing calls for the Catholic church to lift its opposition to the use of condoms to prevent the spread of the virus.
Health workers have asked community leaders, including the clergy, to help promote the use of condoms.
A leading Catholic newspaper in South Africa had called on the church to relax its blanket ban, saying married couples should be allowed to use condoms in cases where one spouse was HIV positive.
There are an estimated 25 million Aids sufferers in sub-Saharan Africa.
010730
BB010729
Copyright © 2001 - BBC. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BBC.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2001. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2001. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
.