HRC says Pope Benedict’s misguided AIDS comments are “hurting people in the name of Jesus”

The Human Rights Campaign has wasted little time in responding to Pope Benedict’s comment that the distribution of condoms can’t resolve the AIDS epidemic and actually told the Associated Press while traveling to Africa: “On the contrary, it increases the problem.”

Said Harry Knox, director of the Human Rights Campaign’s Religion & Faith Program: “The Pope’s statement that condoms don’t help control the spread of HIV, but rather condoms increase infection rates, is hurting people in the name of Jesus. On a continent where millions of people are infected with HIV, it is morally reprehensible to spread such blatant falsehoods.  The Pope’s rejection of scientifically proven prevention methods is forcing Catholics in Africa to choose between their faith and the health of their entire community.  Jesus was about helping the marginalized and downtrodden, not harming them further.”

Well said.

Here are some facts: About 22 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are infected with HIV, according to UNAIDS.  In 2007, three-quarters of all AIDS deaths worldwide were there, as well as two-thirds of all people living with HIV. The Pope’s remarks come in the same week the Washington Post reported at least 3 percent of residents in the District of Columbia have HIV or AIDS, elevating the disease to a “severe” epidemic.