Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Condoning condoms

By Rob Moodie - posted Tuesday, 10 May 2005


Yet, even if we rapidly scale up treatment, expert modelling tells that it will never keep pace, unless we can prevent infections in the first place. So we not only need better and more accessible testing, counselling and treatment, we need much greater access to prevention services as well.

And as preventive measures I support the approaches of delaying the onset of sexual activity and mutual fidelity, but please don’t leave out options, such as male and female condoms, and microbicides when they come, that can help to stem the epidemic and save, over time, so many lives.

There is no doubt that we have real divergences of views towards condom use but there may be some changes in the Catholic Church’s stand. As reported recently in the International Herald Tribune, Kevin Dowling, the Archbishop of Rustenburg, is reported to advocate the use of condoms in dire situations, as in his very poor diocese in South Africa, where one in two adults are already infected. The Tribune also reports a greater interest by some of the senior clergy in discussing condoms. And Pope Benedict XVI has preached about openness and reconciliation in his first papal mass.

Advertisement

Let common and compassionate sense prevail.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All

First published in the Herald Sun on April 27, 2005.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

13 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Rob Moodie is Professor of Global Health at the Nossal Institute for Global Health at the University of Melbourne. Between 1998 and 2007 he was the CEO of VicHealth. He is co-editor of three books, including Hands on Health Promotion. He is currently writing a book called Recipes for a Great Life with Gabriel Gate.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Rob Moodie

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Rob Moodie
Article Tools
Comment 13 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy