Catholic Church Establishes Foundation to Fund AIDS Fighters
The Vatican established its first foundation to specifically fund Catholic organizations working against the spread of HIV/AIDS, and asked ''particularly those in the economically advanced nations'' to contribute to the fund - no matter what thei
On Friday, December 17, 2004, the Vatican established a foundation to specifically fund Catholic organizations working against the spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The fund, entitled the Good Samaritan Foundation, is the first such fund personally supported and established by the Pope John Paul II.
According to the Associated Press, Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan said the Pope is asking “all people of good will, particularly those in the economically advanced nations, to contribute.”
AP also reported the Vatican is “urging people to contribute even if they object to the Church’s opposition to the use of condoms to fight the spread of the disease.”
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In recent years, most non-governmental organizations – including several Christian relief groups – adopted the “ABC” approach to eliminate HIV/AIDs. The ABC approach, which stands for Abstain, Be faithful and use Condoms, has been largely applauded for its role in reversing the trend of HIV/AIDs proliferation in Uganda.
During an interview with the Christian Post earlier this year, Clive Calver - who resigned as president of World Relief on Sept 30, said he would give condoms to pastors who ask him because the victims of HIV/AIDs are normally unsuspecting women.
“Any Christian group has to be careful when talking about condoms. If you were to ask me, “Do you give condoms?” my answer would be: Yes, I do give condoms. I give condoms to pastors, yes,” he said.
“When a guy in Africa goes to work in the mines, the mine owner gives him a woman. The women at the mines are normally HIV positive, so by the time he goes home to his wife, he has HIV. Probably, he is married to a God-fearing wife. We give condoms to pastors -- and only to those pastors who ask for them -- so that they could give these to protect the God-fearing wives,” Calver explained.
Despite the observable effectiveness of the ABC approach, the Vatican has largely rebuffed the method because of its advocacy for condoms. The Catholic Church holds that condoms cannot be used to prevent the spread of AIDS because it is a form of artificial birth control.
In September, the pope repeated this position in his message for the Church’s World Day of the Sick.
The spread of HIV/AIDs is “best avoided above all through responsible conduct and the observance of the virtue of chastity."
Meanwhile, Barragn, head of the pontifical council on health issues, said such differences in methodology should not prevent people from giving to the fund.
"Another thing is to help those who are sick, who are dying, while one is discussing condoms yes, condoms no. I don't care, what matters to me is that people are dying and we must help them," he said.
