With more than 40 million people now infected with HIV and AIDS it has been hard to understand and accept Vatican intransigence in insisting that condoms cannot be used as part of comprehensive program of prevention diagnosis and treatment.

Many people have applauded recent pronouncements that signal a possible modest change in the Vatican’s policy. Some officials have said the Vatican is considering the possibility of allowing married heterosexual couples where partners are at risk of using condoms. Other equal powerful Vatican officials have said this change is not possible. Ultimately it will be up to the Pope – and if history is any predictor, he will veto change.

Listen to CFFC president Frances Kissling make the case for changing the Vatican’s opposition to the use of condoms to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS, even for married couples when one partner is infected. (This podcast was originally released on RHRealityCheck.org.)

Emergency contraception has the potential to prevent pregnancy before it happens.  Listen to Frances Kissling's challenge to the Catholic health care industry to help women, especially survivors of sexual assault, prevent unintended pregnancy.

A Conversation Between Frances Kissling & Kavita Ramdas.

Internationally recognized feminists Catholics for a Free Choice president Frances Kissling and Global Fund for Women president Kavita Ramdas mark International Women's Day with an incisive conversation about the most pressing issues women face today.

Thoughtful, honest and at times provocative, Frances and Kavita explore issues ranging from peace to economic security to the challenges of fundamentalism.  Questioning the role and relevance of the women's movement today, they discuss what it means to be a feminist today, some of the differences (and similarities) for women in the Global North and South and even the role for men.

The Condoms4Life campaign has launched a major ad and grassroots campaign in New York, San Francisco and Washington DC to encourage responsible sexuality and to raise awareness about the Vatican's ban on condoms. Catholics For a Free Choice