A new book paints a picture of rampant homosexuality in the Catholic Church but builds castles on the sands of rumours and innuendo, writes TP O’Mahony.

The Vatican today issued a sweeping condemnation of contraception, abortion, in-vitro fertilisation and same-sex marriage, declaring that the traditional family has never been so threatened as in today’s world.

Catholics have been urged to challenge their local priests over controversial Vatican claims that condoms cannot prevent the spread of Aids.

The European Union joined anti-AIDS campaigners today in criticising remarks by a top Vatican cardinal that condoms do not protect against the deadly sexually transmitted disease.

THE Catholic Church has been accused of telling people in countries with high rates of HIV that condoms do not protect against the deadly virus.