The authors and America stand by the article, which they believe is a clear, accurate and respectful analysis of Monsignor Suaudeau's article in L'Osservatore Romano.
The central issue is whether the use of condoms can be understood to be a "lesser evil." In Catholic moral theology this term denotes regrettable activity that nevertheless can be tolerated, or may even be mandated. Bishops from the United States, Brazil, France, South Africa and Papua New Guinea have argued that the use of condoms to prevent HIV transmission is a lesser evil, and the same language was used by Monsignor Suaudeau in L'Osservatore Romano. Although this argument is based on traditional Catholic moral reasoning, in the past, no Vatican official or agency has used the language of "lesser evil" in talking about condoms and AIDS. Nor has any Vatican official or agency ever indicated that condoms in some instances have "good results" in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. For these reasons the authors found it hopeful that Monsignor Suaudeau, after close observation of the catastrophic realities emerging from Africa and Asia, signaled a willingness to acknowledge the orthodoxy of local bishops who have invoked the principle of lesser evil in addressing the role of condoms in the context of HIV prevention.
Our article is on the Web at: http://www.americapress.org/articles/fuller-keenan.htm
