Anglicans add their voice to Aids-condom debate

SYDNEY: Condoms alone have not made society more promiscuous, the Anglican Dean of Sydney says, in comments partly endorsing the views of Catholic church leaders.

Cardinal Pell, head of the Catholic Church in Australia, yesterday said he agreed with Pope Benedict XVI that condoms were aggravating the African Aids epidemic by encouraging promiscuity.

"The idea that you can solve a great spiritual and health crisis like Aids with a few mechanical contraptions like condoms is ridiculous," Cardinal Pell said.

Phillip Jensen, Anglican Dean of Sydney, told AAP yesterday that he sympathised with Cardinal Pell's views, but did not believe condoms alone had made society more promiscuous.

"In terms of adultery, in terms of divorce, in terms of grandchildren, yes we are in big trouble as a society because of the sexual revolution," he said.

"In my view, it's a disaster. It has ruined lives. It is ruining our society."

Cardinal Pell said a health worker in Africa had told him condoms were not an effective solution. "He said people in remote areas are too poor to afford condoms."

- AAP