Why the Pope's Condom Comments Don't Matter
In case you didn't know, the Pope came out with a new book on Tuesday.
The international media and folks from all over the world are doing back flips over the latest comments from the Pope regarding condom use. International praise describing the Pope's views as "progressive" and a welcomed change is being expressed globally.
Despite the various interpretations suggesting that this is good news, it really means very little when it comes to the Church's teaching.
Unfortunately, the fact remains that the Catechism of the Catholic Church states (quoting Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae):
“[E]very 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” is intrinsically evil [CCC 2370].
I would love to finally congratulate the Pope and the Catholic Church on sensible and responsible views on political, social, and health issues. The reality is, I really can't. The Pope's comments are just that - a private and personal opinion, and it is not an official amendment to Church doctrine.
Admittedly, I am no expert on this stuff, but I offer this: a better explanation of my opinions that highlights the rigid nature of this institution and the regressive character of the people running it.
For these reasons, and many more, the Catholic Church remains the horse and buggy religion it has always been.