 a bit of balance 04/04/05Some folks might consider this to be a little harsh, in bad taste maybe, and mean, considering how beloved John Paul 2 was. It is, and I'm sorry if I'm pissing anyone off. However, I've been searching all day for an editorial cartoon that even slightly criticizes his policies, or the footprint he left behind, and I haven't found a single one. So if this cartoon offends you, be comforted that it will be the ONLY ONE.
Try this experiment: Google "number aids africa". You'll get endless articles describing that AIDS is the #1 killer in some African countries, that one in three adults are infected in sub-Saharan Africa, that half of the 15 year olds will die of the disease in Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa, that there are 17 million dead and 24 million infected. Doctors Without Borders says that the world hasn't figured out yet that this isn't an African problem, but a World problem.
Now google "number catholics africa". You'll get figures describing how the numbers of catholics in Africa have nearly doubled in twenty years- from 50 million to 90 million, and that more than two thirds of catholics worldwide are from the "global south". You might even find an article or two drawing a parallel between these numbers and the rise of AIDS in Africa, but it isn't likely.
I'm not saying that the AIDS pandemic is the Pope's fault, there are many factors at work causing this catastrophe, the main problems being lack of money, education, and racism. At the same time, I'm sure some people might be forgiven their frustration when people like the Congo's Kinshasa Archbishop Dominique Bulamatari said: "Using condoms as a means of preventing AIDS can only lead to sexual promiscuity."
Pope John Paul the second had always taken a hard line with any form of contraception, and consistently refused to budge, even when more than 75 percent (by conservative estimates) of the faithful in rich western countries don't follow those rules. There is an opportunity now to face reality and make some necessary changes.
Sanctity of life? I just don't get it.
dan @ Dstrbo.com
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a bit of balance 04/04/05
