Postscript.

"To tell the truth I cannot help laughing a little about this myth of my solitude. I do not feel alone at all. Every day I hold meetings with my closest collaborators, first among them the secretary of State.... Truly, I am surrounded by friends in a marvelous collaboration ... and I am grateful for this."

--Pope Benedict answers a reporter's question about his lack of contact with the outside world just minutes before he suggested the condom use would increase the spread of HW. (1)

"He's out of touch with the real world. On the condom issue, for example, there are priests and bishops in Africa who accept that condoms are a key part of the fight against AIDS, and yet the pope adheres to this very conservative line that they encourage promiscuity. "

--A Vatican insider remarks on Pope Benedict's isolation from the real world. (2)

"The choice for a husband is clear.... A man can stand by silently and allow his wife to suffer the physical and spiritual consequences of contraception. Or he can defend her virtue, body and soul by using [natural family planning]."

--NFP instructor Tom Mealey, in an article on natural family planning for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Web site. (3)

"Turn off your cell phones, computer, the TV and the lights. See what's left to do without electricity. Sing old songs, have a pillow fight, recount stories of how you met, plan for the future."

--One of the ten cheap (and sex-free) date suggestions listed on the USCCB's For Your Marriage Web site. (4)

"From a medical point of view, I have no doubt that there are obviously circumstances where prohibiting condoms is to consent to the death of many people ... the people who are advising the pope should be more cultured."

--Januario Torgel Ferreira, bishop of the armed forces of Portugal, responds to Pope Benedict's comments denouncing condom use as a means to prevent the transmission of HIV. (5)

"One of the fundamental weaknesses of modem Christianity is its ambivalence to women, and particularly for Catholicism. Until the traditional churches fully resolve their relationship with the female half of the population, how can they expect Christianity to have a future in the modem world?"

--Cherie Blair urges the hierarchy of the Catholic church to advance women's equality in the church. (6)

"It's a small way to remember the importance of concrete and not virtual relationships. It's an instrument to remind us that our actions and lifestyles have consequences in distant countries. "

--In a statement, the diocese of Modena in Italy urges the faithful to go on a high-tech fast for Lent. (7)

"Be careful with love. Think twice before marrying a Muslim, think seriously because it brings loads of hassle--and even Allah can't say where all that will end."

--Cardinal Jose Policarpo of Lisbon warns Catholic women against marrying Muslim men. (8)

(1) Vatican Information Services, "Pope replies to questions from journalists," March 17, 2009. (2) Nick Squires, "Vatican insiders declare the pope a 'disaster'," Telegraph (UK), March 19, 2009. (3) Tom Mealey, "Be Her Joseph!" USCCB, March 20, 2009. 4 USCCB, "Ten Cheap Dates," 2009. (5) Mario de Queiroz, "Africa: Pope on condoms--out in the cold," IPS, March 24, 2009. (6) Laura May, "Cherie attacks 'sexism' of the Catholic church," Scotsman, March 2, 2009. (7) Ariel David, "Italy faithful told to go on high-tech fast," Associated Press, March 4, 2009. 8 Agence France Presse, "Portuguese cardinal reportedly tells women not to marry Muslims," January 14, 2009.