In Jonathan Franzen’s novel Freedom, which I posted on recently, there is a character who is obsessed with the world’s population explosion. Although the issue no longer seems to concern everyone the way it did when I was in college (the early 1970’s), it’s still a serious problem. Indeed, every serious environmental issue we face–climate change, overfishing, large sea dead zones, habitat destruction, rain forest devastation, species extinction–can be linked to the fact that, on October 31 of this year, we will be hitting the seven billion mark. In 1999 we hit six billion.
Therefore Pope Benedict coming out in favor of condoms last November was a big deal. To be sure, the Catholic Church still opposes birth control. But the pope now sees condoms as necessary to help prevent the spread of sexual diseases, which are ravaging Africa and other areas. And condoms, other than when they are worn by men having sex with men, prevent birth. You can read an article on the subject that appeared in the New York Times here.
The Pope’s endorsement prompted Scott Bates to write the following light poem about the Vatican’s decision. Consider it a fantasy wish at a time when we could all use some hope touched with humor:
Vatican-sponsored condoms
They manufactured them
In attractive beige,
Purple, and black
With contrasting
White collar.
They distributed them
Under the trade name of
Immaculate
Contraception
At rock-bottom prices.
They made billions.
They gave it to the poor.
They saved the world.
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