On condom use

Dear editor,

The source of the controversy regarding Pope Benedict XVI’s recent comments on condoms has sadly come from the Vatican’s own newspaper which incorrectly quoted the pope as saying that condom use can be "justified" in some cases (i.e. prostitution). This is inconsistent with infallible church teaching.

It seems all the pope was saying in claiming that condom use “can be a first step in the direction of a moralization, a first assumption of responsibility” is that God can come to us at any time and in any circumstance and enlighten our consciences as to what is right and wrong.

Even in the midst of sin God can rescue us from ourselves for no man is wholly evil and with God all things are possible. (Mark 10:27). In this sense the pope’s comments serve not only to strengthen the church’ teachings against contraception _ it holds out the hope of salvation to those still firmly in the grip of sin.

Paul Kokoski Hamilton, Ontario, Canada pkokoski@mountaincable.net