Late Pope's anti-condom stance slammed

The papacy of John Paul II, who died at the weekend, has received little praise from international HIV/AIDS campaigners. Activists said on Monday that by stigmatising homosexuality, condemning condoms and hampering female empowerment, the pope may even have helped propagate the disease. Although the first cases of HIV emerged during his tenure and spread to become a global pandemic, the pontiff fought against condoms and homosexuality while emphasising a passive role for women as the family anchor and child bearer. Agence France-Presse quoted pro-reform Catholic group, We Are Church, as saying: "Among the human rights still crying out for recognition in the church are gender equality ... and the use of condoms to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS."