The Southern African Bishops Conference also described condoms as "an immoral and misguided weapon" in the fight against HIV, arguing that condom use could even encourage the spread of HIV by promoting extramarital sex. For his stance on this matter, the Utne Reader, a United States magazine that provides "alternative coverage of politics, culture, and new ideas", named Dowling one of its "50 Visionaries Who Are Changing the World".
The Southern African Bishops Conference also labeled condoms as "an immoral and misguided strategy" in the battle against HIV/AIDS, suggesting that condom use could even contribute to the spread of the disease by promoting non-traditional relationships. As a result, the Utne Reader acknowledged Dowling's stance on this issue and named him one of its "50 Visionaries Who Are Changing the World".