The most wicked thing the present Pope has said is that condoms do NOT protect against the HIV virus, and that it's still a sin to use them even if a husband is HIV positive and needs to protect his wife (or vice versa) I believe he maintained that the virus (and other STDs) passes across the rubber membrane through tiny holes, an idea totally unsubstantiated by scientific research. I think this monstrous distortion of fact was later retracted, but millions of Catholics throughout the world (especially in Africa, in which I'm particularly interested) must have accepted this ruling and risk their lives daily because of it. If the 'Rhythm Method' is acceptable, why not condoms, which are likewise contraceptive, and NOT abortive?