Arias Blasts Catholic Church For Not Allowing Use of  The Condom
Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, yesterday reiterated his stand against the Catholic church's stand on the ban of the use of condoms. Arias said that "sooner or later" it has to give in.

"We have to be frank. The church has played a very negative role", said the president over the church's position on sex education and the fight against sexually transmitted diseases.

Monseñor Hugo Barrantes, archbishop of San José, assures that the position of the Vatican on the matter will not change. "We oppose... The condom distorts the natural sense of sexual relations", said the Monseñor.

Arias last June asked Pop Benedict XVI for flexibility in the rigid posture of the church against contraceptives, which brought him criticism. "If I were to him (the Pope) again, I will again ask him", said Arias.

"The church has to change. It does not even permit to distribute condoms to adolescents. The major irresponsibility is the lack of education on the subject..." said Arias.

The president made his comments yesterday morning while visiting the home of the Guzmán Rodríguez family, parents of the quintuplets born 12 days ago.

Arias made it clear that his comments are not related to the Guzmán Rodríguez family. The quintuplets were a result of artificial insemination by the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (social security).

Monseñor Barrantes assures that the Vatican will only accept the use of the condom in very specific situations, like where one of partner in a married couple is suffering from a venereal disease. The Monseñor added that the church is not against sex education, saying that parents should impart that education to their children.