DR D. Purcell raises some important moral issues in regards to AIDS (‘Condoms won’t stop AIDS’, CL 11/1/04), but there are some basic facts which she states in her letter that are fundamentally and scientifically wrong.
In relation to condoms not being able to prevent STIs (sexually transmitted infections), this has been proven to be incorrect.
Studies done by the Department of Gynaecology at the Royal Women’s Hospital proved that condoms were 99.5 per cent effective in preventing infection.
This was also the case for AIDS. Infection, if it occurred, would happen if the condom broke or was not worn properly.
These studies have been replicated by all universities in Australia that study medicine, and their results are the same.
I think the real issue we need to raise here is not condoms necessarily, but our education and information. I agree with Dr Purcell about abstinence. It is the best way to prevent infection.
The other stark reality is that AIDS infection rates in Australia are on the decline, and last year the major source of infection was intro-venous needle sharing. No sex involved there.
I too am a practising Catholic and believe, as does Dr Purcell, in the value of abstinence. However, the reality is most of my generation and younger don’t.
I also am concerned that wrong information is pitched that may scare people, preventing them from an opportunity to mature, develop and make good, wholesome, loving and moral decisions in their lives.
In relation to statements on evil, I think it could be true to say that evil has many varied forms, and can be judged on a plethora of levels.
When looking at sexual abuse scandals, mistreatment of people, power and control politics, evil is alive by forgetting the human person, their suffering and sacrifice.
Perhaps we could focus more on Christ and his actions in relation to this.
The reality is AIDS is here, and it causes suffering and pain to over 1 billion people.
Africa is dying. Soon over 75 per cent of the country will be HIV-positive. More AIDS orphans, more suffering.
The Church has a big role to play in all of this. We teach about abstinence to people over there, but the infection still goes on. I have no answers because the ‘grey’ in these arguments is too strong.
Let’s pray for a cure to this disease and pray for common sense. Let’s also be aware of our attitudes towards this issue and the people it affects (all of us?).
Perhaps the evil here is the denial of the harsh questions AIDS has raised for us as a Church.
ANTHONY ROBERTSON
North Sydney, NSW
