additional discussion of Pope Benedict's comments on condoms

The Pope's comment on condoms continues to generate discussion. It seems to me that the discussion has moved far beyond the scope of the Pope's initial comments, which didn't seem to justify the use of condoms. The discussion has increasingly focused on the morality of a married couples use of condoms to avoid the transmission of AIDS. Here is a recent story from Sandro Magister on the controversy, which includes a statement by Luke Gormally and a link to an analysis by George Weigel. Here is a good analysis by Janet Smith, which largely critiques the view of Father Martin Rhonheimer. I think Luke Gormally and Janet Smith have the better of the argument, which mainly deals with the scope of intention. As Janet Smith contends, Rhonheimer's view seems too abstract.

UPDATE: Courtesy of John Allen, here is a link to a new CDF statement on the controversy. The statement is designed make clear that the Pope's words in the interview "do not signify a change in Catholic moral teaching or in the pastoral practice of the Church."  And here is Father Rhonheimer's most recent treatment of the issue in which he responds at length to his critics.

Richard M.