On "The Many Faces of AIDS"

Letter to Archbishop Pio Laghi

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
May 29, 1988

THE LIVELY DISCUSSION, widened and sometimes distorted by the press worldwide,
which followed the publication of the NCCB Administrative Board's well-known
document, "The Many Faces of AIDS," and in which were involved distinguished
representatives of the episcopate, has generated in many of the faithful, and not only in
the United States, a good deal of confusion regarding the authentic Catholic position on
the moral problems involved. The Holy See wishes, therefore, to express its deep
concern that the unity so necessary among the bishops in the teaching of Christian
moral doctrine be clearly and publicly demonstrated.

In the first place, and on a more general level, one must keep in mind the problem
posed by the worldwide reaction which accompanies certain documents issued by
various episcopal conferences. This requires a particular sense of responsibility and
prudence in the choice of themes to be treated and in the manner in which these
statements are published, not to mention a careful composition of the texts themselves.
At least in some cases, when the subjects under discussion are of interest to the
universal church, it would seem advisable to consult in advance with the Holy See.

Secondly, regarding the precise moral issue in question here, I want to draw attention
to the clarification which appeared in the March 10 edition of L'Osservatore Romano, in
an unsigned article entitled "Prevention of AIDS: Christian Ethical Aspect," and I quote,

To seek a solution to the problem of infection by

promoting the use of prophylactics would be to
embark on a way not only insufficiently reliable from
the technical point of view, but also and above al l,
unacceptable from the moral aspect. Such a proposal
for 'safe' or at least 'safer' sex -- as they say --
ignores the real cause of the problem, namely, the
permissiveness which, in the area of sex as in that
related to other abuses, corrodes the moral fiber of
the people.
In the case here under discussion, it hardly seems pertinent to appeal to the classical
principle of tolerance of the lesser evil on the part of those who exercise responsibility
for the temporal good of society. In fact, even when the issue has to do with
educational programs promoted by the civil government, one would not be dealing
simply with a form of passive toleration but rather with a kind of behavior which would
result in at least the facilitation of evil.

The problem of educational programs in specifically Catholic schools and institutions

requires particular attention. These facilities are called to provide their own contribution
for the prevention of AIDS, in full fidelity to the moral doctrine of the church, without at
the same time engaging in compromises which may even give the impression of trying
to condone practices which are immoral, for example, technical instructions in the use
of prophylactic devices.

In a society which seems increasingly to downgrade the value of chastity, conjugal

fidelity and temperance, and to be preoccupied sometimes almost exclusively with
physical health and temporal well-being, the church's responsibility is to give that kind
of witness which is proper to her, namely an unequivocal witness of effective and
unreserved solidarity with those who are suffering and, at the same time, a witness of
defense of the dignity of human sexuality which can only be realized within the context
of moral law. It is likewise crucial to note, as the board statement does, that the only
medically safe means of preventing AIDS are those very types of behavior which
conform to God's law and to the truth about man which the church has always taught
and today is still called courageously to teach.

I am confident that these considerations, which are known to His Holiness and have his
fullest support, will be welcomed by the cardinal and bishop members of the conference
and I wish to express my sincerest hope for a successful conclusion of this important
meeting of the entire episcopate of the United States."

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

Prefect, Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith