News on The Roman Catholic Church

Condoms still banned for birth control: Vatican

2010-12-21T11:00:35Z

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict's acknowledgement that using condoms may be justified to stop the spread of AIDS did not signify a change in the Catholic Church's ban on their use as contraception, the VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict's acknowledgement that using condoms may be justified to stop the spread of AIDS did not signify a change in the Catholic Church's ban on their use as contraception, the Pope's remarks on condoms sow widespread confusion among church leaders, parishioners

Some Roman Catholics are confused. Some are angry. Others just don't believe the pope meant what it seems he said. Days after the release of Pope Benedict XVI's comments that condoms can be justified to prevent the spread of HIV, there is widespread confusion about exactly what he was trying to say. Th...

APNewsBreak: Pope seeks debate on condoms and AIDS

2010-11-22T09:00:17Z

APNewsBreak: Vatican insider: Pope seeks to start debate on condom use to prevent AIDS spread

A Vatican insider says Pope Benedict XVI is seeking to "kick-start a debate" with his suggestion that using condoms could be acceptable in some cases as a means of fighting AIDS.

Benedict said in an intervie...

Pope: condoms can be justified in some cases

2010-11-20T09:30:27Z

Pope says in new book that use of condoms can be justified in case of male prostitutes

Pope Benedict XVI says in a new book that the use of condoms can be justified in some cases, such as for male prostitutes seeking to prevent the spread of HIV.

The pontiff made the comments in a book-length interview with a German journalist, "Light of the World: The Pope, the Church and the Sig...

Philippine lawmakers to push family planning bill

2010-11-11T02:00:45Z

Philippine legislators make new push for family planning despite Catholic church opposition

A group of Philippine lawmakers said Thursday it will try to pass a family planning bill with backing from the country's new president despite strong opposition from the Roman Catholic Church.

Members of the Jon O'Brien, president of National Statistics Office said in a statement, citing the results ...

One in three newborns in Philippines 'unwanted'

2010-04-16T07:39:06Z

One in three newborns in the Philippines is unwanted or unplanned, the government said Thursday, as the country struggles with a population explosion and the Church's opposition to birth control.

The fertility rate of Filipino women stood at 3.3 children, even though four out of 10 said they preferred to have only two children, the National Statistics Office said in a statement, citing the results o...

Morning after pill

2010-10-22T09:04:34Z

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Italy Partial Solar Eclipse

2011-01-04T02:31:18Z

A partial solar eclipse is pictured though the clouds framed by statues on the Vatican's colonnade, at the Vatican, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)

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Vatican Pope

2011-01-02T05:31:37Z

Pope Benedict XVI, framed by marbles statues, delivers his blessing during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Vatican Bank

2010-12-30T04:01:13Z

FILE - This Sept. 21, 2010 file photo shows Italian financial Police officers talking to each other with St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in the background, in Rome. On Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010 the Vatican created a new financial watchdog agency and issued new laws to comply with interna...

Vatican Pope Christmas

2010-12-26T05:01:02Z

Vatican Swiss guards leave following Pope Benedict XVI's "Urbi et Orbi" (to the City and to the World) message, in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2010. Pope Benedict XVI in his Christmas Day message Saturday urged Catholics loyal to him in

Vatican Britain Pope's Message

2010-12-24T10:01:06Z

This photo taken on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010 and made available by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano on Friday, Dec. 24, 2010, shows Pope Benedict XVI recording his message at the Vatican for the BBC radio 4 show to be aired Friday. Benedict XVI m...