French activists have been protesting over the Popes recent ‘Condoms aren’t the answer for AIDS in Africa’ stance.
Some Catholics are even now trying to claim that the Pope meant that condoms aren’t 100% effective. That however isn’t how this reads to me:
A tragedy that cannot be overcome by money alone, and that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems
Even if condoms were only 50% effective against AIDS/HIV then they will still help – provided that people are also given the education to understand the risks. As I have stated before, and is true of so many things, education is the key. Without the correct skills, everything can be dangerous. Imagine being given a car and not told how to drive. Some people will work it out and end up getting from A-B quickly and safely. Many others will muddle through and work most of it out. But there will be some that drive straight into a tree at high speed and kill themselves. All it needs is a few lessons and virtually everyone will be safe(ish) drivers.
I don’t often agree with the French, but when something has driven them enough to protest I usually agree with the root cause.
Also, let’s not forget that according to the church even abstinence isn’t 100% effective against pregnancy. 
