Pope advocates for the B in marriage ahead of World AIDS Day

Speaking in Uganda which was badly ravaged by AIDS in the 80s, Pope Francis advocated for fidelity in marriage two days to World AIDS day/MICHAEL MUMO

Speaking in Uganda which was badly ravaged by AIDS in the 80s, Pope Francis advocated for fidelity in marriage two days to World AIDS Day.

“May the Church in this country continue, especially through its parish communities, to assist young couples to prepare for marriage, to encourage couples to live the marital bond in love and fidelity,” he said during a mass in Namugongo.

The ABC’s of AIDS prevention being A for Abstinence, B for Be faithful and C for Condoms; the Catholic church only advocates for the first two.

During his time in Africa, the Pope has come out strongly in defence of the family unit and the larger family of Christ whose values, he’s said, are endangered by the pursuit of earthly possessions.

“This is especially important today for we are seeing the growth of new deserts created by a culture of materialism and indifference to others,” he said while in Kenya.

Possessions which, he continued to preach in Uganda, “do not bring lasting joy or peace. Rather, fidelity to God, honesty and integrity of life, and genuine concern for the good of others bring us that peace which the world cannot give.”

READ: Aspire to more than money, Pope urges Kenyans

He’s also spoken out against abortion describing the unborn, during his Homily at the University of Nairobi, as, “a blessing for our world.”

In Uganda he continued to advocate for the larger family of Christ by making the case for a just society in which the innate dignity of the less fortunate is acknowledged.

He also took the message of conservation with him to Uganda where he lobbied for a concerted effort to, “protect the wonders of nature… our common home.”

Pope Francis defended the sanctity of marriage during a mass at the National Sanctuary of the Ugandan Martyrs at Namugongo.

The Shrine commemorates the martyrdom of 22 young Catholic converts during an anti-Christian persecution that took place under Mwanga II, the king of Buganda.

About The Author

OLIVE BURROWS

With a decade of storytelling under her belt, Olive Burrows has been with Capital FM for the last four years and perhaps most notably interviewed US President Barack Obama. Committed to asking the hard questions and telling the story in the most engaging way possible, she has also interviewed Melinda Gates, a UK Minister and severally had the opportunity to sit across from President Uhuru Kenyatta and address the pressing issues of the day. Other notables she has had occasion to seek answers from are UN Secretary General António Guterres and John Kerry in his time as US Secretary of State.

See author's posts