This week, on his first visit to Africa, Pope Benedict said that "[AIDS] cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems".

The Pope's statement is at odds with the research on AIDS prevention, and a setback to decades of hard work on AIDS education and awareness. With powerful moral influence over more than 1.1 billion Catholics in the world, and 22 million HIV positive Africans, these words could dramatically affect the AIDS pandemic and put millions of lives at risk. Worldwide concern is starting to show results and a willingness by the Vatican to revise the statement - sign our urgent petition asking the Pope to take care not to undermine proven AIDS prevention strategies:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/pope_benedic...

The personal beliefs of Catholics and all people should be respected, and the Pope does advocate for other AIDS prevention methods such as abstinence and fidelity that can be effective when combined with condom use. The Catholic Church engages in a vast amount of social service work, including the care of those living with AIDS. But the Pope's claim that condom distribution is not an effective AIDS prevention mechanism is not supported by research. It's untrue, and if it diminishes condom use, it will be deadly.

The fact is, HIV and AIDS are prevented by condom use. There is no easy solution to the spread of this tragic disease, but condoms and education are the best known prevention combination and have not been found to increase risky sexual behaviour. That is why even priests and nuns working in Africa have questioned the Pope's statements.

We may not be able to ask the Catholic Church to change its broader position, but we are asking the Pope to stop actively speaking out against prevention strategies that work. It's important that people of all beliefs, especially Catholics, call on the Pope to exercise care in his leadership on this issue. Sign below then spread the word to your friends and family - this petition could actually save lives:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/pope_benedic...

25 million people worldwide have already died of AIDS, and 12 million children have been left without parents. If enough of us join this outcry, we will win an important battle in the struggle for a world without AIDS.

With hope,

Ricken, Alice, Ben, Graziela, Iain, Brett, Paula, Pascal, Luis, Paul, Veronique, Milena and the whole Avaaz team

Sources:

The Pope's statement opposing condoms (BBC):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/79...

European governments criticise Pope Benedict for his statement
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/79...

Condoms 'aggravate' AIDS scourge, Pope says:
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/wor...

CNN Report on the Pope’s anti-condom position:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhxqv...

Vatican backtracking on condom statement:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/com...

Growth of the Catholic Church in Africa, see:
http://www.zenit.org/article-18894?l... and http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29777984/

South African Bishop supporting condom use:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29777984/

UNAIDS Report on the AIDS epidemic:
http://www.unaids.org/en/CountryResp...

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Musa’s Super Orientation Week is set to save the world and bring the Palmerston
North campus back to life! Unleashing in 2009 to run from Friday the 20th of
February to Sunday the 1st March, with a line up set to impress even the Mightiest
Super Heroes amongst us. Starring:

• An bellyful of loved, local bands delivering a full course of musical munchies
for the first night of Super O-Week: “The Stomach Mash-up”. Saturday the
21st featuring: THE NERINES, BLACK CHROME, THE KLEPTICS,
HALUCIAGEA, THE JUNKTION CREW and NUTELLA MONK.

• The “Naked Bus Hypnotist Night” - leaving you spellbound by GUY
CATER’S husky voice and Amazing Powers of Psychological Illusion.

• THE NAKED AND FAMOUS! – Headlining “The Summit Super Foga
Party” on Tuesday the 24th. Supported by NEW FRIEND, THE AVIATORS,
and THE TUTTS. Foam + Toga = FOGA!

• Top list comedians make “The Notorious Comics Tour” on Wednesday the
25th a night even your own alter ego would be proud of. Featuring: BEN
HURLEY, STEVE WRIGLEY and DAI HENWOOD.

• SKINNI MC & FAINT DJ, OAKLEY “OG” GRENNELL LIVE, and FREQ
NASTY combine Aotearoa’s finest to flex out sounds on Friday the 27th to
keep even the most rubbery Super Hero bouncing off the walls for “The
Bizarre Ball”.

• “Student City Welcome Day” invites the students into the heart of the city, on
Saturday the 28th. Featuring: “MUSA Market Day in the Square”, and Live
NZ music starting in the afternoon: KATCHAFIRE, CORNERSTONE
ROOTS, THE HERBS UNPLUGGED and, the NZCAN Emerging Artist of
the Year - THE THOMAS OLIVER BAND.

• Sunday also sees a chillaxed session in the form of “The Super Hangi”. This
time at the Esplanade, relaxing on the grass to the summery sounds of THE
ILLYSPILLAZ LIVE, and THE HARBOUR CITY ELECTRIC - not to
mention traditional hangis from Rangi.

And did we mention the MUSA Post O-Week teaser? THE MINISTRY OF SOUND
and BASS CULTURE DJ’s on the 4th of March, Massey Events Centre. Stay tuned to
Control 99.4fm for updates.

Individual tickets are available at all gigs, or you can purchase a passport, costing $60
(with current student ID), which gives you entry to everything Super. Both are
available from Mango Music and the MUSA Reception, and all details can be found
online at: musa.org.nz, on air with: Control 99.4fm and inside the leaves of your local
Chaff newspaper.

For further details and/or if you want to volunteer contact
Eli Johnston – MUSA Events Manager
events@musa.org.nz - 063504510

Level 1. Preconventional Morality

* Stage 1 - Obedience and Punishment
o The earliest stage of moral development is especially common in young children, but adults are capable of expressing this type of reasoning. At this stage, children see rules as fixed and absolute. Obeying the rules is important because it is a means to avoid punishment.

* Stage 2 - Individualism and Exchange
o At this stage of moral development, children account for individual points of view and judge actions based on how they serve individual needs. In the Heinz dilemma, children argued that the best course of action was whichever best-served Heinz’s needs. Reciprocity is possible, but only if it serves one's own interests.

Level 2. Conventional Morality

* Stage 3 - Interpersonal Relationships
o Often referred to as the "good boy-good girl" orientation, this stage of moral development is focused on living up to social expectations and roles. There is an emphasis on conformity, being "nice," and consideration of how choices influence relationships.

* Stage 4 - Maintaining Social Order
o At this stage of moral development, people begin to consider society as a whole when making judgments. The focus is on maintaining law and order by following the rules, doing one’s duty, and respecting authority.

Level 3. Postconventional Morality

* Stage 5 - Social Contract and Individual Rights
o At this stage, people begin to account for the differing values, opinions, and beliefs of other people. Rules of law are important for maintaining a society, but members of the society should agree upon these standards.

* Stage 6 - Universal Principles
o Kolhberg’s final level of moral reasoning is based upon universal ethical principles and abstract reasoning. At this stage, people follow these internalized principles of justice, even if they conflict with laws and rules.