Catholics for a Free Choice Launch Ad Campaign Aimed at Ending Bishops’ Ban on Condoms
Catholics for a Free Choice tomorrow will launch an "unprecedented worldwide public education effort" aimed at ending Catholic bishops' ban on condoms, a CFFC press release states. The campaign, which will feature billboards, newspaper ads and ads in subways with the slogan "Banning Condoms Kills," targets Catholics and
non-Catholics alike. The campaign will be carried out in the United States and other countries, including Mexico, the Philippines, Kenya, South Africa, Chile and Zimbabwe, with "significant" Catholic populations or high levels of HIV/AIDS. The ads ask people to log on to a special Web site, condoms4life.org, and contact their local lawmakers to voice their support of condom programs and their concern that Catholic bishops participating in the ban may "undermine responsible public health policy on HIV/AIDS." CFFC President Frances Kissling states in the release, "The Vatican and the world's bishops bear significant responsibility for the death of thousands of people who have died from AIDS. For individuals who follow the Vatican policy and Catholic health care providers who are forced to deny condoms, the bishops' ban is a disaster ... We can no longer stand by and allow the ban to go unchallenged." The release notes that UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot has acknowledged the effect of the bishops' ban. "When priests preach against using contraception, they are committing a serious mistake which is costing human lives. We do not ask the church to promote contraception, but merely to stop banning its use," Piot said. The campaign kicks off Friday in Washington, D.C., with ads in 50 bus shelter and 225 subway ads. An ad will also run in the Washington Post and a full-page ad today will run in Europe in the Guardian Weekly. In January, billboards will appear in major cities in Belgium, South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Bolivia, Chile, Mexico and the Philippines, accompanied by newspaper ads. The ads are available online (CFFC release, 11/21).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.