Tutu attacks Catholic Church ban on condoms

ARCHBISHOP Desmond Tutu yesterday launched a strong attack on the Catholic Church’s opposition to the use of condoms to combat the menace of AIDS.

The South African Anglican prelate and former anti-apartheid campaigner made his comments at the start of a two-day international conference in Dublin on HIV and AIDS.

Citing a report from the Christian Aid organisation, he dismissed Catholic claims that promoting condoms led to promiscuity.

Archbishop Tutu said the Catholic church had to be "realistic" in the matter of condom use: "It is irresponsible to say sex education and the supply of condoms encourages promiscuity. Christian Aid have carried out a study recently proving this to be totally untrue."

The Breaking the Barriers the fight against HIV/AIDS in Europe and Central Asia conference in Dublin Castle, as part of Ireland's European Union presidency, also features a contribution from rock star and fundraiser Bob Geldof. Arriving at the event, the Dublin-born former Boomtown Rat, said he wanted to ensure that the AIDS problem was addressed globally.

He also warned against complacency and "ghettoising" the threat, adding: "This thing is here and home to roost."

While it was important to address the problem of AIDS in Europe and central Asia, the epidemic in Africa should not be forgotten.

"HIV/AIDS is a global epidemic that defines the excluded of the world the wretched of the Earth," said Geldof. "Above everything, HIV defines those who can purchase well-being and those who die."