Pope Benedict XVI's comments on condom use do not signify a change in the Church's moral teaching or its pastoral practice, a note from the Vatican's doctrinal congregation has said.
The note, released yesterday by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said the Pope's remarks do not represent a break with the Church's doctrine on birth control, and cannot be construed to legitimise the use of condoms to prevent pregnancy.
It said that when Pope Benedict said condom use to reduce the risk of infection might be a first step toward moral awakening, he was referring specifically to prostitution, which is already considered gravely immoral by the Church.
