As a Catholic consumer there are some things that I have to be mindful of when spending my money. Am I being a good steward of God’s gifts, am I buying something that was made in a sweatshop, and another one often over looked what is my proximate participation in evil? Proximate participation in evil is when I support or involve myself in some action or choice that in turn causes me to sin . Well I encountered that decision today.

Starbucks has joined the (RED) movement to help fight the global aids epidemic. Don’t get me wrong, I totally and heartfully want to see the AIDS epidemic ended, but the (RED) intiative does their mission through the hands of the Global Fund. An health focused organization that fights AIDS/HIV as well as Malaria. Unfortunately the Global Fund supports the promotion of condom usage to end this epidemic. This is something that I can not as a Catholic of good conscience support. I know that five cents of my purchase will go directly to the support of promoting condom usage in Africa. It is difficult but I have to make an informed prayerful decision. I know this sounds pretty stupid considering they are “fighting a good cause”, but although the intentions are good their methods are not. There are much smarter and holier men than I debating the morality of condom usage in the fight against AIDS so I want join the lecture, but I know the Church’s stance now is that it is not morally permissible to use them.

I am interested to hear the comments and debates of those reading this blog. Know that I won’t blast you for having a different view than me, I am open to debate and clarification.

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