Vatican's Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ on What the Pope Actually Said Concerning Condoms

11/22/2010
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

The pope is not reforming or changing the teaching of the church

'The pope does not morally justify the disordered exercise of sexuality. The pope is not reforming or changing the teaching of the church. It should therefore be clear that the condom is not the solution to the problem.In this statement, the pope's reasoning certainly cannot be defined as a revolutionary shift.'

Fr. Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, Vatican Press Office.

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VATICAN CITY (Catholic Online) - Fr Father Federico Lombardi, SJ is the head of the Press Office of the Holy See. He has issued a formal statement clarifying a book to be released entitled "Light of the World." The book is an interview with Pope Benedict XVI which was conducted by Peter Seewald.

Any quotations from the book were to have been embargoed until its release on Wednesday. Unfortunately, portions of a particular hypothetical question and response concerning Aids and the use of a condom by a male prostitute, were improperly released.

The out of context quotations, in Italian, were released. They have become fodder for a steady stream of inaccurate reports throughout the day on Sunday intimating that the Church has somehow changed its teaching. This is simply not true. The Press Secretary released this statement on Sunday:

Statement of Fr Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, Vatican Press Office:

"At the end of Chapter 10 (Chapter 11 in the English edition) in the book, "Light of the World," the pope responds to two questions about the struggle against AIDS and the use of the condom, questions that refer back to the discussion that followed the pope's comments on this topic during his trip to Africa in 2009.

"The pope underlines clearly that, at that time, he did not want to express a position on the problem of condoms in general, but he wanted to affirm strongly that the problem of AIDS cannot be resolved solely with the distribution of condoms, because much more must be done: prevention, education, assistance, counsel, being close to people, both so that they do not become sick, and also in cases where they are sick.

"The pope observes that even in non-church circles a comparable awareness has developed, as is seen in the so-called ABC theory (Abstinence-Be Faithful-Condoms), in which the first two elements (abstinence and fidelity) are much more decisive and fundamental in the struggle against AIDS, while the condom appears as a last resort when the other two are lacking. It should therefore be clear that the condom is not the solution to the problem.

"The pope then takes a wider view and insists on the fact that concentrating only on the condom signifies the "banalization" of sexuality, which loses its meaning as the expression of love between persons and becomes like a "drug." To fight against the banalization of sexuality is "part of the struggle to ensure that sexuality is treated as a positive value and to enable it to have a positive effect on the whole of man's being."

"In the light of this ample and profound vision of human sexuality and its modern challenges, the pope reaffirms that the church "of course does not regard (condoms) as a real or moral solution" to the problem of AIDS.

"In saying this, the pope is not reforming or changing the teaching of the church, but reaffirming it by putting it in the context of the value and dignity of human sexuality as an expression of love and responsibility.

"At the same time, the pope takes into consideration an exceptional situation in which the exercise of sexuality may represent a real risk to the life of another person. In such a case, the pope does not morally justify the disordered exercise of sexuality, but maintains that the use of the condom to diminish the danger of infection may be "a first assumption of responsibility", "a first step in a movement toward a more human sexuality", as opposed to not using the condom and exposing the other person to a fatal risk.

"In this statement, the pope's reasoning certainly cannot be defined as a revolutionary shift.

"Numerous moral theologians and authoritative ecclesiastical figures have maintained and still maintain similar positions; however, it is true that until now we had not heard them expressed with such clarity from the mouth of a pope, even if it is in a colloquial, and not magisterial, form.

"Benedict XVI therefore courageously gives us an important contribution that clarifies and deepens a long-debated question. It is an original contribution, because on one hand it maintains fidelity to moral principles and demonstrates lucidity in refusing an illusory path like "faith in condoms"; on the other hand, however, it shows a sympathetic and far-sighted vision, attentive to discovering small steps - even if they are only initial and still confused - of a humanity that is often spiritually and culturally impoverished, toward a more human and responsible exercise of sexuality."

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Pope Benedict XVI, condom use, sexuality, magisterium, Holy See, Humanae Vitae

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1 - 10 of 22 Comments

binoy
2 years ago
The answer of our Holy Father is clear, while it under no circumstance allows for condom usage, he mentions that at times the use of condoms is shedding more light into the growing self realization that sex isn't all about enjoying oneself, but also being responsible. In my opinion he just mentioned that there is afterall some light at the end of the tunnel.

I don't see why many are taking it as a license for Catholics to use condoms, which clearly is a case of either intentional misinformation or non-intentional misinformation.

But for Catholics (the faithful ones) to deride the Pope over this, is just plain childish - get your facts right.

GOD Bless!
Christopher Blosser
2 years ago
There seems to be a rift developing between those who say "yes, the Pope affirmed the limited use of condoms in exceptional circumstances" and those who maintain he didn't. On one side you have Fr. Martin Rhonheimer, Dr. Austen Ivereigh and even Fr. Lombardi himself. On the other side, you have Janet Smith, Fr. Joseph Fessio, and Cardinal Raymond Burke, prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

http://the-american-catholic.com/2010/11/26/pope-benedict-and-the-great-condom-conumdrum/

So which is it?
fr john texeira
2 years ago
I was just waiting for the clarification on issue. Thanks a lot.

I would like to share this with others but how ,

Please make this information user friendly to be sent to others by e mail

fr john f texeira
JeanCatherine
2 years ago
Terry

Two thumbs up and with charity of course for what you said in response. Thanks for your advice. You and all here included in my Holy Hour intentions. I know Im a sinner to and need the same prayers all around. God Bless.
John J. McMahon
2 years ago
Catholic morality has always maintained that artificial birth control is intrinsically evil. Period. Pointing to exceptional circumstances or good intentions is no excuse. That approach is situation ethics, not Catholic morality.

But here the Pope says that use of condoms may be permitted if the "intent" is to reduce the risk of infection. And Cardinal Lombardi recognizes a special "exception" when the life of the sex partner is at stake.

If we are allowed to consider "intent" and "exceptional circumstances" in the context of artificial birth control, then the statements by Pope Benefict and Cardinal Lombardi DO represent a major shift in Catholic morality.

If we are allowed to consider intent and exceptional circumstances in the context of artificial birth control, then will it be permissible to consider intent and exceptional circumstances in the context of arbortion, in vitro fertilization and stem cell research as well?

I am confused.

John J. McMahon
Fr. Tobias Soreng
2 years ago
I would like to read the original text of what the Holy Father has said about the subject.

Fr. Tobias Soreng
John from Grand Island, NE
2 years ago
I admire this pope. In a world that insists that all the answers to all the questions are black and white, here is a man not afraid to talk about the gray.
George
2 years ago
I feel disappointed by this, not everyone is a theologian and few catholics know so much about the complexities of all this teachings. I'm a catechist and what the Holy Father has succeeded in doing is giving me a hard tasks of explaining all these to my catechumen. Simple we are against the use a condom, period, we dont need to bring things up that would suggest to people whether they can use or not. Lets have one clear simple voice on this please for God's sake.
David
2 years ago
Beth it seems to me that what you have said clarifies the article and what the Holy Father stated.
Josue
2 years ago
The pope on this comment is explaining that if a male prostute actually is taking the time to say " hey, I should protect this person....." maybe there is a change that is begining to take place, in which that person is recognizing that the other person is exactly that another person. and if the prostiute continues to listen to that way of thinking maybe eventually with the grace of God they will recognize the severity of their sin and repent. A prostitute does not see or feel the love of GOD, but the truth is that Jesus Christ died for them too, therefore GOD does love them but only by there repentence will the have access to that love, and only by them recognizing there worth as creation of GOD not just an object will they begin there road of conversion.

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