Should be an interesting fight.
New York Archdioceses Declare War on City's Branded Condom DistributionFriday, February 16, 2007
New York City's official brand of condom, unveiled Feb. 14, 2007, at Kenneth Cole in New York.
NEW YORK — Edward Cardinal Egan and Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio yesterday declared a holy war against the city's distribution of 26 million free, subway-themed condoms, calling it an immoral "anything goes" policy that degrades society.
In a rare joint statement attacking Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration, the Catholic leaders said they were particularly disturbed that the "NYC" branded condoms were handed out by city workers to young teens on the streets Wednesday.
"The decision of the City of New York to distribute [26] million free condoms to the public — and minors as well, according to news reports — is tragic and misguided," Egan and DiMarzio said.
"Our political leaders fail to protect the moral tone of our community when they encourage inappropriate sexual activity by blanketing our neighborhoods with condoms," the statement continued.
Egan and DiMarzio warned that the condom plan will "degrade societal standards."
"The taxpayers' money that is being spent to distribute condoms and promote the attitude that 'anything goes' would be far better spent in fostering what is true and what is decent," they said.
New York Plans Official City Condom to Encourage Use New York City to Hand Out Free City Condoms on Valentine's Day Bloomberg defended the $1.5 million condom program spearheaded by city Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Frieden.
"With all due respect to Cardinal Egan and Bishop DiMarzio, we feel differently," mayoral spokesman Stu Loeser said. "We believe we're saving lives, and it's important to do that."
In an effort to promote the free city condoms, the Health Department dispatched dozens of workers to hand them out to rush-hour commuters at busy subway stations.
The Health Department had instructed the employees not to offer free condoms to minors, but The Post on Wednesday observed what appeared to be young teenagers taking handfuls of condoms.
Frieden said ramped-up condom distribution will boost safe sex, reducing HIV infection and unwanted pregnancies.
New York City leads the nation in HIV cases. In 2005, 1,400 city inhabitants died of AIDS, the third-leading killer for residents under 65, behind only cancer and heart disease.
"It will save lives and actually save money," Frieden said. He added that he believes young people should abstain from sex, but if they don't, they should use condoms.
"Not enough condoms are being used," he said.
Joseph Zwilling, a spokesman for Egan, said the condom-distribution policy was so sweeping that the cardinal and Bishop DiMarzio felt compelled to respond.
"They saw the reports and thought it was important to have their voices heard," he said.
The Health Department distributed 18 million free condoms last year through its health clinics and community groups.
What's new is that the city has its own "NYC CONDOM," made by LifeStyles and packaged in colors and lettering that look like subway-line letters.
The condoms also are being given out to more than 100 retailers, from Kenneth Cole stores to neighborhood barbershops and nail salons.
Frieden expects the buzz around the NYC brand will trigger a dramatic increase in condom use.
"We ordered 26 million condoms," Frieden said. "If we need more, we'll order more."
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,252391,00.html
