Some 65% of priests who gave their views on the issue said they backed a recent statement by Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini that it should be acceptable for married Catholics to use condoms to prevent the spread of Aids, while 35% disagreed with the retired archbishop of Milan. The Sunday Tribune surveyed 125 priests across the country last week, half of whom were prepared to reveal their position on the issue.

"For those who are infected with Aids, up to now the Church has been saying to keep abstinent, but Monsignor Martini sees the human love of husband for wife as much more spiritual and precious. The relationship within marriage needs to be protected in the face of evil, and that evil is HIV, " said one Tipperary priest.

Cardinal Martini is known for his practical approach to Christianity, and was viewed as the liberal alternative to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger who went on to become Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.

Martini (79) made his comments last month in an interview with the Italian news weekly, L'Espresso. "We must do everything to fight Aids, " he said when asked how the church could continue opposing condom use as a means of halting the spread of HIV. "Certainly, the use of condoms can constitute in certain situations a lesser evil. There's also the unique situation of a married couple, one of whom is afflicted with Aids. That one is obliged to protect the other, and the other must be able to protect him or herself."

"I suppose it all boils down to a person's moral conscience, " said one Cork priest. "You must cater for your own sexual health at the end of the day and be mindful that you don't spread any unnecessary infections."

Another Cork priest said: "Don't talk to me about condoms, darling, it's offensive." Others sided with Pope Benedict. "The church is against the use of condoms and we must adhere to that. Sexual love might be one thing, but the love of the church is far more important, " said a Waterford priest.

Most of the priests who echoed Martini's statement wished to remain anonymous. "The notion of not using condoms is ludicrous, even from a Church point of view. I feel very strongly that it is not for a bunch of celibate men to decide on such an issue, " one Dublin priest said.

Some of those who agreed with Martini were pessimistic about whether his beliefs would hold any influence. "The church's stance on this needs to be reviewed, but change happens so slowly. I am just one voice.

Even if 300,000 priests said 'yes' to the use of condoms in this situation, Rome still wouldn't listen, " a Limerick priest said.

Forty million people worldwide are infected with HIV/Aids, 95% of whom live in developing countries.

Twenty million people have died from the virus. Sub-Saharan Africa is the worst affected region in the world, with 70% of people infected with HIV living there.