Stronger Disease Message Wanted (Press, 19 September 1987)
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Summary: Stronger Disease Message Wanted (Press, 19 September 1987)
On 19 September 1987, the Catholic Church expressed its concerns regarding the Health Department's A.I.D.S. Awareness Week. The Church's representatives, particularly the national director of Catholic Communications, the Rev. Jim Lyons, voiced their belief that the campaign's message was insufficient in warning the public about the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases. Father Lyons highlighted that the current messaging, which suggested that A.I.D.S. could be managed through limiting sexual partners and using condoms, was not strong enough. He firmly stated that the only truly safe sexual practice is "faithful sex or self-disciplined abstinence," underscoring the Church's stance on the issue. While the Church did not outright criticise the awareness week itself, Father Lyons argued that the severity of A.I.D.S. should be communicated more aggressively. He described the disease as “lethal” and urged that individuals recognise the serious consequences of their sexual behaviours. The Church's position reflects its traditional views on sexuality and its commitment to promoting safer practices through faithfulness and abstinence rather than the use of condoms.
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