I am writing to you today to urge you to take action in the fight against AIDS!

On Tuesday, March 17, Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Cameroon for his first papal pilgrimage to the African continent and made his first pontifical statement directly opposing the use of condoms to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS. He stated his belief that condom distribution actually “increases the problem.”

This horrific misinformation directly translates into the loss of thousands of lives every single day across the African continent.

In his call for the “humanization of sexuality,” the Pontiff’s strict stance on abstinence-only programs and fidelity within the bonds of heterosexual marriage, fails to take into account the reality that most women living with HIV/AIDS on the continent today contracted the virus from their husbands.

Condoms are not the only answer, but their use protects women.

The use of condoms protects the lives of gay and straight men alike.

And their use protects the lives of future generations of children.

Sixty percent of the world’s people living with HIV/AIDS call Africa home. Millions of dollars in religion-based, abstinence-only programs, and similar abstinence-only aid from governments such as that of the United States have had a devastating result, allowing 12% of the world’s population to experience 75% of its deaths from HIV/AIDS.

The people of the African continent cry out for responsible moral leadership and science-based prevention strategies to curb the spread of disease.

Science and faith are not enemies.

They must be partners in the fight against AIDS.

Twenty-five million people in Africa alone have died of AIDS. Twenty-two million more are living with HIV or AIDS today, many of them young mothers with infected children, almost all of whom were exposed to the virus through unprotected sex, often within the bonds of heterosexual marriage.

The Rev. Jim Mitulski has testified about the countless numbers of women he met in Zimbabwe, alone – women who tragically believe their faith forbids the use of condoms and who, therefore, believe they cannot morally protect themselves or future offspring.

Joshua Love, Director of Global HIV/AIDS Ministry of Metropolitan Community Churches, has documented the impact of HIV/AIDS upon marginalized populations. He notes, “Using religion to turn people away from the use of condoms is unconscionable, serving to further marginalize them.”

The best weapon in the fight against AIDS is the dissemination of accurate information, and that is where you and I come in. The Bible is not an abstinence-only advocate. That is just the truth.  Many types of relational configurations have their stories told within its sacred pages.

People need to hear the truth that can set them free to live healthy, productive and spiritually centered lives.

Women and men must be educated in the practice of safer sex and the use of condoms and anti-viral foam.  Condoms are the “single most efficient, available technology to reduce the sexual transmission of AIDS,” according to UNAIDS.

The distribution of anti-viral foam to women unable to negotiate for protected sex with their male partners would safeguard many, many lives.

The life expectancy of our brothers and sisters in the 35 African nations with the highest HIV prevelancy rates has decreased by 6.5 years.  Estimates suggest that in the next three years the number of men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS could rise to 90 million if we do not act now to curb the effects of unprotected sexual activity.

While I commend the work of agencies like Catholic Relief Services across Africa, especially their efforts in some of the poorest and most marginalized communities, I cannot responsibly condone as a person of faith, a religious leader and a person of conscience, the irresponsible advocacy of doctrines that unnecessarily endanger and often take human life.

Therefore, I urge you to join me today in acting to fight AIDS and save lives.