The media is practically falling over themselves with a report , propagated in part by the flimsy Nicole Winfield of the Associated Press, that Pope Benedict XVI has “justified” the use of condoms. (See this enormous (and misleading) headline at HuffPo, for example.) But is it true? In a word, no. Nowhere in his remarks does the Pope talk about “justifying” anything. Rev. Joseph Fessio is the editor-in-chief of Ignatius Press, which is publishing the interview book Light of the World , from which the Pope's notable remarks are gleaned. Fr. Fessio is quoted in the New York Times , “It would be wrong to say, 'Pope Approves Condoms.' He's saying it's immoral , but in an individual case the use of a condom could be an awakening to someone that he's got to be more conscious of his actions.” Dr. Janet E. Smith at Catholic World Report has an excellent explanation of the Pope's remarks. She also provides the actual interview exchange from the upcoming book. read more
More:
Media Falls Way Short in Claiming Pope Has ‘Justified’ Condom Use