AIDS & CONDOMS- A discussion by Cardinal Lozano

"This discussion arose over the action of condoms in cases of married couples with AIDS," Cardinal Lozano Barragán said. "This discussion took place in John Paul II's last months of life, but John Paul II was very, very conscious of these problems. I know it through personal experience, because I had access to him in this respect."

"When the Holy Father Benedict XVI did me the favor of granting me an audience he told me that it would be appropriate to talk about this subject" among competent persons of the Holy See, the cardinal said. "It is a question of examining scientifically and morally how things are."

The study responds first to the question: What guarantee exists to prevent infection with AIDS through a condom? A second question is: Is it morally licit to use a "technical" condom?

To respond to these two questions, the cardinal explained, "there are two important principles, which are the Sixth Commandment that says, 'You will not commit impure acts,' and the Fifth, which must always be taken into account: 'You shall not kill.'"

General principles

"Both commandments must be taken into account," he said. "But these are very general principles. The study is being done reflecting on the different opinions of experts on the application of both principles to the concrete case of the condom in these specific circumstances.

"The theologians give their opinions. We, as a council, cannot say, 'I adopt this opinion.' We contribute the existing opinions to the dialogue that, on the other hand, are known."

Cardinal Lozano Barragán added: "The Holy Father will see the results of this dialogue and with the help he has from the Holy Spirit must tell us, if he wishes, where we must go. He might also think that it isn't the appropriate moment to pronounce himself.

"I repeat: What I think and my commitment is simply to be an echo of what the Pope says. I don't have a personal opinion as head of this dicastery. My official opinion is to reproduce exactly to the letter what the Pope says."

Annual Retreat

Our annual retreat will be held in Fraser's Hill from 1st June (Check in 7pm, Thursday) to 4th June(Check out 1pm, Sunday)
The retreat master will be Rev Fr Fausta Gomez from the Philippines and he is an expert on Medical Bioethics.
Please contact Dr Anthonysamy or our secretary Dr Gladis for details.
Cost is RM 250 per personinclusive of food and accomodation.

Talk on Bioethics

The Catholic Doctor’s Association of Malaysia invites you to a forum on:

"BIOETHICS AND HUMAN LIFE"

Speaker: Rev Fr Fausta Gomez

Fr Gomez is a visiting priest from Philippines and has a special interest in Bioethics

Date: 6 June 2006 (Tuesday)
Time: 7.00 pm
Venue: Church of Assumption, Jalan Templer, Petaling Jaya
Light refreshments will be provided.

Am I allowed to conceive by the test tube (in vitro) method or other assisted reproductive techniques?
Are my babies allowed to be vaccinated by all current available vaccines?
Can I withhold food and nutrition from my sick and dying relatives?
Can I use condoms if I have HIV infection?
How is the medical profession responding to the challenges of the “Culture of Death”?

If you wish to have answers to the above questions, you should attend this interesting talk.

This talk on Medical Bioethics is open to all especially Catholic Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Health care workers, Lawyers, Social workers and interested parishioners.

Easter Fellowship

There will be an informal meeting followed by fellowship on Saturday, 7.30pm, 22 April 2006 at the home of Dato Menon.

All memebers and their spouses are invited.

Please call our secretary Dr Gladis Lawrence at 012-2887756 or Dr Anthonysamy at 019-3569784 during office hours to confirm your attendance. Dr Gladis can also be reached at her Email: cdasecretary@yahoo.co.uk

Annual Retreat

Our Annual retreat will be held in Fraser's Hill this year.

Date: 2nd to 4th June 2006

Retreat Master: Fr Fausto B Goimez (from Phillippines). Fr Gomez is an expert on Bio Ethics. He will also hold a post retreat talk on Medical Bioethics with the medical profession on 6 June 2006.

Please mark your calender for these 2 interesting programmes.