rather confused. He states that Jesus warned against too rigid an interpretation of the law, and mentions the example of adultery being committed in thought, not just act. However, this seems to be a case where Our Lord called for a stricter adherence to the law.
Then Mr Stead goes on to relate his horror at the Catholic Action Group’s website, and its adherence to the magisterium, seeming to link the CAG with a group which considers Pope John XXIII to have been a heretic. Why? Because both groups have websites! It’s a non sequitur. The Vatican also has a website.
The CAG describes the use of condoms as a “grave error” simply because the Church does. The CAG haven’t made the teaching up. Our Lord said to His apostles: “He who hears you, hears Me; he who despises you, despises me.” The CAG is merely hearing the apostles’ successors, and therefore hearing Christ.
Promotion of condom use will not halt the spread of disease. Chastity will. To paraphrase Our Lord again: “Don’t even think about it!” That’s even stricter than: “Be good, but if you can’t be good, be careful.” Yours faithfully, CLARE WEBBER Fulford, Yorks