| According to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV | | | | �The fact that young people start to be |
| AIDS (UNAIDS) nearly 1.8 million people who reside in | | | | sexually active between 15 and 19 without sex |
| Latin America are infected with HIV, in large part due | | | | education contributes to the spreading of the virus, as |
| to the ever-increasing population. Of these cases, | | | | well as the fact that the evidence shows abstinence is |
| more than a third can be found in Brazil, with Argentina | | | | not working.� |
| and Colombia following close behind in the thriving | | | | Reports indicated that 35% of those infected with |
| epidemic. Unsafe sex practices between males are | | | | AIDS can be attributed to sex between two men. The |
| the largest culprit, but coupled with unsafe sex in male | | | | Catholic response to this is a call for monogamous |
| female relationships and drug abuse, the situation is | | | | heterosexuality. Catholic supporters feel that if |
| dire. | | | | Catholics followed the Church�s teachings, |
| UN officials strongly believe that the epidemic has | | | | including abstaining from sex before marriage and |
| been fueled in part by the Catholic Church�s | | | | remaining loyal to one�s husband/wife, AIDS |
| prevalent and rigid ban on condoms. Alberto Stella, the | | | | would not be as rampant as it has become. |
| UNAIDS coordinator for several Latin American | | | | The fact of the matter is that in 2004, there were |
| countries, including Costa Rica and Honduras, issued | | | | 320,000 new cases of HIV reported. Only two years |
| the following statement: �In Latin America, the | | | | later, that number had risen to 410,000 cases, as |
| use of condoms has been demonized, but if they | | | | reported by UNAIDS. The percentage of those |
| were used in every relation I guarantee the epidemic | | | | infected between the ages of 15 to 24 years has |
| would be resolved in the region.� Consider the | | | | been reported to be about 0.5%. In response to these |
| fact that in today�s world, 1.1 billion people | | | | growing cases, Brazil�s health ministry has |
| (about 1 in 6 people) label themselves Catholic. Of | | | | gone to great lengths to promote safe sex in their |
| these Catholics, half reside in Latin America. Despite | | | | region by handing out millions of free condoms |
| the departure from the church of many of these | | | | (especially during its Carnival festival in February), |
| Catholics to the Protestant movement taking hold in | | | | advertising on the radio about the benefits of safe sex |
| Latin America, the Catholic Church is still an impacting | | | | and planning for the installation of condom machines in |
| force in Latin American society. | | | | schools throughout the area. |
| The Catholic Church has a firm stance on abstinence | | | | For more information visit: Catholic Church Condom |
| before marriage and feels that this chastity along with | | | | Ban in Latin America |
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| youth about the values of marriage and family will | | | | Trojan, Lifestyles and Crown condoms for the best |
| solve the root of the problem and that handing out | | | | prices online. Buy the Best Condoms Online with |
| condoms to teenagers is akin to promoting sex before | | | | Condom Man. Learn how to put on a condom, how to |
| marriage and promiscuity. Stella responds with | | | | choose the right condom for you, and more. |