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What the Pope and Freddie Mercury Have in Common
In an interview with journalist Peter Seewald, Pope Benedict XVI said that condom use may be acceptable under "exceptional circumstances" such as use by a male prostitute in order to prevent the spread of HIV/ AIDS.
Interpretation of the pope's pronouncement has varied. Many insist that the church's teaching, which bans birth control, has not changed, but others see the pope's statement as opening the door to a broader conversation about human sexuality in the modern world.
What are the implications of Pope Benedict's statement on condoms in terms of AIDS policy, the church's teaching on sex and its view of women?
What Pope Benedict XVI recently said about condoms, and what critics are saying about the Pope, reminds me of Freddie Mercury, the late lead singer of the rock band Queen.
On November 24, 1991, just one day after announcing that he was suffering from AIDS, Freddie Mercury passed away. His untimely death generated global media coverage and gossip. Some critics opined that Mercury should have revealed his illness sooner--the implication being that keeping it a secret for so long only reinforced the stigma of living with HIV/AIDS.
All such criticisms were terribly insensitive and ultimately inconsequential. In the fullness of time, the death of Freddie Mercury shattered the stigma of AIDS for those who were too afraid or ashamed to discuss it, and also inspired his bandmates to devote considerable resources to AIDS awareness and prevention campaigns in Africa and throughout the world.
Something similar is happening now. You may have profound disagreements with the Catholic Church about the ethics of procreation, but you must concede that Pope Benedict XVI has given a jump-start to global dialogue about HIV/AIDS that will save countless human lives. What he said is neither too little nor too late. His acknowledgment that condoms reduce the risk of HIV infection is no revelation to scientists, and his well-intentioned ideals may not comport with the realities of human sexuality, but let's face it: his words mean something to upwards of a billion people, and his openness about this issue could inspire leaders from other religious communities, and untold millions of their followers, to also join the fight against HIV/AIDS.
There is no time for recrimination and moral opprobrium in an emergency. This principle seemed to be the point of the pope's comments on condom use in the context of HIV/AIDS, which is as grave of an emergency as our planet has ever seen. Perhaps this is a lesson that can be taken to heart by anyone who uses this occasion to take potshots at the Catholic Church.
By
Rajdeep Singh
|
November 24, 2010; 3:24 AM ET
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Posted by: Goldie4 | November 24, 2010 7:58 PM
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he pope is gay? Freddie Mercury was.Posted by: joe_allen_doty | November 24, 2010 1:45 PM
Wouldn't surprise me none.
Posted by: Secular | November 24, 2010 7:08 PM
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Rajdeep you give too much where it is not deserved. This ex-nazi is an unrepentant bigot. He has nothing but contempt for other religions, this coming from a man who believes in all sorts of superstition of talking snakes, wingy things etc, etc. If he were serious person he would first order his minions to turn over all the pedophiles he is protecting over to civil authorities. What is the difference between his institution and that of David Koresh. When Koresh nailed the little children, he was at least open about it. Whereas his priests were cowards. But for the strengths in numbers those scoundrels every one of them should have been dragged out of those damn churches in hand cuffs.
Posted by: Secular | November 24, 2010 7:07 PM
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The pope is gay? Freddie Mercury was.
Posted by: joe_allen_doty | November 24, 2010 1:45 PM
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I didn't know that the Pope is the greatest rock frontman with powerful vocals.
RIP Freddie.