Russian Orthodox Church okays use of condoms

Interfax ^ | 23 November 2010, 14:07

[Brian Kopp DPM]

Religion

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	News

23 November 2010, 14:07

Russian Orthodox Church okays use of condoms

Moscow, November 23, Interfax - The Russian Orthodox Church has said the use of condoms is acceptable following a similar statement made by Pope Benedict XVI of the Catholic Church last week.

"The Foundations of the Social Policy of the Russian Orthodox Church distinguishes between abortive and non-abortive contraception. Priests can allow people to use the latter," head of the synodal Department for Church and Society Relations Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin said in an interview with Interfax-Religion.

However, Father Vsevolod added that it does not mean that the Church approves of "any egoistical decisions made by spouses not to have children."

Speaking about the use of condoms by people who are HIV-positive, Fr. Vsevolod called on these people to "seriously think whether they should have sex because infection can spread not only by direct sexual contact."

The British daily The Guardian reported on Monday, citing a statement by the Holy See, that Pope Benedict XVI intends to consider condom use by observant Catholics in certain situations. Excerpts from a collection the Pope's interviews were published earlier, and in one of those interviews the pope said condom use is justified in some situations.

The statement issued by the Vatican states that the pope agrees that condom use reduces the risk of contracting AIDS.

At the same time, the pope's treatment of the topic considers exceptional situations "in which a sexual act presents a true risk for another's life," Vatican Press Office Director Rev. Federico Lombardi said in a statement. "In such a case, the Pope does not morally justify the disordered exercise of sexuality," rather, the use of the condom to lessen the danger of contagion may be "a first act of responsibility" and "a first step on the path toward a more human sexuality" rather than acting to put another's life at risk, Rev. Lombardi said in his statement.

Nevertheless, he said in his statement that the pope's comment neither "reforms nor changes" church teachings, which prohibits observant Catholics from using condoms.

[Brian Kopp DPM]

When you find the “Natural Law” justification for profanation of the Eucharist, however, let all of us know.

I've been working for years to have bishops apply Canon 915. I was the co-author of this petition: PETITION TO EX-COMMUNICATE PRO-ABORTION CATHOLIC ELECTED OFFICIALS (FR thread.)

I'm currently working with a group associated with Cardinal Burke and his efforts to get the Church to apply Canon 915.

I assure you, the disgust of our Orthodox brethren at this malfeasance is nothing in comparison with those of us in the trenches fighting this battle.

[Brian Kopp DPM]

You have no idea what the Eastern tradition on bioethics is or has been.

On the contrary, the historical record is available for those willing to dig, though modern Orthodox don't seem to be very keen in honestly discussing it.

I know that up till 1970, Orthodoxy uniformly condemned all contraception as illicit. Sometime after 1970, some people in Orthodoxy decided to permit some forms of contraception some of the time. Just like the Anglicans did in 1930.

Frankly, those defending the Orthodox position on this thread appear to be the least informed on the historical Orthodox opinion regarding contraception.

Either that, or they are deliberately being disingenuous because they know its difficult at best to defend this recent innovation.

[Kolokotronis]

“I’m currently working with a group associated with Cardinal Burke and his efforts to get the Church to apply Canon 915.”

I’ll leave off the obvious Orthodox comments about Cardinal Burke and his bona fides as a hierarch committed to the upholding of the canons. That said, I find it disturbing that the issue of profanation of the Eucharist seems tied only to its reception by liberal politicians and here and there by gays. What about by persons who commit scandal after scandal by presenting themselves week in and week out for communion while living in sin with another person? Abortion supporting politicians should be dealt with and likely by denying them the sacraments. But they are very, very few and far between. Virtually every Roman Catholic parish in America has communicants living in sin and virtually every Catholic priest, whose bound duty is to protect the sacrament from profanation with his life if necessary, hand out communion like pieces of penny candy. That’s a problem. I’d start there.

[Deacon Augustine]

“a first step in a movement toward a different way, a more human way, of living sexuality.
That statement, if I’m reading it correctly, in itself pushes me 99% of the way to Sedevacantistism.”

I don’t see why that statement is in any way contoversial. Surely the implication is that homosexual acts and prostitution are inhuman or bestial?

Any sign of a conscience intervening to take account of the well-being of another person, is therefore, a step towards “a more human way” of existence. It is not an “arrival” at human sexuality - it is merely one small step towards it. Until the perpetrator truly repents and converts, he is still in the mode of a bestial existence, however.

[Deacon Augustine]

““If all of Orthodoxy, all of Protestantism, and 90% of rank and file Catholics reject a principle of moral theology that has been universally and continuously taught since the time of the Apostles, does that not cause you any concern?”

Not at all. I trust the Holy Spirit and the Laos tou Theou.”

Hypothetically then, let’s say that 90% of Greeks have been lying on their tax returns for the past 50 years and having no qualms about it. (Some economists think this may not be hypothetical! ;) )

Would that mean that “Lying on tax returns is not a sin” would be a valid expression of the Laos tou Theou guided by the Holy Spirit?

[Kolokotronis]

“Would that mean that “Lying on tax returns is not a sin” would be a valid expression of the Laos tou Theou guided by the Holy Spirit?”

Not at all; Greece is not the entire Orthodox world (opinions to the contrary notwithstanding)and tax issues and the politics which surround them are not matters of religious concern in Greece, like they are in some quarters here. In Greece lying on one’s tax return is an expression of ethnic and national pride, despite our protestations of fidelity to Philotomo. We are, as I have said many times, a terrible people, the chief among sinners. This is why God determined that the NT be written in Greek.

[Brian Kopp DPM]

Here is one of the articles in question regarding the Orthodox and birth control.