Did you see the Pope's anti−condom speech on his way to Africa? He said condoms could risk increasing the spread of AIDS. This goes against all the research and is a massive set back to years of prevention and education projects on a continent with 22 million men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS. Most recently, a major fundraiser for The Stephen Lewis Foundation was cancelled because of the Pope's statement.

The Mountain Movement is a strong supporter of condom use in the effort to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS, as it has been proven to do so. Please read the article below - and take action using one of the options listed at the end of this posting. We are saddened to hear this news, especially after visiting a Calgary high school just last week to talk about the campaign and the SLF.

Updated: Fri Mar. 27 2009 17:16:02

From: www.ctvcalgary.ca

Calgary Catholic teachers have cancelled a yearly fundraiser for AIDS relief in Africa.

The move comes after a parishioner questioned Bishop Fred Henry about the funds being raised for the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

"The main concern with the Stephen Lewis Foundation has been his position on birth control which is contrary to what the pope and the bishop have been teaching," says David Cracknell a spokesperson for the Calgary Catholic Teachers' Association.

Cracknell says the decision to cancel the fundraiser was a difficult one.

For the past four years, Calgary Catholic teachers have been raising money during lent to support the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

The organization supports women and children in Africa living with HIV/AIDS. It also supports the use of condoms.

Cracknell says once the bishop was approached he sent a letter encouraging the teachers' association to focus their efforts on other organizations.

Stephen Lewis says he finds the bishop's recommendations difficult to comprehend. He's harming grandmothers, he's harming women living with AIDS and all of them iving in Catholic dioceses, it just doesn't make sense," says Lewis.

Lewis says despite the bishop's suggestion to support other AIDS organizations, some Catholic teachers are still sending in private donations.

What Can You Do?

If you would like to donate to The Stephen Lewis Foundation through The Mountain Movement, please go here.

If you would like to sign a petition against the Pope, please go here.

The Mountain Movement is headed into Lord Beaverbrook High School in Calgary on March 18th to take part in their second annual CHANGE Day! The focus for this year is CHANGE Starts here: A Focus on Action. The aim is to help students find ways to positively contribute to their community through action-based sessions on racism, discrimination, and the environment. Last year's event included 1500 students, 100 teachers and 40 presenters from all over Alberta - all geared towards overcoming racism and discrimination in the school community.

We are so excited to take part in this event, and spread the message that you can take what you love to do - or the things you do anyways - and do them for a cause.