France's First Lady Slams Pope's Stand on Birth Control

France's First Lady Slams Pope's Stand on Birth Control

www.thestar.com

French First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy accuses Pope Benedict of "damaging" countries in Africa with his stance on birth control.

The Pope sparked controversy in March while on a visit to Africa by saying the AIDS pandemic "can't be resolved with the distribution of condoms; on the contrary, there is the risk of increasing the problem."

Departing from her post's traditionally neutral stance on religious matters, Bruni-Sarkozy told Femme Actuelle magazine that the church needs to "evolve."

(visit the link for the full news article)


Related News Links:
www.foxnews.com
sev.prnewswire.com

Related AboveTopSecret.com Discussion Threads:
Is the Roman Catholic Church out of touch with reality?
Facebook users wage condom campaign against Pope
Vatican attacks US abortion move

"I find that the controversy coming from the Pope's message – albeit distorted by the media – is very damaging," she said. "In Africa it's often church people who look after sick people. It's astonishing to see the difference between the theory and the reality.

"I think the church should evolve on this issue. It presents the condom as a contraceptive which, incidentally, it forbids, although it is the only existing protection."

Bruni-Sarkozy added: "I was born Catholic, I was baptized, but in my life I feel profoundly secular."

Have you ever noticed how it takes a celebrity to speak Truth to Power, where as those who have political and media positions sit in silence or skirt around the real issues that plague our world?

For those of you who are too myopic to care, for your information, more then half (53%) of Latinas in the US get pregnant at least once before age 20 (a rate nearly twice the national average). CNN's coverage of this survey avoids mentioning the church as the root cause by pointing to the parents. I can't find any part of the survey that prompts for the religious affiliation of the parents. Considering the cultural ethnicity of this demographic, I think it is safe to say that the majority govern their families with Catholic dogma.

For the current world wide rates of HIV/AIDS cases and teen pregnancies, who bares the most responsibility... the teens, parents or church?

www.thestar.com

[edit on 20-5-2009 by The All Seeing I]

I wonder how many of the people in Africa don't use any form of protection during sex strictly because of the Catholic Church's stance on birth control. If I had to guess, I would say that it would be a small percentage of the population. And if they are so "by the book" then why would they be having sex outside of wedlock anyways? Don't get me wrong, I don't think there is anything wrong with birth control, I just think Bruni-Sarkozy may be overestimating the Pope's stance as a main cause of the HIV problem in Africa.

-E-

I wouldn't say that Carla is overestimating the Pope's comments as a main cause...however instead it is an albeit contributing factor to the continued lack of education of AIDS transmission.

Even when the comments from the Pope first came out I couldn't help but think, as a former major in cultural anthropology, how much AIDS educators in Africa have going against them. There are certain cultural myths about sex and (excuse my frankness) semen...that women and men have in Africa. It is already a difficult situation due to this.

Good for her in taking a stand; which I know that this OP is mainly about and not so much a re-visit of what was said by the Pope a few months ago. She definatley broke tradition-but she is a strong lady and I really enjoy seeing this "new wave" of female leaders and first ladies we have at the moment. I don't think in this case it was inappropriate for her to give her opinion...and it was quite eloquently said.

Originally posted by awake_awoke
I don't think in this case it was inappropriate for her to give her opinion...and it was quite eloquently said.

I fully agree. Suspiciously and unfortunately those who claim to "think" just the opposite, were alowed to have the last word in both the star and fox articles.

the sun:

André Roux, a constitutional historian, told the Daily Telegraph that it's unprecedented for a first lady in France to criticize the Pope. "In my view ...when one is the wife of a head of state, such comments are not opportune,'' Roux said. "Given her public position, the effects of her comments risk carrying more weight than just the personal views of Carla Bruni."

fox:

"It is not the job of a First Lady, especially one who is a baptized Catholic, to attack the Pope," enraged Notre Dame Cathedral parishioner Jean Martin said. "Such words bring shame on the presidential office."

In other words... "shut up and obey".
Now if she held an elected position... what would they say?
Would they still attempt to belittle and shame her into silence?


[edit on 20-5-2009 by The All Seeing I]

Originally posted by The All Seeing I

"I find that the controversy coming from the Pope's message – albeit distorted by the media – is very damaging," she said. "In Africa it's often church people who look after sick people. It's astonishing to see the difference between the theory and the reality.

"I think the church should evolve on this issue. It presents the condom as a contraceptive which, incidentally, it forbids, although it is the only existing protection."

Bruni-Sarkozy added: "I was born Catholic, I was baptized, but in my life I feel profoundly secular."

Have you ever noticed how it takes a celebrity to speak Truth to Power, where as those who have political and media positions sit in silence or skirt around the real issues that plague our world?

For those of you who are too myopic to care, for your information, more then half (53%) of Latinas in the US get pregnant at least once before age 20 (a rate nearly twice the national average). CNN's coverage of this survey avoids mentioning the church as the root cause by pointing to the parents. I can't find any part of the survey that prompts for the religious affiliation of the parents. Considering the cultural ethnicity of this demographic, I think it is safe to say that the majority govern their families with Catholic dogma.

For the current world wide rates of HIV/AIDS cases and teen pregnancies, who bares the most responsibility... the teens, parents or church?

www.thestar.com

[edit on 20-5-2009 by The All Seeing I]

First, if these Latinas held firm to their Catholic beliefs they wouldn't be having premaritial sex to begin with, so for them to not be using condoms because the church is against is absurd. As for AIDS in Africa, there are far more charities and organizations (ie the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations and well as the UN) that do pass out free condoms. The truth is most Africans do not use them even when they are free, not to mention that many of newly acquired HIV cases are a product of rape. I think if we want stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa we need to have some focus on rape prevention. And again, I do not believe that a rapist cares about the RCC position on condoms.

reply to post by The All Seeing I

For the current world wide rates of HIV/AIDS cases and teen pregnancies, who bares the most responsibility... the teens, parents or church?

This really isn't a question that could be answered in emphatic terms. I'm usually all for advocating personal responsibility and dealing with the direct consequences of certain actions, especially regarding sex. However, it is unfair to place the bulk of the blame on teens, especially young ones. Their hormone-addled brains haven't fully matured yet, they have a tendency to act on emotion and instinct, and they don't usually think in terms of unintended consequences. Let's face it, the situation is what it is, as the saying goes.

Parents can only do so much to nurture, protect and educate their children regarding ways of the world. Even kids who hail from stable, financial sound families can make mistakes and find themselves in the family way. For teens who are raised in less stable homes, the odds are more likely greater for unintended pregnancies. So, while upbringing may play a part in how teens react regarding their sexuality, parents cannot stop teens intent on having sex.

As for the Catholic Church, well I find their stance on birth control unrealistic, archaic, and most assuredly, absurd. Abstinence is great, for those willing to stick with the program. But, there is no doubt in my mind, that in some areas where the Church plays a central role in people's lives, the Pope has the final word. Does that prevent premarital sex from occurring? No, it just makes it more difficult to have birth control handy when needed.

reply to post by searching4truth


Rape prevention would be covered in a comprehensive sex education.

The catholic church's version of sex ed is to have no-sex ed which leaves our youth ignorant about one of the most important aspects of life... placing them in a very vulnerable position. When the subject of sex is made taboo... perversions, fetishes and bizarre rumors fill in the void... ultimately fueling the problem.

Case in point:

A bizarre belief among many African black men that sex with a virgin -- even a child or baby -- can cure HIV/AIDS is fueling what is already one of the highest child sexual exploitation rates in the world.

source: www.worldnetdaily.com...

[edit on 20-5-2009 by The All Seeing I]

For those who think the bible is an effective form of protection, here's news for you, we have already been down that road and it has proven to be a dismal failure:

Slipping on my Catholic/Christian slippers for a moment... i think the most responsible act for the Pope to make, is to open a compassionate eye to history and our current day statistics to recognize the fundamental fact will never go away, that people are inherently weak; they give in to temptation... and a God of love could not possibly want them to suffer and die for such a minor transgression. Accept that people will have sex and start from there. Next logical step is to advocate protection and comprehensive sex ed. This simple exception made to the "rule book" will save countless lives worldwide from unnecessary suffering and pre-mature death.

[edit on 22-5-2009 by The All Seeing I]

reply to post by MysterE


I was thinking the exact same thing. I know it wont be popular to say but I think it's the parents then the Teens issue in that order, Because if the Church has that amount of influence on the teen not to use contraceptives then by the same token they wouldn't be having sex outside of wedlock.


[edit on 22-5-2009 by SLAYER69]

I think birth control and abortions are a conspiracy to destroy the white race.

Originally posted by debz325
I think birth control and abortions are a conspiracy to destroy the white race.

please elaborate... i'm having a hard time understanding how this is possible.

White people have fewer children than any other race and seems as we are the richest,it does not make sence to me.Also by 2025 white people will be the minority in all 50 states.I am not racist but still would prefer not to be a minorty.It also seems to me the family structure has been desimated.

reply to post by debz325


I think the priorities of whites are more focused on career then family, compared to other ethnic groups, which is why we see more birth control in use. As for there being a conspiracy to destroy their numbers, who's behind this and for what gain/objective?

[edit on 23-5-2009 by The All Seeing I]

reply to post by debz325


edited.Wrong post

[edit on 23-5-2009 by Solomons]