CBCP: No OK yet for HIV-infected to use condoms

MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Wednesday denied reports that the Vatican has allowed married couples infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) can use condoms. CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life executive secretary Fr. Melvin Castro denounced earlier reports that the CBCP had given permission to use condoms for those with HIV/AIDS. "Media misinterpret Church's teachings especially regarding contraceptives and abortion to suit their political and media agenda and sensationalize it accordingly to increase readership and viewers and attract advertisers," Castro said in a statement on the CBCP website (www.cbcpnews.com) on Wednesday. He added that "under no circumstances" had the Vatican and the CBCP ever made an official statement that the use of condoms are okayed as a last resort. Still, Castro said there have been several clamors among sections of the society, NGOs, political parties and anti-life groups clamoring for use of condoms by HIV/AIDS patients. But he insisted claims that condoms help reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS infections remain a "myth." Castro noted that Thailand introduced the mass distribution of condoms in the 1980s and 1990s, but figures of HIV/AIDS infection in Thailand have doubled since then. "What is demanded is self-discipline, and being faithful to one's partner would go a long way to curtail the HIV/AIDS menace," said Castro, who is also chancellor in the Tarlac diocese. The Department of Health’s (DOH) National Epidemiology Center has said there were 35 HIV-positive and AIDS cases in May, 84 percent higher than the number reported during the same period last year. The figure brings to 212 the total number of cases for the first five months of this year. Of the 35 cases, seven of them involved overseas Filipino workers. As of 2005, a recorded 38.6 million people were living with HIV worldwide, 12 percent of them were less than 15 years old, and 2.8 million had died of AIDS. Of those infected, 4.1 million were new cases. The Philippine Health Department’s AIDS registry has recorded 2,719 cases in the Philippines 1984-2006. Returning OFWs accounted for 35 percent of the cases, but the manual's Resource Book points out that other sectors do not have mandatory HIV-antibody testing. According to the National Epidemiology Center 68 percent of HIV-positive people in the Philippines were infected through sexual contact, 56 percent having been involved in homosexual activity. - GMANews.TV