Catholic Church Criticises Condom Plans for Taxi Passengers

The Catholic Church in Scotland has criticised plans by a condom manufacturer to provide taxi drivers in Edinburgh with condoms to give out to couples for free on their way home after a night out.

|TOP|If the plans are approved by council officials, the Safe Ride scheme could be launched as early as January, reports the BBC.

The Family Planning Association (FPA) in Scotland has welcomed the scheme, also under consideration by Glasgow City Council, against the concerns of the Catholic Church.

FPA spokesman Tim Streets praised the plans: “I don’t really have a problem with people finding it a bit funny, at least at first.

“Let’s get the giggles out of the way,” he said. “We’re talking about protecting people’s health and getting them to see that, even after a night out on the town and maybe being inebriated, this is a serious issue.”

Edinburgh’s City Council’s licensing committee has been considering the initiative involving Festival City Cars, reports the BBC.

|QUOTE|Company manager David Coutts, said: “It seems sensible that the cabbies, if they’re asked by the passenger, would make such facilities available.

“I appreciate that some people might look upon this as being a bit humorous but it is a serious campaign.”

The Catholic Church in Scotland has raised serious concerns over the campaign, however.

“This will give the green light to casual sex,” cautioned Church spokesman Peter Kearney.

“It’s also very dangerous to suggest condoms absolutely prevent sexually transmitted infections as they don’t.”

The 5,000 free contraceptives have been distributed to the taxi firm, which has a fleet of 220 cars, by a US contraceptives company.

The Edinburgh scheme follows the launch of a similar scheme earlier this year in Brighton, supported by boxer Chris Eubank.