Sex and the Holy City
Broadcast: 11/11/2003
Reporter: Steve Bradshaw (BBC)
LEAD STORY
SERIES 13
EPISODE 20
Synopsis
In the West, many Catholics ignore the Church's teachings on sex. But in poorer countries - from where the next Pope may emerge - the words of the priest on sex still matter, whether spoken from the pulpit or to a government minister.
The Pope believes everyone - not just the world's billion Catholics - should follow the Vatican's teaching. And he's tried to make sure the world listens - becoming a key player in the bitter global debate over women's rights and reproductive health.
A team from the BBC’s Panorama program travelled across four continents to talk to those directly affected by the Pope's conservative teachings on sex.
They discovered that the Catholic Church - contrary to mainstream scientific opinion - is claiming that condoms have microscopic holes in them which allow the HIV virus through.
The World Health Organisation has condemned this view as dangerous.
Panorama also meets the pro-life mayor who has taken control of Manila City's health clinics, banning the Pill and condoms, and schoolgirls raped by their own father, yet obliged to carry his babies to term.
All on behalf of a Pope who once helped his predecessor Pope Paul VI to reject the Pill against the views of the Vatican's own advisors.
In this unique documentary, Steve Bradshaw investigates how the Pope who tried to act in the best interests of women came to be accused by his opponents of ruining so many lives. It’s also a fascinating behind the scenes glimpse of the Pope’s own past, as former friends and colleagues explain how he came to imagine the ideal society as one of ideal love and ideal marriage, no extra-marital sex, and no contraception.
- Transcript
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