The Church's stand in defense of Human Life is morally and theologically right, when viewed from an individual's own self perspective.

However, intrinsically the policy is not consistent, since it fails to distinguish between the biological state prior to and after conception. Correctly applied, the Church's prohibition should apply only to created life after the moment of conception, since logically no life exists prior to the moment of conception, this defined in the strictest sense as the moment the egg is penetrated by a single sperm to form a viable living human being.

However, if no egg fertilization has occurred, then there is no valid reason to prohibit such birth control methods as those which prevent the fertilization prior to conception. Namely, all condoms, vaginal blocking devices, sponges, female condoms, spermicides and any male contraceptive devices, medications and vasectomies should be explicitly excluded from the Church's prohibition.

Not to do so will endanger the World's public health by fomenting the spread of the AIDS virus. The Church should unequivocally call for the use of condoms in all relations where safety and/or control is desired.

Our problem of World overpopulation is obvious to anyone today. If not brought under control, only more awesome and more horrifying famines, genocidal wars, pestilence, and wave after wave of crime and terror will await us all.

Traditionalism and dogma in the name of Life will only hasten the day of this apocalypse. The Church must face up to modern reality and declare a specific ruling on condoms and pre-conceptive birth control.

Atlanta,
August 12, 1994