Analysis Essay

Armond Lorenzana

Mr. Schelle

ENGL 111

17 Sept 2009

The Pope: Angels and Condoms

The escalation of diseases reaching the level of global infection is truly a terrifying thought, but today most people believe it is something that has been cured from the world after the events of the Black Death in 1348. Many people think this is because of their understanding of how to prevent such diseases from spreading and occurring. Unfortunately, today, another pandemic is spreading in Africa under the name of the HIV/AIDS virus, a sexually transmitted disease that weakens the body’s immune system. According to Annabel Kanabus and Fredricksson-Bass of Avert.org, regarding Sub-Saharan Africa alone, “An estimated twenty-two million people were living with HIV at the end of 2007”. The methods to apprehend this virus are available, but unfortunately one of the most influential people in the world does not mention these methods in a positive light.

Pope Benedict XVI is regarded as the holiest man alive by the Catholic Church and with such a title, his influence is wide. Many of his beliefs and views on various issues can be seen in the book Humanae Vitae (1968) by Pope Paul VI. One section deals with the topic of birth control and its immorality as Pope Paul VI notes, “excluded is any action . . . specifically intended to prevent procreation” (“Religious views on Birth Control”). Today, the Pope follows this same view of sex even in AIDS stricken Africa by stating, “You can’t resolve it [AIDS] with the distribution of condoms. On the contrary, it increases the problem” (Besan). This remark has sparked controversy all over the world, enough to inspire cartoonist’s depictions of the pope and his role in helping Africa.

One artist sending a powerful message with his cartoon is Swedish cartoonist Riber Hansoon. In his cartoon, a small African boy is sitting on a diving plank, tied by a rope of condoms to a falling pope. Condoms connecting the pope and African boy show that not only is the pope’s remark bringing a downfall to condoms, but to his reputation and people of Africa as well. Hansoon’s portrayed situation shows that only the worst can come from listening to the Pope. Everything in the cartoon will eventually fall; and by showing this, Hansoon hopes to show the dangers of society listening to the Pope’s message.

Minor details in the artwork also strengthen the message. The Pope’s facial features and expressions show his lack of compassion towards those with AIDS. Even though he is facing his inevitable demise, the Pope still hosts a disturbing, amused smirk. This grin gives the impression of a job well done, in this case being the downfall of Africa. Fiendish qualities also appear on him. The Pope has pointy, devilish ears as well as eyes nearly rolled up to the back of his head. Such wicked features on a holy man make this situation seem hopeless and terrifying. Hansoon implies that the statement made by the Pope should not have been that of a holy man, but that of a demon.

The Pope’s portrayal as a demon is reinforced by the small child waiting to be dragged down into the abyss with him. The boy is a famine stricken African, which symbolizes the people of Africa. Obviously, the child and the Pope contrast in obvious ways. The wide, plump, happy face of the Pope is the exact opposite of the boy’s bent over, unhappy disposition. The frail child appears to have accepted his fate at the hands of the Pope, even though the Pope has his arms up, acting like he’s not guilty. Overall, the cartoon shows the Pope’s lack of consideration towards the health of the African people for his own stubborn views.

The Pope’s complete neglect of the scientific facts only shows his stubbornness and lack of knowledge on this issue. His statement that condoms actually increase the spread of the virus shows no concern for scientific fact. Dr. Steven Downshen confirms the effectiveness of condoms by stating, “Condoms do prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases . . . . Condoms are most effective at protecting against STDs like HIV/AIDS.” Ignoring this fact can only mislead people into the illusion that condoms don’t truly protect. While the Pope is right that abstinence is the only guaranteed way to keep from contracting the HIV virus, realistically, everyone is having sex.

Abstinence, while being effective towards this pandemic, is unrealistic because people will keep having sex. According to Marcella Alsan, a member of Catholic Online, “Extolling abstinence and fidelity . . . will not protect her . . . . refusing a husband’s sexual overtures risks ostracism, violence, and destitution for herself and her children”. This being the case, condoms will help tremendously in reducing the virus. It is the most realistic solution to the problem, today. Abstinence days that preach the idea of having no sex before marriage to teenagers not only fail, but many of the teenagers have sex unprotected the first time. Wayne Besen of The Huffington Post states that, “studies show that teens taking virginity pledges were just as likely to engage in sex – and less likely to use birth control or condoms when they finally did.”

The beliefs of the Pope are not quite clear now. If he was truly against the spread of such a disease, he would be advocating the release of free condoms. Abstinence may be the solution, in a perfect world, but it will not work for the entire population of Africa. Many Catholic priests recognize it and gladly go against what the Pope preaches. One question can be sprung from this issue: isn’t the Pope advocating murder, the taking of human life, by discouraging the small units of latex that can save millions? Perhaps only God can say.

Works Cited

Alsan, Marcella. “Catholic Church Condom Prohibition Comes Face to Face with reality of AIDS in Africa.” Catholic Online. 24 Apr 2006. 8 Sep                                           2009. <http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=19561>.

Besen ,Wayne. “Pope Condom Quote Undermines Credibility.” The Huffington Post. 25 Mar 2009. Web. 14 Sep 2009.<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wayne-besen/pope-condom-quote-undermi_b_178429.html>.

Dowshen, Steven. “Do Condoms really Work?”. Kids Health. Oct 2008. 8 Sep 2009.<http:kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/contraception/expert_condoms_work.html>.

Hansoon, Riber. Cartoon. Daryl Cagle’s Political Cartoonists Index. Web.                 17 Sep 2009.

Kanabus, Annabel and Jenni Fredriksson-Bass. "HIV and AIDS in Africa."Avert.org. 9 Sep 2009. 9 Sep 2009 <http://www.avert.org/aafrica.htm>.

"Religious views on Birth Control."Wikipedia. 3 June 2009. 9 Sep 2009                                      <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_views_on_birth_control#Roman_Catholicism>.