With the pope in Africa

You probably heard about the "controversy" that ensued when the pope, in answer to a question from a French reporter on his plane to Africa, opined that as far as HIV/AIDS prevention is concerned, condoms are part of the problem rather than part of the solution.

It's no surprise that Benedict XVI would say that, or that woefully misinformed commentators (like Jon Stewart of The Daily Show) would sieze on that remark in a lame attempt to portray Catholicism as out of touch with reality (Stewart took the low road: "The pope went on to say that smoking cures cancer, and that if you're looking for a quick morning pick-me-up, try heroin.")

What Stewart and his ilk won't mention is that even honest AIDS researchers (and health care administrators) say the pope was right. Moreover, the pope is not alone, not least because "This opinion is supported by local African AIDS activists who regularly complain that AIDS sufferers in their countries are being used in a massive international campaign both to reduce African populations and undermine traditional African family values."

Certainly Pope Benedict is no stranger to controversy. What's aggravating to those of us who are grateful for his leadership is that so many "controversies" warrant those quotation marks because they're just temper tantrums thrown by people with access to a microphone or a journalist's notebook. (UPDATE: That's not just me talking. Non-Catholic novelist Andrew Klavan implies as much in this fine defense of the pope.)

Hissy fits are counterproductive. "Holier-than-thou" hissy fits are especially counterproductive. Far better to listen to and think about what Pope Benedict actually says in his official capacity, as in this excerpt from a speech given this week in Cameroon (Deacon Greg Kandra has more):

"If discouragement overwhelms you, think of the faith of Joseph; if anxiety has its grip on you, think of the hope of Joseph, that descendant of Abraham who hoped against hope; if exasperation or hatred seizes you, think of the love of Joseph, who was the first man to set eyes on the human face of God in the person of the Infant conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Let us praise and thank Christ for having drawn so close to us, and for giving us Joseph as an example and model of love for him.

Dear brothers and sisters, I want to say to you once more from the bottom of my heart: like Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary into your home, that is to say do not be afraid to love the Church. Mary, Mother of the Church, will teach you to follow your pastors, to love your bishops, your priests, your deacons and your catechists; to heed what they teach you and to pray for their intentions. Husbands, look upon the love of Joseph for Mary and Jesus; those preparing for marriage, treat your future spouse as Joseph did; those of you who have given yourselves to God in celibacy, reflect upon the teaching of the Church, our Mother: “Virginity or celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of God not only does not contradict the dignity of marriage but presupposes and confirms it. Marriage and virginity are two ways of expressing and living the one mystery of the Covenant of God with his people” (Redemptoris Custos, 20)."

In John Zmirak's typically felicitous phrase about our German Shepherd, "Insofar as he shows us (through smoked Bavarian glass) the Father he works for, Il Papa makes us positively long to embrace Big Daddy."

POSTSCRIPT: For background on why the church believes what it does with regard to contraception, there are a number of reliable sources, but George Sim Johnston's "The Bitter Pill" is a good place to start.