AFRICA/NIGERIA - “Those who have not seen anything good in what the Pope has said can be seen as enemies of Africa,” Bishops of Nigeria affirm

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) – The Bishops of Nigeria have joined in expressing their support for the Holy Father in regards to the controversy that began during his recent visit to Angola and Cameroon. In a declaration sent to Agenzia Fides, the Bishops' Conference denounces the “unprecedented media campaign has been launched against that realistic reiteration of the Catholic Church’s moral position” on the fight against AIDS.
“Most of those who join the polemics over the Holy Father’s statements,” the Bishops of Nigeria say in reference to the decision of the Belgian Parliament, “fail to accept that the true problem in the spread of Aids in Africa is not the condom; there is the issue of behaviour and a way of being. And this is the centre of the Pope’s statement.”
The Bishops affirm that the Holy Father's words show “that his love for the people and the continent of Africa cannot be compromised and towers high above the other interests that may go contrary to that of the Church.”
“It is obvious that those who have not seen anything good in what the Pope has said can be seen as enemies of Africa who apparently see the continent as the guinea pig of foreign business ventures and therefore do not care whatever becomes of the continent and its people.” Nigeria itself is home to several multinational pharmaceutical companies who have been indicted on accusations of experimenting with new pharmaceutical products without following proper protocol.
“What Africa needs is passion and compassion on the issue of HIV/AIDS which is ravaging the continent and making the future bleak for the youths of the continent. Ever as confirmed in the scientific world condom is no full proof against HIV/AIDS. Rather, its distribution will only help to increase the sexual waywardness of the continents’ youths who have access to it,” the Bishops of Nigeria concluded. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 13/5/2009)