The western media jumped to quick conclusions after Pope Benedict's concessionary remarks about condoms came to light a week ago. He was reported to have said in a book-length interview that it is acceptable to use condoms to prevent HIV-AIDS.
What was being touted as the Pope's 'condom conversion' was quickly clarified by the Vatican. Its spokesperson Father Federico Lombardi insisted it was not what it seemed. He said that nothing had changed, though clearly we had gained an insight into Benedict's creative openness to wayward means of preserving the dignity of those who might contract HIV-AIDS.
In a commentary for Eureka Street last week, the director of the African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN), Father Paterne Mombe, said that for the Pope, condom use is 'not really' the way to promote HIV prevention: 'He acknowledges the relative moral value of the prostitute showing concern for protecting others by using condoms.'
The 'care and concern' context of the male prostitute's attitude is everything, while condoms themselves are relatively incidental.
That said, the Pope is of course hopeful that this attitude will also manifest itself in a form of responsible sexual behaviour that fully appreciates its context of human dignity.
It can only be a good thing if the media attention serves to raise awareness of HIV-AIDS in the lead up to Wednesday's World AIDS Day.
The theme for World AIDS Day 2010 is 'Take Action. No Discrimination'. According to the organising body's Australian website, the day's observance encourages acceptance of those living with or affected by HIV-AIDS, and action to reduce the transmission of HIV by promoting safe sex practices.
The message is universal, though the strategies are different. For AIDS Councils around Australia – and charities such as the Australian AIDS Fund – condoms is the preferred preventative measure, with abstinence a distant and improbable alternative. For the Pope, it's the reverse.
There is no argument with regard to acceptance of those who are suffering. Neither AIDS Councils nor the Catholic Church condemn people who are HIV-positive. Revelation of HIV-positive status can stigmatise the person and destroy the human relationships that sustain his or her life. But this will not be the case if those affected are affirmed by those around them and general attitudes of the community.
The text of a performance piece, published in a recent AJAN newsletter, speaks of couples living in a 'discordant' relationship, where one partner is HIV-positive and the other claims to be