Holy Condom!

The lead-in says: "One year after the election of Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican, in a reversal of church doctrine, is prepared to allow the use of condoms to combat AIDS."

To which the Shep says: It's about freakin' time!

Now, I don't think the queens in SF should rejoice just yet - the change in church stance is primarily aimed at married couples in 3rd world countries (especially in Africa) where AIDS is really prevalent. It's got nothing to do with the sex life of the queers and the famous. I can just imagine the extreme right having a cow over this - how dare the church allow condoms! While the left, for sure, would take this and extend it to a mile towards complete sexual freedom. Both sides - JUST CHILL, please?

The Vatican's "health minister" Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, who is close to the pope, told the Rome-based newspaper La Repubblica "It was the pope who took the initiative over this very sensitive and difficult issue." Barragan, who is Mexican, added that the Vatican is preparing a document on condom use, but declined to reveal its details.

I guess condom use, all things considered, is a lesser evil than passing the HIV virus. Just think of how many children in Africa have lost both parents to AIDS. The sobering truth is that people will have sex - married or otherwise - so might as well be safe about it.

Pope B16 is proving to be a much more progressive pontiff than what everyone anticipated - in this time and age, he is probably what we really need. May I dare say that the Holy Spirit really did a great job in choosing him to suceed Peter.

Now, will Delia report on this development? Honestly? I just want to hear Delia say "condom". *Sophomoric snicker follows*


Delia Gallagher