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Father McLaughlin said he would not go as far as to engage is any legal battle to defend his point of view, but he remains grounded that researchers have been unfair in their expectations from the Catholic Church. Dr. Muturi’s research shows that Catholicism is Uganda’s dominant religion and she even states that the Catholic Church there “…is actively involved in fighting HIV and AIDS since 1987”. Yet she believes that they are “an obstacle in the fight against AIDS in the world”.
The Catholic Church accounts for only a mere 28% of the 66% of the World’s Christians, so “…to call us an obstacle in fighting AIDS is a callous indictment, as the Catholic Church has no more resources than the other denominations in the world, what we have is popularity”, says Father Gerard McLaughlin. Regarding the various proven incidents of sexual misconduct in the Catholic Church in the United States, he is initially laconic, but states that “sin is everywhere…and no more popular in the Catholic Church than elsewhere. Just last week in the news was word that a priest murdered a nun…so those blaming us for leaving acts of homosexuality unchallenged, are spreading one-sided rumours”. He highlights that the Catholic Church sees sexual activity as an expression of love and for procreation. “While two men cannot procreate, they can show affection in more natural ways…homosexuality is unnatural”. He is however unwilling to say it is a sin.
However, Dr. Muturi states that this kind of equivocation, twinned with anti-contraceptive beliefs are the actual factors making the impasse in the fight against AIDS. She recognises that the Catholic Church is challenging acts of misconduct and overt homosexual acts in private hearings, but their failure to be more open and public, is “creating the semblance of a double standard”. She continues that if they recognise that men (and even women) among them are having homosexual sex, “…then the attitude on contraception must be changed…sex without contraception (condoms) will cause AIDS transmission between infected persons…whether it is within the Catholic Church or any other social or religious setting”. Dr. Muturi asserts that the AIDS epidemic would see dramatic reduction in people of the Catholic faith if contraception were embraced by the faith. She also states that abstinence, while effective is not entirely realistic, hence the Catholic Church is in effect giving its members of the Church “…baskets to carry water”.
A document issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002 states that “The Church in the United States is experiencing a crisis…The sexual abuse of children and young people by some priests and bishops, and the ways in which we bishops addressed these crimes and sins, have caused enormous pain, anger, and confusion”.
This is the kind of confusion Dr. Muturi addresses. She believes that “the Catholic Church is indefinite about their stance” and that a fear of washing their dirty linen in public is “hindering help from being offered to the troubled faith”.
In the past, secrecy has created an atmosphere that has inhibited the healing process and, in some cases, enabled sexually abusive behavior to be repeated. As bishops, acknowledge their mistakes and role in that suffering, researchers are concerned as to whether more than just solemn promises will be needed. The same document issued by the Conference of Catholic Bishops states the Church takes responsibility for dealing with this problem strongly, consistently, and effectively in the future.
On the whole, while there is much more to unfold regarding the Roman Catholic Church’s stance on Sexuality and HIV/AIDS, the group remains tight-lipped on the matter while pressure groups outside are increasing the pressure for a change in their attitude and views.
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