In print | Published April 2, 2009

As a cradle Catholic, I’m hardly surprised that the Holy Father’s comments last week generated such controversy in the liberal media. Sadly, I found little more than the same rehashing of misrepresented AP-sound bites in the Phoenix’s staff editorial on March 19 entitled “The Pope courts a contraception controversy.” I want to clarify some of the misconceptions reported in this and like-minded articles.

The Phoenix ridicules Benedict’s comments by saying that “nearly every study” contradicts his claim that condoms alone cannot solve the AIDS problem, and might even aggravate it. They cite a source (the infallible New York Times), which reports that “condoms, when used consistently and correctly,” reduce AIDS. There are three interesting words here: “nearly,” “correctly” and “consistently.” Though it may be true that the consistent and correct use of condoms reduces AIDS rates, how often is this the case?

Let’s look at one of the studies which corroborates the Pope’s claims. Two researchers at the AIDS Prevention Project at Harvard agree that condom use has reduced the rate of AIDS in certain high-risk populations (Thai and Cambodian brothels, for instance). The researchers contest generalizing this finding to the population level, instead citing evidence that illustrates the failure of programs to engender consistent, correct condom use. A 2001 rural Ugandan study found that 4.4 percent of participants reported consistent condom use in 2000. A more recent controlled, randomized study in Zimbabwe, which combined condom use with other preventative practices, showed no reduction in the spread of AIDS at the population level, and a slight increase of infections in the prevention group compared to controls.

The researchers also point out that condoms can lead to “risk compensation” — engaging in more promiscuous sexual activity because of the sense of security provided by condoms. To understand this, one need only think of the analogous situation in which the legally mandated incorporation of seatbelts in cars has, in part, contributed to higher speed limits, reckless driving and accident rates.
Additionally, in the nine African countries where AIDS rates have dropped, researchers have also observed a correlated drop in extramarital sex or multiple sex partners. Swaziland and Botswana have since adapted MCP programs, in apparent recognition of the validity behind the promotion of sexual integrity to reduce AIDS rates.

This evidence indicates that solely promoting condom use does not necessarily lead to a reduction in AIDS, and could potentially raise it. Though the Pope understands this, selective quoting obfuscates his message. The Phoenix extracts one sentence from the interview, labeling it “simplistic” and “counterfactual.”

What is the Church’s condom-free solution? Let’s put it back in context. “[It] can only be a double one: first, a humanization of sexuality … a new way of behaving with one another. Second, a true friendship even and especially with those who suffer, a willingness to be with those who are suffering.”

Thus, the Pope proposes that this epidemic cannot be curbed with quick fixes such as convincing individuals to use contraceptives, for such an approach does not recognize the inherent dignity of those in need; without mutual love, respect and long suffering, true understanding and progress cannot occur.

Before we label his views as close-minded and ignorant, we must put away our biases concerning conservative religious groups and thoroughly examine the evidence, determine the effectiveness of preventative solutions compared to long-term sexual integrity programs, and rethink our myopic obsession with condoms as a panacea. The Pope is not courting a contraceptive controversy; the controversy comes from the media who finds divisive party-line dogma more important than seeking the truth.

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