Dear Catholic Exchange:
I am a core-group member for a lifeteen group. When we asked our kids for potential questions for a panel talk, one of the kids asked: “Can a husband and wife use condoms for safer sex if one of them has AIDS or some other disease?” Now, I understand condoms aren't all that safe, but is there some Church teaching on this question?
I really would appreciate any answer you can give me.
Peace,
Denise M. Palm
Newport News, VA
Dear Ms. Palm,
Peace in Christ! There are two primary principles that apply to your question.
First, “‘every action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible’ (Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae, no 14) is intrinsically evil” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2370, emphasis added).
The integrity of the marital act must be maintained. Artificial birth control, even for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease, undermines that integrity and thereby devalues the act itself. The language innate in the conjugal act “expresses the total reciprocal self-giving of husband and wife [This is utterly contradicted by] not giving oneself totally to the other. This leads not only to a positive refusal to be open to life but also to a falsification of the inner truth of conjugal love, which is called upon to give itself in personal totality” (Pope John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio [1981], no. 32).
Second, “one may not do evil so that good may result from it” (Catechism, no. 1756). Therefore, the Church has not and cannot approve the use of condoms or other barrier-method contraceptives to prevent the contracting and spreading of STDs.
It is also important to consider whether condoms are effective in preventing the transmission of HIV, which causes AIDS. Different studies provide different answers, but the consensus seems to be that condoms fail to prevent transmission about thirty percent of the time. The British Medical Journal provided the figure of thirty-one percent. A study issued in July 2001 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicated that there is no evidence at all that the majority of STDs are prevented by condoms. Knowing that a condom might be effective about seventy out of one hundred times when a person engages in sex with another person who is HIV positive provides little basis for feeling “safe.” Therefore, the couple would be committing a moral wrong in using artificial birth control and still not necessarily preventing the transmission of HIV.
In addition, the spiritual harm caused by the use of condoms would be far worse than the physical harm of possibly contracting AIDS. One obvious way to avoid both is abstinence. While this would be difficult, it should be viewed, as any suffering, in light of the cross. St. Paul tells us, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church” (Col. 1:24).
I hope this answers your question. If you have further questions on this or would like more information about Catholics United for the Faith, please contact us at 1-800-MY-FAITH (693-2484). Please keep us in your prayers as we endeavor to “support, defend, and advance the efforts of the teaching Church.”
United in the Faith,
Amy Barragree
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
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