The denial of contraception to the world's poor is a social oppression far greater than Apartheid ever was. Take a look at the slums of India and you quickly realise their function as battery human farms supplying slave labour.

It is a shame to see the Catholic hierarchy obsessing about the morality of the sexual act, yet ignoring the immorality of those who deny the poor access to contraception.

Fester,
India is hardly a Catholic country. It is 80% Hindu.

Some countries that are predominantly Catholic have a very low birth rate. Eg Italy.

It has become very trendy to sink the boot into Catholics or Christians, and I've noticed it particularly prevalent from academics.

Luckily most of the first world, including most Catholics, takes
little notice of what the Pope thinks about contraception and
family planning. We have a separation of church and state, people
can afford to buy the pill, condoms, norplants or an abortion if
required. The snip is common too these days. The third world is not so fortunate.

I guess some days its a slow news day, so the press will fill in
the blanks with either what Paris Hilton, Sarah Palin or the old
papa have to say. Fair enough, its how journalists make a living.

Vanna

Catholicism is concerned for the welfare of all humanity, not just Catholics. India is an example of a country where the denial of contraception is a tool of social oppression. Whether it is an action of the Catholic Church or other parties does not change the fact that it is an act of oppression.

But if you want a predominantly Catholic example of where denial of contraception is a means of oppression then I would cite the Philippines. Just a few mega rich and masses of dirt poor people. The Catholic Church denies that there is any relation between the poverty and feudal distribution of wealth, and the rate of population growth. I differ with this opinion.

There is a mass of poverty stricken people residing in many Catholic countries. including Italy, as a result of the Church Hierarchy's stance against contraception.

"When the Pope speaks, people listen.."

Well, THERE'S your problem!

Fester,
Italy has a birth rate well below replacement level.

Australia's current wealth has more to do with coal and iron ore than anything else.

Its simply trendy to be critical of the Catholic church.

Nearly every academic does it.