The Catholic church has strongly objected to a proposal by members of Parliament and the National Commission to Combat HIV/AIDS – Timor-Leste to provide a safe place for prostitution in order to arrest the spread of the HIV virus.
The church objects on the grounds that prostitution is illegal and contravenes its doctrines.
“Sex must be done with the consent of both parties and without payment,” Baucau Diocese bishop Dom Basilio do Nascimento said at a HIV/AIDS workshop at Hosana Church in Dili.
“People are messing up everything.
“(The church’s position is) that we must not use condoms or build a place (for prostitution).
“You may think I’m mentally underdeveloped but I will always stick to the church’s position.”
He said the use of condoms could lead to a rise in promiscuity.
The bishop said it was his opinion that HIV/AIDS did not occur because of biological causes but was instead caused by social, economic and political issues.
Member of Parliament Virgilio da Costa Hornai said while it was a sensitive situation, the church and the government must agree on measures to protect the new generation
National University of Timor Lorosa’e academic administration vice rector Edmundo Viegas agreed the topic needed discussion by the church and government.
“The said is complicated and there is a need to include stakeholders from society,” he suggested.
The university was willing to gather stakeholders to hold a discussion to find a solution, he said.
