AIDS in Africa - Reprise

After my last post on AIDS in Africa, I got into a conversation (over a margarita) with a friend about my suggestion that the condom distribution is both and ineffective and a perverse use of money that could otherwise fill empty bellies (or, as one commentor suggested, support economic incentives, such as micro credit loans, to help lift the nation out of poverty). This friend belongs to a local chuch that is very much into missionary work and social programs. In my opinion, this chuch is also very liberal socially and often falls into the trap of shooting coyotes.


Despite research-based objections to condom distribution, her response was that, as long as we can help just one person, condom distribution was worthwhile. She argued that, even though the Catholic Church has a moral problem with contraception, its leaders and missionaries shouldn't try to discourage the efforts of the condom crusaders.


I think this conversation illustrates the problem with many churches (including some Catholic communities) that focus on social programs to the exclusion of the true mission of the church. It is true that part of Christ's commission for us is to help the less fortunate, and this is marked by his suggestion that "whatever you do unto the least of these, you do unto me." But we must also remember that it was Christ who rebuked Judas for suggesting that the oil used to annoint Jesus's head should have instead been sold in order to feed the poor.


The end does not justify the means. However well-intentioned our efforts are, we must never allow them to detract from our giving glory to God. And the greatest way that we can give glory to God is to become instruments for the spiritual salvation of others.


Let's pretend, then, that condom distribution is highly successful in Africa. Let's pretend the money for contraception couldn't more effectively be put toward food or economic programs.


The great commission of Christ is for us to be fishers of men - to be his tool in bringing all nations into communion with him.


And if we strive for social justice at the expense of that, we have failed in our mission as Christians. There is nothing inherently wrong with taking measures to extend a person's life or to relieve his pain and suffering, but if in doing so we must encourage him to do something which we know to be sinful, we have forgotten the greater significance of our church.

Similarly, there is nothing wrong with a church hosting a program, such as the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University, to help couples out of debt. Getting people out of debt is a good thing. However, when the process runs contrary to salvific values, that's it. Game over. When the priest invests so much time in the debt program that he can't prepare a good homily or can't make sufficient time for the confession booth, social justice has gotten in the way of the Christian mandate. If indebted couples were encouraged to do something immoral, such as to run a pornography website (even if this might lift them out of debt quicker), social justice has run contrary to the Christian mandate.

In Africa, this is exactly what many "Christian" groups are proposing to do - support an immoral defence against AIDS. Even more, they are encouraging a remedy that will, itself, lead to further immorality as African people get the wrong impression that condoms will allow them impunity as they engage in adultery and wanton extramarital sex.

God does not cause AIDS, but he brings, from all misfortune, good to those who love him. Perhaps the good that he is brining from the epidemic in Africa is the mission of so many to teach the virtues of chastity and respect. Too many assume the worst of the world's poor, treating them like savages who cannot control their basic urges.

As Christians, however, we respect the basic dignity of every human being, and we know that, having been made in the image of God, all men and women are capable of rising up beyond their basic urges.

Compassion is not helping someone to lead a long, healthy life if that life is lived in opposition to God's law. And preventing a temporal disease at the expense of an eternal reward isn't a trade-off the Catholic Church is willing to make.