A World View: Catholic Attitudes on Sexual Behaviour and Reproductive Health

The Roman Catholic Church has become the focus of significant controversy in recent years, especially for its views on issues such as sexuality, reproduction, divorce and the family. In particular, its position against the use of condoms as a way of reducing the transmission of HIV and the spread of AIDS has been heavily criticised. Many Catholics disagree with the positions taken by the Church and are utilising methods of HIV/AIDS prevention and birth control anyway. Some do so discreetly, but more and more are doing so making it known that these decisions affirm freedom of choice. This report examines beliefs, feelings, and perceptions of these issues by Catholics worldwide. For example, in Mexico 2 percent of Catholics think the decision to abort a pregnancy should rest with the Church while 53 percent feel that it is mainly up to the woman and her partner. In Italy, 68 percent believed that that people who divorce and remarry in civil ceremonies should be admitted to communion. Information was compiled from multiple sources including magazines, market research, peer-reviewed journals, statistical databases, reproductive health advocates, newspapers and Catholic reference books.