Catholic sensation Pope eases the ban on contraception for Zika virus

Catholic leader loosens contraception for Zika virus
To protect against the Zika virus, Pope Francis no longer strictly excluded artificial contraceptives. However, according to the news agency "dpa", he resolutely rejects abortion in response to a Zika infection. Because this is "a crime, it is the absolute evil," said the head of the Catholic Church.
Virus is spreading more and more
For months, the dangerous Zika virus has been spreading in several Central and South American countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has even declared a global health emergency. In individual cases, the pathogen is brought by travelers in other regions of the world, in Germany so far 20 cases of Zika infections have become known.

Pope relaxes ban on contraception. Picture: elenabsl - fotolia

The Zika virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, as well as a transmission of the virus through sexual intercourse is possible. Accordingly, contraception can be an important protective measure here. Apparently, the Pope sees this, because as the "dpa" reports, this has no longer strictly ruled out artificial contraceptives in the face of threats such as the Zika virus. According to Vatican, Pope Francis expressed his views on the return flight from Mexico to Rome in some cases as "contraceptive". In the teachings of the Catholic Church, artificial contraception is normally strictly prohibited. There are, however, exceptions to the use of contraceptives such as the pill, when used as therapeutic measures to cure bodily diseases, e.g. Acne are necessary.

Abortion is still vehemently rejected
According to the Pope, contraception is "not absolutely bad", but abortion as a result of Zika infection is decidedly opposed to the head of the Catholic Church. Because "abortion is not the lesser evil, it is a crime," said Pope Francis, according to the news agency. An abortion is "the absolute evil," added the Argentine, whose real name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

Increased abortions by Zika in Brazil
The Zika virus is not fatal and leads according to health experts only in about 20 percent of infected people to flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle and joint pain. However, the pathogen is suspected of causing neonatal cranial deformity when a woman becomes infected during pregnancy. In this so-called "microcephaly", children are born with an unusually small head, which can result in brain malformations and mental disabilities. This correlation has not been proven so far, but according to the experts, the assumption has already led to increased abortions in Brazil, the country most seriously affected, according to the dpa. (No)