Condoms in Cologne?

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The idea (of distributing condoms) is crazy. The thousands of youths who would be attending the World Youth Day are mostly conservative practicing Catholics, and as such, the distribution of condoms at the event would be shocking and offensive to them. -- Carol

It is such a great idea to make use of this event distributing condoms to the youth, considering the fact that it is not all prayers that will happen there. I just hope they will attach these condoms on flyers with useful information printed on it. Coming from a country such as the Philippines, whose population is so high and the rate of HIV-AIDS is increasing, I definitely agree with this concept! -- Sam, Philippines

Police should be distributing the rosary! -- Pachla

How stupid! It would be like having a bikini contest during the Muslim pilgrimage in Mecca or a pig roast at the Wailing Wall. -- P.Cassidy

How dare they even think of such a thing! This is a religious gathering of young people who are faithful to the Catholic Church, if they weren't they wouldn't bother to travel the distances some are traveling or live under the conditions they will be living under for the days of WYD. This should not be treated like any other gathering of young people such as a rock concert, etc. -- Anita

WYD is about Christ not about sex! People do not go to WYD to have sex, but if they do that means they didn't get the idea of WYD. Christ never spoke of sex, He spoke of love... our 21st century seems not see the difference between one and the other! -- Bea, Toronto, Canada

We need condoms like we need pornography -- both are evils that the Church condemns, and rightly so. -- Grace DeSouza

Giving away free condoms would imply that using them is perfectly okay, which it is not. Give these young people the respect they deserve -- acknowledge that they should and can abstain from immoral behavior. -- Joan Collins

Distribution of condoms is so contrary to what these young people are about. They are there to grow spiritually, not to be sexually active. We pray that those who wish to destroy the soul will be converted to know there is much more to life than a sexual appetite. -- Carol Finerty

Condoms should not be distributed. I think to do so shows arrogance beyond belief and insensitivity on behalf of those who push such an agenda. -- Fergal O'Neill

Did we not learn anything from our beloved Holy Father John Paul II regarding the culture of life and the theology of the body? We are made in the image and likeness of God and need to live for Him and live a life of self-sacrifice. -- Frances Huck