U.N.: More L. America AIDS cases due to "demonized" condoms

A senior official of the United Nations AIDS program claimed that the Catholic Church’s ban on condoms is making it easier for the virus to spread in Latin America:

"In Latin America the use of condoms has been demonized, but if they were used in every relation I guarantee the epidemic would be resolved in the region," said Alberto Stella, the UNAIDS Coordinator for Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

Despite the growth of Protestantism in Latin America, Roman Catholicism continues as the dominant faith in the region. The Church has used its political clout to influence issues relating to health such as condom distribution and decriminalizing abortion.

Sources- Reuters, ipsnews.net, The Latin Americanist

Image- New York Times