"I'm waiting until a priest tells us which way to go" says a Kenyan catholic. There have been cautious reactions in Africa and around the world to Pope Benedict XVI's statement that the use of condoms is acceptable in some cases.

Previously, the pope has always totally rejected the use of contraceptives. But in a recent interview with German journalist Peter Seewald, Benedict was less categorical: using condoms is permissible in some individual situations. He was referring primarily to people infected with the AIDS virus HIV.

Wise decision
In Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, priests refused to comment officially on the pope's statement, considered the official position of the Catholic Church.

But under cover of anonymity, many think it is a wise decision. "Believers can finally protect themselves without the feeling of being in conflict with their religion," says a priest.

The theologian John Goban has some reservations. ''We encourage abstinence for the unmarried and fidelity among couples. However, the wearing of condoms may be justified in couples where one partner is infected (with an STD, ed.) or in order to space pregnancies. Simply encouraging condom use outside this framework would encourage prostitution and debauchery.''

Change of position
During his visit to Cameroon on March 17, 2009, Benedict XVI opposed the use of condoms as a solution to the spread of AIDS. At the time, the pope said that the condom "exacerbates" the problem instead.

This position had raised strong criticism in the world and particularly among AIDS patients. Today, it is with great relief for those who are HIV positive.

''We are pleased that the Pope has returned to better feelings. It will be easier to take care of Catholic patients. We could also provide condoms as a means of avoiding AIDS,'' concludes Bertrand Kampo, the president of one of the largest associations of people living with HIV/AIDS in Cameroon.

No comment
In Kenya the news about the pope's volte-face has been covered in the newspapers and on radio and television. The official institutions have not yet commented. Nor has the website run by the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya. Churches and theologians have been silent so far. They are waiting for an official reaction from Cardinal John Jeu, the archbishop of Nairobi.

The Roman Catholic Church has a great deal of influence in Kenya but, in private conversations, priests have been advocating the use of contraceptives for some time.

In the Kenyan daily The Standard the reaction of churchgoers has been largely stoical: "I heard it on the news but no one has given their opinion, so I'll wait until the priest tells us which way to go." says one. Another opines: "The pope would never take decisions that are bad for the church or the faithful. He must have good reasons."

Enthusiasm in DRC
Rigobert Malalako, a catholic and director of Radio Bangu from the Bas Congo province in DRC is enthusiastic about the latest statement from the pope.

"This is a great achievement, a decision to be welcomed, because of sexually transmitted diseases.  In my circle, some people and the pastors of other churches consider it a real turnaround but that it’s going to encourage prostitution." 

"What did influence the pope is the fact that in one way or another, the risk of contracting AIDS would be decreased by using condoms. But there is also everything that is happening within the church with all those priests who have children left and right and the cases of pedophilia. All of this has put “some pressure” on the pontiff, for him to make such a statement." Malalako concludes

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