Click
link below or scroll down to view all:
Think
Contraception is "No Big Deal"?
What
Does Scripture Say About Procreation / Contraception?
What
is the Primary End of Marriage?
Is
Contraception Sinful? / Why Does the Church Forbid Contraception?
What
Are Some Benefits Enjoyed by Those Who Do Not Use Contraception?
Will
the Church Ever Change Her Position on Contraception?
What
Should One Do Who Has Been Contracepting?
What
Alternatives to Contraception Are Available?
Is
NFP Approved by the Church? What are its Risks?
Other
Considerations
Also
Try...
Think contraception is
"no big deal"? Think again! Contraception...
-
Is gravely sinful
-
Is bad for one's
health
-
Acts
as an abortifacient (that is, it causes abortions - unknown to the
woman)
-
Is linked to
promiscuity, abortion, adultery, etc.
Consider the following:
-
"More
children are killed by chemical abortifacient than by surgical
abortions each year (an estimated 7-12 million vs. an estimated 1.5
million)." In other words, more children are killed by contraception than
by surgical abortions!
-
Birth
control actually acts as an abortifacient (even unknowingly) - that
means that the contraceptives cause the death of a baby, even though
a woman never knew she was pregnant. "It has been estimated
by various sources that ... [birth control's abortifacient] mechanism
of action comes into play anywhere from 2 to 10% (and at times
higher) of female cycles per year." Many who use birth control
may have had abortions without ever knowing they were pregnant. "If
you use contraception, you may have aborted an unknown number of
children, even though you never knew you were pregnant". While many think that they cannot become pregnant while using
birth control, the truth is that ovulation may still occur while
using contraceptives - which means the woman can get pregnant.
Usually, however, the contraceptives act as an abortifacient, and
kill the unborn child without the mother knowing she has even
conceived. That is, the "birth control" may prevent birth,
but not conception. Conception still occurs, but the child is "spontaneously
aborted" by the contraceptives. These "non surgical
abortions" have killed millions of children.
-
"The
potent steroids in
OCs [Oral Contraceptives] affect all vital organs of the OC user to
one degree or another." Contraceptives
affect a woman's reproductive system and may be dangerous to her
health:
-
"Birth
control may cause increased risk of breast cancer, increased risk
of cervical cancer, increased risk of blood clots, increased risk of
heart attack, and increased risk of stroke. Possible side effects
of contraceptives may include: impaired kidney function, bladder
infections, cataracts, loss of hair on scalp, excess body hair, pain, weight gain, high cholesterol, headaches, tumors,
insulin problems, problems with breast milk, eye changes, water
retention, liver tumors, rashes, cramps, vomiting, bleeding,
infections, perforation of the uterus, eptopic
pregnancy, septic shock, and even death."
-
"[Other
conditions which may be related to the use of (or worsened by) oral contraceptives
include:] thromboembolism, coronary artery disease,
cerebrovascular disease, hepatic adenomas, gall bladder disease,
cholestatic jaundice, cancer (including breast and cervical),
endometriosis, hypercalcemia, porphyria, uterine fibroids,
migraines, headache, cycle irregularities, and mental
depression". One major news agency has even reported that
"blood clots are an accepted risk from hormonal birth
control because estrogen promotes blood coagulation"
(emphasis added).
-
"Of
the multitude of side effects noted over almost 40 years of
experience with OCs [oral contraceptives], five very serious risks
are associated with OC use: increased incidence of sexually
transmitted diseases; pelvic inflammatory disease; infertility;
cervical and breast cancer; and eptopic pregnancy. There are also
well known dangers of endometrial atrophy (shrinking of the womb)
and permanent sterility." Women have also died of blood clots
due to the use of OCs.
-
"Birth
control tricks the body into thinking it is pregnant all the time,
month after month, year after year. How can this possibly be good
for the body?"
-
"Contraceptive
drugs have been associated with at least hundreds and hundreds of
deaths". Deaths have occurred among women who have used oral
contraceptives as well as those who have used the birth control
patch.
-
"IUDs
may be abortifacient almost 100% of the time and may put you at great
risk for serious adverse effects"
-
"There
are strong links between abortion and contraception. It has been
said that every culture that has permitted
contraception as subsequently seen a rise in abortion."
-
"Even
large providers of abortions admit that the increased use of contraception
is associated with increased promiscuity, venereal disease,
unplanned pregnancies, and abortions." As
indicated by U.S. Catholic Bishops: "It is noteworthy
that as acceptance and use of contraception have increased in our
society, so have acceptance and use of abortion. Couples who
unintentionally conceive a child while using contraception are far
more likely to resort to abortion than others. Tragically, our
society has fallen into a mentality that views children as a burden
and invites many to consider abortion as a 'backup' to contraceptive
failure."
-
Contraceptives
are big business. However, it is argued that "Information
on risks of OCs has not been fully reported to US citizens.
Information given has been deceptive and misleading". It is argued that women would stop using contraceptives if
they really knew what was happening inside (and to) their body due
to their use of contraceptives (e.g. medical risks, spontaneous
abortions).
-
Having
intimate relations while using a condoms is touted as "safe
sex". In reality, condoms are reported to have a failure rate
as high as 30% and may not protect from venereal diseases or AIDS. This is not even to mention the fact that they are
directly linked to fornication - and thus may result in the loss of
one's eternal soul. So called "safe sex" - besides not being
"safe for soul ["Do you not know that the unjust will not
inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither
fornicators...nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor practicing
homosexuals...will inherit the kingdom of God." (St. Paul, 1 Cor. 6:9-10)] is clearly not safe for the body. As has been reported, an
FDA study showed that condoms had a detectable leakage of HIV sized
particles in about 1/3 of the cases. Over a period of years, an
infection rate of 70% has been reported.
-
When
a baby survives - despite its mother's use of contraceptives - it
may suffer from serious health problems. Further, breastfed babies
whose mothers have used contraceptives may suffer from adverse
affects, including serious ones.
-
The
'legalization' of birth control has led governments to either
implement or consider implementation of coerced sterilization or
birth control. And, research for so called "birth
control vaccines" was done on human embryos.
-
Promiscuity
and the "explosion of STDs" (sexually transmitted
diseases) may be linked to the use of birth control. It has been
reported that the most common STD may be found in 48% of women who
have had one intimate partner - and this STD is said to cause
more than 90% of all cases of cervical cancer. In fact, a single
intimate encounter may damage you for the rest of your life. As
many as 1 in 4 teenagers in 1996 were reported has having STDs. Many
of the STDs are incurable. And again, this is not even to mention
the fact that they are directly linked to fornication - and thus may
result in the loss of one's eternal soul ["Do you not know
that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be
deceived; neither fornicators...nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes
nor practicing homosexuals...will inherit the kingdom of God."
(St. Paul, 1 Cor. 6:9-10)].
-
Etc.
Scripture
is clear about praising creation / fertility and condemning
contraception. For example:
-
The
very first command given by God to the human race was God's command
to Adam and Eve to go forth &
multiply: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue
it." (Gen. 1:28)
-
After
the flood, God twice commanded to multiply: "Be fertile and
multiply and fill the earth." (Gen. 9:1) and "Be fertile,
then, and multiply; abound on earth and subdue it." (Gen 9:7)
-
When
Onan wasted his seed on the ground, he was killed (cf. Gen.
38:9-10). Note: Onan could have refused to unite with his
brother's widow. Therefore, it is clear that his contraceptive
act was condemned.
-
In
Scripture, fertility is often shown as a blessing (e.g. Gen. 17:6,
17:20, 28:3, 35:11, 48:4, Ex. 23:25-26,
Deut. 7:14)
Scripture
also praises children and speaks negatively of barrenness:
-
"Like
a fruitful vine your wife within your home, Like olive plants your
children around your table." (Ps. 128:3)
-
"Children
too are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb, a reward. Like
arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children born in one's
youth. Blessed are they whose quivers are full. They will never be
shamed contending with foes at the gate." (Ps. 127:3-5)
-
Barren
women in Scripture considered it a reproach or disgrace (e.g. Hannah,
Rachel, Elizabeth) and fathers worry over their daughter's sterility
(cf. Sirach 42:10).
Jesus
also looks favorably on children:
-
Jesus
said: "And whoever receives one child such as this in my name
receives me." (Mt. 18:5)
-
Jesus
said: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the
face of my heavenly Father." (Mt. 18:10)
-
"And
[Jesus] took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he
had taken him in his arms, he said to them, Whoever shall receive
one of such children in my name, receives me: and whoever shall
receive me, receives not me, but him that sent me." (Mk. 9:36-37)
-
Jesus
said: "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for
the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Mk. 10:14)
-
Jesus
said: "Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for
the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Lk. 18:16)
Note:
Of course, Scripture praises fertility only in the bonds of holy
matrimony. Intimate relations outside of marriage are gravely sinful and
may result in the loss of one's eternal soul: "Do you not know that
the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived;
neither fornicators...nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor practicing
homosexuals...will inherit the kingdom of God." (St. Paul, 1 Cor.
6:9-10)
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Pope John Paul II, 1995:
"In the Old Testament, sterility is dreaded
as a curse, while numerous offspring are viewed as a blessing: 'Sons are
a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward' (Ps. 127:3; cf.
Ps. 128:3-4). This belief is also based on Israel's awareness of being
the people of the Covenant, called to increase in accordance with the
promise made to Abraham: 'Look towards heaven, and number the stars, if
you are able to number them ... so shall your descendants be' (Gen.
15:5). But more than anything else, at work here is the certainty that
the life which parents transmit has its origins in God. We see this
attested in the many biblical passages which respectfully and lovingly
speak of conception, of the forming of life in the mother's womb, of
giving birth and of the intimate connection between the initial moment
of life and the action of God the Creator. 'Before I formed you in the
womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you' (Jer. 1:5):
the life of every individual, from its very beginning, is part of God's
plan. Job, from the depth of his pain, stops to contemplate the work of
God who miraculously formed his body in his mother's womb. Here he finds
reason for trust, and he expresses his belief that there is a divine
plan for his life: 'You have fashioned and made me; will you then turn
and destroy me? Remember that you have made me of clay; and will you
turn me to dust again? Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me
like cheese? You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together
with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love; and
your care has preserved my spirit' (Job 10:8-12). Expressions of awe and
wonder at God's intervention in the life of a child in its mother's womb
occur again and again in the Psalms."
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As stated in the 1917 Code of Canon Law: "Can. 1013 §
1 The primary end of marriage is the procreation and education of
children; the secondary [end] is mutual support and a remedy for
concupiscence."
This traditional
teaching of the Church was reiterated under Pope Pius XII in the
following Decree of the Holy Office (4/1/1944): "Certain
publications concerning the purposes of matrimony, and their
interrelationship and order, have come forth within these last years
which either assert that the primary purpose of matrimony is not the
generation of offspring, or that the secondary purposes are not
subordinate to the primary purpose, but are independent of it. In these
works different primary purposes of marriage are designated by other
writers, as for example: the complement and personal perfection of the
spouses through a complete mutual participation in life and action;
mutual love and union of spouses to be nurtured and perfected by the
psychic and bodily surrender of one's own person; and many other such
things. In the same writings a sense is sometimes attributed to words in
the current documents of the Church (as for example, primary, secondary
purpose), which does not agree with these words according to the common
usage by theologians. This revolutionary way of thinking and speaking
aims to foster errors and uncertainties, to avoid which the Most Eminent
and Very Reverend Fathers of this supreme Sacred Congregation, charged
with the guarding of matters of faith and morals, in a plenary session,
on Wednesday, the 28th of March, 1944, when the question was proposed to
them 'Whether the opinion of certain recent persons can be admitted, who
either deny that the primary purpose of matrimony is the generation and
raising of offspring, or teach that the secondary purposes are not
essentially subordinate to the primary purpose, but are equally first
and independent,' have decreed that the answer must be: In the
negative."
Pope Paul VI also
confirmed that marriage is, by nature, ordained toward the begetting and
education of children: "And finally this love is fecund for it
is not exhausted by the communion between husband and wife, but is
destined to continue, raising up new lives. 'Marriage and conjugal love
are by their nature ordained toward the begetting and educating of
children. Children are really the supreme gift of marriage and
contribute very substantially to the welfare of their parents.'"
Click
Here for 'Marriage' Reflections
Contraception is a grave
sin and is therefore forbidden by the Church:
-
"Even
with a lawful wife, the marriage act is unlawful and shameful if the
conception of offspring is prevented. That is what Onan, the son of
Juda, did and on that account God put him to death." (St.
Augustine, Doctor of the Church, 5th century A.D.)
-
"For
since the bringing of children into the world is the principal end
of marriage, to do anything in order to prevent the accomplishment
of this end is always a mortal sin." (St. Francis de Sales,
Doctor of the Church)
-
"[A]s
often as he knows his wife without a desire for children...without a
doubt he commits sin" (St. Caesar of Arles, c. 540 A.D.)
-
"[A]ny
use whatsoever of matrimony exercised in such a way that the act is
deliberately frustrated in its natural power to generate life is an
offense against the law of God and of nature, and those who indulge
in such are branded with the guilt of a grave sin." (Pope Pius
XI, Casti Connubii)
-
"Nuptial
commerce, which is so holy, just and commendable in itself, and so
profitable to the commonwealth, is, nevertheless, in certain cases
dangerous to those that exercise it, as when the order appointed for
the procreation of children is violated and perverted; in which
case, according as one departs more or less from it, the sins are
more or less abominable, but always mortal." (St. Francis de
Sales, Doctor of the Church)
-
"But
no reason, however grave, may be put forward by which anything
intrinsically against nature may become conformable to nature and
morally good. Since, therefore, the conjugal act is destined
primarily by nature for the begetting of children, those who in
exercising it deliberately frustrate its natural power and purpose
sin against nature and commit a deed which is shameful and
intrinsically vicious. Small wonder, therefore, if Holy Writ bears
witness that the Divine Majesty regards with greatest detestation
this horrible crime and at times has punished it with death. As St.
Augustine notes, 'Intercourse even with one's legitimate wife is
unlawful and wicked where the conception of the offspring is
prevented. Onan, the son of Juda, did this and the Lord killed him
for it.'" (Pope Pius XI, "Casti Connubii", 1930 A.D.)
Until the 20th century,
all so called 'Christian' denominations held that contraception was
immoral. Nowadays, the Catholic Church, the "the pillar and foundation of
truth" (1 Tm. 3:15) stands nearly alone in condemning contraception
as a grave sin. This is because she is divinely guided and protected.
Despite mockery and pressure from those outside the Church (and, sadly,
even from within), she has not changed (and will not change) her
position that contraception is gravely sinful.
In support of her
teachings, it is clear that:
-
God
is displeased with contraception (see Scripture above).
-
"Contraception
is rather like bulimia. One enjoys the pleasure the action affords,
but takes measures to prohibit the natural consequences."
-
"Contraception
is a rejection of a woman's fertility and motherhood. It reduces her
to an object of personal pleasure". As St. Thomas Aquinas has
stated: "A man seeks wanton pleasure in his wife when he sees
no more in her that he would in a wanton."
-
Contraception
places man's desires over the will of God.
-
Contraception
frustrates the end of the marital act: the very act was designed for
the purpose of procreation.
-
Contraception is contrary
to natural law. "Artificial birth control is contrary to the
natural law because it is a frustration of the proper end of the
[marital act], which is procreation. Physical expression or consummation
of love, the sealing and
increase of affection by the mutual enjoyment of one of another, are
also objects of the act, but only proximate objects. To pursue such is
good; but at the same time deliberately to avoid the ultimate end of the
act, for the due attainment of which the proximate objects were ordained
as a means, is unnatural, contrary to right reason, conduct unbecoming
rational beings, and so morally wrong." (Catholic Dictionary)
-
Contraception
shows a contempt for the laws of God.
-
Contraception
shows a distrust for God's Providence.
-
"Contraception
deigns to prevent God from continuing His acts of Creation"
-
Contraception
contradicts God's will. "Likewise, if they consider the matter,
they must admit that an act of mutual love, which is detrimental to
the faculty of propagating life, which God the Creator of all, has
implanted in it according to special laws, is in contradiction to
both the divine plan, according to whose norm matrimony has been
instituted, and the will of the Author of human life. To use this
divine gift destroying, even if only partially, its meaning and its
purpose is to contradict the nature both of man and of woman and of
their most intimate relationship, and therefore it is to contradict
also the plan of God and His will." (Pope Paul VI)
-
Contraception
is a rejection of Christ: "[R]ejection of human life, in
whatever form that rejection takes, is really a rejection of Christ.
This is the fascinating but also demanding truth which Christ
reveals to us and which his Church continues untiringly to proclaim:
'Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me' (Mt 18:5);
'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my
brethren, you did it to me' (Mt 25:40)." (Pope John Paul II,
1995)
-
Contraception
rejects self-giving and results in selfishness.
-
"Contraception
devalues women as mothers and instead induces society to look upon
them as 'units of production'... Contraception has directly led to
the large percentage of women in the workforce who have abandoned
their children for hours on end to perform 'work for hire'."
-
Contraception
leads to the destruction of the family.
-
Contraception
has led to a "under-population crisis" (click
here)
-
Contraception
is dangerous to a woman's health (see above).
-
Contraception
leads to promiscuity, acts of fornication, adultery, etc.
-
Contraception
is an abortifacient and also leads to more abortions (see above).
-
Contraception
lowers morality.
-
Contraception
hurts society.
In fact,
Pope Paul VI's warnings concerning artificial birth control were quite
prophetic: "Upright men can even better convince themselves of the
solid grounds on which the teaching of the Church in this field is
based, if they care to reflect upon the consequences of methods of
artificial birth control. Let them consider, first of all, how wide and
easy a road would thus be opened up towards conjugal infidelity and the
general lowering of morality. Not much experience is needed in order to
know human weakness, and to understand that men - especially the young,
who are so vulnerable on this point - have need of encouragement to be
faithful to the moral law, so that they must not be offered some easy
means of eluding its observance. It is also to be feared that the man,
growing used to the employment of anti-conceptive practices, may finally
lose respect for the woman and, no longer caring for her physical and
psychological equilibrium, may come to the point of considering her as a
mere instrument of selfish enjoyment, and no longer as his respected and
beloved companion. Let it be considered also that a dangerous weapon
would thus be placed in the hands of those public authorities who take
no heed of moral exigencies. Who could blame a government for applying
to the solution of the problems of the community those means
acknowledged to be licit for married couples in the solution of a family
problem? Who will stop rulers from favoring, from even imposing upon
their peoples, if they were to consider it necessary, the method of
contraception which they judge to be most efficacious? In such a way
men, wishing to avoid individual, family, or social difficulties
encountered in the observance of the divine law, would reach the point
of placing at the mercy of the intervention of public authorities the
most personal and most reserved sector of conjugal intimacy." (Pope
Paul VI, 1968)
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Pope Pius XI, "Casti
Connubii", Dec. 31, 1930 A.D.:
"First
consideration is due to the offspring, which many have the boldness to
call the disagreeable burden of matrimony and which they say is to be
carefully avoided by married people not through virtuous continence
(which Christian law permits in matrimony when both parties consent) but
by frustrating the marriage act. Some justify this criminal abuse on the
ground that they are weary of children and wish to gratify their desires
without their consequent burden. Others say that they cannot on the one
hand remain continent nor on the other can they have children because of
the difficulties whether on the part of the mother or on the part of
family circumstances. But no reason, however grave, may be put forward
by which anything intrinsically against nature may become conformable to
nature and morally good. Since, therefore, the conjugal act is destined
primarily by nature for the begetting of children, those who in
exercising it deliberately frustrate its natural power and purpose sin
against nature and commit a deed which is shameful and intrinsically
vicious. Small wonder, therefore, if Holy Writ bears witness that the
Divine Majesty regards with greatest detestation this horrible crime and
at times has punished it with death. As St. Augustine notes,
'Intercourse even with one's legitimate wife is unlawful and wicked
where the conception of the offspring is prevented. Onan, the son of
Juda, did this and the Lord killed him for it.' Since, therefore, openly
departing from the uninterrupted Christian tradition some recently have
judged it possible solemnly to declare another doctrine regarding this
question, the Catholic Church, to whom God has entrusted the defense of
the integrity and purity of morals, standing erect in the midst of the
moral ruin which surrounds her, in order that she may preserve the
chastity of the nuptial union from being defiled by this foul stain,
raises her voice in token of her divine ambassadorship and through Our
mouth proclaims anew: any use whatsoever of matrimony exercised in such
a way that the act is deliberately frustrated in its natural power to
generate life is an offense against the law of God and of nature, and
those who indulge in such are branded with the guilt of a grave sin."
Pope
Paul VI, 1968:
"[W]e must once again declare that the direct
interruption of the generative process already begun, and, above all,
directly willed and procured abortion, even if for therapeutic reasons,
are to be absolutely excluded as licit means of regulating birth.
Equally to be excluded, as the teaching authority of the Church has
frequently declared, is direct sterilization, whether perpetual or
temporary, whether of the man or of the woman. Similarly excluded is
every action which, either in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in
its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences,
proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation
impossible. To justify conjugal acts made intentionally infecund, one
cannot invoke as valid reasons the lesser evil, or the fact that such
acts would constitute a whole together with the fecund acts already
performed or to follow later, and hence would share in one and the same
moral goodness. In truth, if it is sometimes licit to tolerate a lesser
evil in order to avoid a greater evil or to promote a greater good, it
is not licit, even for the gravest reasons, to do evil so that good may
follow therefrom; that is, to make into the object of a positive act of
the will something which is intrinsically disordered, and hence unworthy
of the human person, even when the intention is to safeguard or promote
individual, family or social well-being. Consequently it is an error to
think that a conjugal act which is deliberately made infecund and so is
intrinsically dishonest could be made honest and right by the ensemble
of a fecund conjugal life."
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Married couples who do
not use contraception enjoy many benefits, including:
-
Better
& stronger marriages
-
Better
family life
-
Better
health
-
Living
in a manner pleasing to God
-
More
respect from each other
-
Ability
to receive the sacraments
-
Increased
trust in God
-
Better
values
-
More children
-
Eternal
rewards
Faithful Catholics
following the Church's teachings on contraception behave in a manner
pleasing to God. They recognize children as a gift and as their most
important task in life. "As a gift and a commitment, children are
[a parent's] most important task...Children are more important than
work, entertainment and social position." (Pontifical Council for
the Family) As Scripture reminds us, "All man's works will perish
in decay" (Sirach 14:19). What will not perish, however, are works
of God - the eternal souls of their children. Parents are primarily
called to beget and educate their children to worship and love God and
to spend eternity with Him. Those who have large families tend to
appreciate their awesome responsibility, whereas those with few children
tend to subordinate parenting to work and other activities. Mothers with
many children generally stay home and raise their children, and even homeschool them - so necessary in this confused age. They are
surrounded by "innocent little ones" and dedicate themselves
to their husband and children and generally enjoy a warm and loving
home. In contrast, those who contracept may tend to be distracted by
dual careers, excessively busy,
and neglectful (they simply may not have time for their children or
spouses). They may be surrounded by all sorts of occasions of sin
(immodesty, pressure to lie or engage in unethical behavior, etc.). Their
few children may be raised by strangers and educated in schools divorced
from the faith (or teaching a corrupted form of the faith). Such parents
often seek divorces and family life may be unstable. Faithful Catholics
who diligently follow the Church's teaching on contraception, by comparison,
are said to have a "virtual 0% divorce rate".
Faithful Catholics who
follow the Church's teaching against artificial birth-control are also
spared various other sufferings. For example, they
avoid the many negative health effects associated with contraceptives (see
above). They are also not barred from receiving the Holy
Eucharist (whereas those who use contraception may not licitly receive the Holy
Eucharist since they remain in a state of grave sin). They are not constantly
risking their eternal salvation by engaging in gravely sinful behavior (as
those who use contraception do). When children come, they put their trust in God and deepen
their faith in the Almighty. They also see new life not as a burden, but
as a joy and a blessing from God. Siblings also learn the value of life
and enjoy God's blessings on their family. And, rather than face their
old age alone, they may be surrounded by many loving children and
grandchildren. In short, they live a better life on earth and nourish,
rather than jeopardize, their eternal salvation.
Also
See: Marriage
(Reflections), Parenting
(Reflections),
Homeschooling
(Reflections)
The Church's position
against contraception was not invented by men, but is based on the laws
of God. And certainly, the Church has no power to change divine law. As
Pope Leo XIII said: "To take away from man the natural and primeval
right of marriage, to circumscribe in any way the principal ends of
marriage laid down in the beginning by God Himself in the words
'Increase and multiply' (Gen. 1:28), is beyond the power of any human
law." (As quoted by Pope
Pius XI in "Casti Connubii", 1930 A.D.)
As Pope Pius
XI said: "But no reason, however grave, may be put forward by which
anything intrinsically against nature may become conformable to nature
and morally good. Since, therefore, the conjugal act is destined
primarily by nature for the begetting of children, those who in
exercising it deliberately frustrate its natural power and purpose sin
against nature and commit a deed which is shameful and intrinsically
vicious. Small wonder, therefore, if Holy Writ bears witness that the
Divine Majesty regards with greatest detestation this horrible crime and
at times has punished it with death. As St. Augustine notes,
'Intercourse even with one's legitimate wife is unlawful and wicked
where the conception of the offspring is prevented. Onan, the son of
Juda, did this and the Lord killed him for it.'" (Pope Pius XI,
"Casti Connubii", 1930 A.D.)
And:
"Since, therefore, openly departing from the uninterrupted
Christian tradition some recently have judged it possible solemnly to
declare another doctrine regarding this question, the Catholic Church,
to whom God has entrusted the defense of the integrity and purity of
morals, standing erect in the midst of the moral ruin which surrounds
her, in order that she may preserve the chastity of the nuptial union
from being defiled by this foul stain, raises her voice in token of her
divine ambassadorship and through Our mouth proclaims anew: any use
whatsoever of matrimony exercised in such a way that the act is
deliberately frustrated in its natural power to generate life is an
offense against the law of God and of nature, and those who indulge in
such are branded with the guilt of a grave sin." (Pope Pius XI,
"Casti Connubii", 1930 A.D.)
The church's Canon
Law has stated that procreation is the primary purpose of marriage and
Pope Paul VI, in the 1960's,
confirmed that the constant doctrine of the Church teaches "that
each and every marriage act (quilibet matrimonii usus) must remain open
to the transmission of life". Although the teaching may be
unpopular with some, the Church has no power to change divine law:
"It can be foreseen that this teaching [against artificial
contraception] will perhaps not be easily received by all: Too numerous
are those voices - amplified by the modern means of propaganda - which
are contrary to the voice of the Church. To tell the truth, the Church
is not surprised to be made, like her divine Founder, a 'sign of
contradiction', yet she does not because of this cease to proclaim with
humble firmness the entire moral law, both natural and evangelical. Of
such laws the Church was not the author, nor consequently can she be
their arbiter; she is only their depositary and their interpreter,
without ever being able to declare to be licit that which is not so by
reason of its intimate and unchangeable opposition to the true good of
man." (Pope Paul VI)
One must always remember
that being a disciple of Christ is not a matter of convenience, but may require
great sacrifice, and even martyrdom. Christians may not choose whatever
"lifestyle" they desire, offending God in the process, and still
expect salvation. And certainly, the Church - "the pillar and
foundation of truth" (1 Tm. 3:15) - may not change her perennial
teachings based on the divine law simply to please "modern
man". Rather, her job is to lead the faithful to heaven in
accordance with God's laws.
If you have been contracepting,
you must stop! Regardless of the method,
it is a grave sin before God. You offend God, risk your soul, and
possibly damage your health. Additionally, by using contraception, you
risk killing a child in the womb each cycle! You must stop right away!
And, in
addition to stopping, you (and your spouse) must repent and get to
confession as soon as possible. Do
not attempt to justify your actions. Regardless of what anyone may try
to tell
you (even, sadly, some priests), contraception is a grave sin. [Reminder:
We are not qualified to give - or intending to give - medical advice.
For medical advice, consult a good physician. Regarding cases where
contraceptives are used in the treatment a legitimate medical condition,
consult a good, holy priest for spiritual advice.]
Don't try to excuse yourself
due to particular difficulties in your life. As Pope Pius XI has said:
"We are deeply touched by the sufferings of those parents who, in
extreme want, experience great difficulty in rearing their children.
However, they should take care lest the calamitous state of their
external affairs should be the occasion for a much more calamitous
error. No difficulty can arise that justifies the putting aside of the
law of God which forbids all acts intrinsically evil. There is no
possible circumstance in which husband and wife cannot, strengthened by
the grace of God, fulfill faithfully their duties and preserve in
wedlock their chastity unspotted. This truth of Christian Faith is
expressed by the teaching of the Council of Trent. 'Let no one be so
rash as to assert that which the Fathers of the Council have placed
under anathema, namely, that there are precepts of God impossible for
the just to observe. God does not ask the impossible, but by His
commands, instructs you to do what you are able, to pray for what you
are not able that He may help you.'" (Pope Pius XI, "Casti
Connubii", 1930 A.D.)
Pope Paul VI also advises:
"We do not at all intend to hide the sometimes serious difficulties
inherent in the life of Christian married persons; for them as for
everyone else, 'the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to
life.' But the hope of that life must illuminate their way, as with
courage they strive to live with wisdom, justice and piety in this
present time, knowing that the figure of this world passes away. Let
married couples, then, face up to the efforts needed, supported by the
faith and hope which 'do not disappoint...because God's love has been
poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to
Us'; let them implore divine assistance by persevering prayer; above
all, let them draw from the source of grace and charity in the
Eucharist."
Furthermore, remember that
your past actions may have caused scandal to others or helped induce
others to also contracept. To help mitigate the damage of your actions,
consider discussing the matter with/educating others on the sinfulness of
contraception, fasting, praying, joining appropriate pro-life groups, etc. If you have
participated in the advising or prescribing of contraceptives, or have otherwise
facilitated the use of contraceptives, consider additional ways of
making reparation and mitigating the damage (in addition to your
repentance and sacramental Confession).
Note:
Of course, those who are contracepting because they are committing
fornication or adultery must immediately stop committing these grievous
sins! Intimate acts are only proper in the bonds of holy matrimony.
Intimate relations outside of marriage are gravely sinful and may result
in the loss of one's eternal soul: "Do you not know that the unjust
will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither
fornicators...nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor practicing
homosexuals...will inherit the kingdom of God." (St. Paul, 1 Cor.
6:9-10)
Reminder:
We are not qualified to give - or intending to give - medical advice.
For medical advice, consult a good physician. Regarding cases where
contraceptives are used in the treatment a legitimate medical condition,
consult a good, holy priest for spiritual advice. As indicated, we are
not liable for any occurrence which may result from using this site. By
using this site you agree to all terms. For more terms information,
click here.
The Church's only approved
method for "birth control" is abstinence. As stated by St.
Robert Bellarmine, Doctor of the Church: "But if it sometimes
happens that married people should be oppressed with the number of their
children, whom, through poverty, they cannot easily support, there is a
remedy pleasing to God. And this is for the couple, by mutual consent,
to separate from the marriage-bed and spend their days in prayer and
fasting."
Not only is this method
"full proof" and free of side effects, it has the advantage of
enriching family life: "To dominate instinct by means of one's
reason and free will undoubtedly requires ascetical practices, so that
the affective manifestations of conjugal life may observe the correct
order, in particular with regard to the observance of periodic
continence. Yet this discipline which is proper to the purity of married
couples, far from harming conjugal love, rather confers on it a higher
human value. It demands continual effort yet, thanks to its beneficent
influence, husband and wife fully develop their personalities, being
enriched with spiritual values. Such discipline bestows upon family life
fruits of serenity and peace, and facilitates the solution of other
problems; it favors attention for one's partner, helps both parties to
drive out selfishness, the enemy of true love; and deepens their sense
of responsibility. By its means, parents acquire the capacity of having
a deeper and more efficacious influence in the education of their
offspring; little children and youths grow up with a just appraisal of
human values, and in the serene and harmonious development of their
spiritual and sensitive faculties." (Pope Paul VI)
Remember
that "no one ever got pregnant, AIDS, or a venereal disease by
fully following the teachings of the Church - that is, abstinence."
'Natural Family Planning'
(NFP) essentially consists in periodic abstinence during a woman's
periods of fertility and may be used conceive or to avoid conception. It
helps the couple determine when a woman is fertile (which is generally
only a few days each month) so the couple can decide whether to engage
in or refrain from intimate relations during this time. It is
inexpensive (almost no cost), requires no medications, and has been
shown to have "a high rate of success". Licit use of NFP
(that
is, use for a certain time, under certain conditions, and with the appropriate end in view)
has been allowed by the Church (unfortunately, however, many Catholics
may use NFP illicitly as a form of 'birth control'). As Pope Pius XI has said: "Nor
are those [spouses] considered as acting against nature who in the
married state use their right in the proper manner although on account
of natural reasons either of time or of certain defects, new life cannot
be brought forth. For in matrimony as well as in the use of the
matrimonial rights there are also secondary ends, such as mutual aid,
the cultivating of mutual love, and the quieting of concupiscence which
husband and wife are not forbidden to consider so long as they are
subordinated to the primary end and so long as the intrinsic nature of
the act is preserved."
(Pope Pius XI, "Casti Connubii", 1930 A.D.)
The main drawback of NFP is
that its use may lead to a "contraceptive mentality" -
especially since the requirement of a grave reason is often ignored by
those who wish to use this method to avoid having children.
As Pope Pius XII stated: "[T]o embrace the
matrimonial state, to use continually the faculty proper to such a state
and lawful only therein, and, at the same time, to avoid its primary
duty without a grave reason, would be a sin against the very nature of
married life." Those who use NFP may have a smaller family size, may tend to
be closed to new life, may forget/ignore the fact that the primary purpose of marriage
is the procreation and education of children, may become selfish
(enjoying intimate pleasures but avoiding any life-giving consequences),
may prevent God from sending the couple all the children He wishes to
bless them with ["(R)ejection of human life, in whatever form that
rejection takes, is really a rejection of Christ. This is the
fascinating but also demanding truth which Christ reveals to us and
which his Church continues untiringly to proclaim: 'Whoever receives one
such child in my name receives me' (Mt 18:5)" (Pope John Paul II,
1995)], may show a lack of trust in Divine Providence, may reject full
self-giving, may tend to see the marital act as exclusively for pleasure [Error
CONDEMNED by Pope Innocent XI 'The act of marriage exercised for pleasure only is
entirely free of all fault and venial defect.'" (Pope Innocent XI,
This proposition was condemned in 1679 A.D.)], etc. In short, the trouble with
NFP is that it may be all too easy to end up using NFP illicitly
(which is not approved by the Church - and is, in fact, sinful). Since Catholics are
most definitely not required to practice NFP [in fact, using NFP
to avoid pregnancy may be illicit for many (most?) Catholics considering
that a grave reason would be required to do so], traditional
Catholics usually reject it outright, placing their complete trust in
God, and avoiding the risk of developing a contraceptive mentality and
of using NFP as a form of illicit "birth control".
The faithful couple must
remember that "children are a gift, not a burden" and that
"God will not give them 'too many' gifts." God can always be
trusted to do what is best for them, whether that entails few or many children.
As St. Augustine reminds, "God is not a deceiver, that He should
offer to support us, and then, when we lean upon Him, should slip away
from us." We must get back to honoring large families. "Sacramentally
married spouses with large families should be held in high honor."
Also
See:
The Myth
of Overpopulation
Also consider the
following:
-
"No
one can deny that the first example and the greatest help that
parents can give their children is their generosity in accepting
life, without forgetting that this is how parents help their
children to have a simpler lifestyle. Moreover, '...it is certainly
less serious to deny their children certain comforts or material
advantages than to deprive them of the presence of brothers and
sisters, who could help them to grow in humanity and to realize the
beauty of life at all its ages and in all its variety' (Pope John
Paul II)." (Pontifical Council for the Family)
-
"It
must never be forgotten that the disordered use of sex tends
progressively to destroy the person's capacity to love by making
pleasure, instead of sincere self-giving, the end of sexuality and
by reducing other persons to objects of one's own gratification. In
this way the meaning of true love between a man and a woman (love
always open to life) is weakened as well as the family itself.
Moreover, this subsequently leads to disdain for the human life
which could be conceived, which, in some situations, is then
regarded as an evil that threatens personal pleasure."
(Pontifical Council for the Family)
-
"Our
Encyclical 'Humanae vitae' has caused many reactions. But as far as
We recall, the Pope has never received so many spontaneous messages
of gratitude and approval for the publication of a document as on
this occasion. And these messages have poured in from every part of
the world and from every class of people. We mention this to express
Our cordial thanks to all those who have welcomed Our Encyclical
Letter and assured Us of their support. May the Lord bless them. We
know, of course, that there are many who have not appreciated Our
teaching, and not a few have opposed it. We can, in a sense,
understand their lack of comprehension and even their opposition.
Our decision is not an easy one. It is not in line with a practice
unfortunately widespread today which is regarded as convenient and,
on the surface, helpful to family harmony and love. Once again We
would remind you that the ruling We have reaffirmed is not Our own.
It originates from the very structure of life and love and human
dignity, and is thus derived from the law of God." (Pope Paul
VI)
-
"The
Pharaoh of old, haunted by the presence and increase of the children
of Israel, submitted them to every kind of oppression and ordered
that every male child born of the Hebrew women was to be killed (cf.
Ex 1:7-22). Today not a few of the powerful of the earth act in the
same way. They too are haunted by the current demographic growth,
and fear that the most prolific and poorest peoples represent a
threat for the well-being and peace of their own countries.
Consequently, rather than wishing to face and solve these serious
problems with respect for the dignity of individuals and families
and for every person's inviolable right to life, they prefer to
promote and impose by whatever means a massive program of birth
control. Even the economic help which they would be ready to give is
unjustly made conditional on the acceptance of an anti-birth policy." (Pope John Paul II, 1995)
-
"Such
practices are rooted in a hedonistic mentality unwilling to accept
responsibility in matters of sexuality, and they imply a
self-centered concept of freedom, which regards procreation as an
obstacle to personal fulfillment" (Pope John Paul II)
-
"Christian
revelation presents the two vocations to love: marriage and
virginity. In some societies today, not only marriage and the
family, but also vocations to the priesthood and the religious life,
are often in a state of crisis. The two situations are inseparable:
'When marriage is not esteemed, neither can consecrated virginity or
celibacy exist; when human sexuality is not regarded as a great
value given by the Creator, the renunciation of it for the sake of
the kingdom of heaven loses its meaning.' A lack of vocations
follows from the breakdown of the family, yet where parents are
generous in welcoming life, children will be more likely to be
generous when it comes to the question of offering themselves to
God: 'Families must once again express a generous love for life and
place themselves at its service above all by accepting the children
which the Lord wants to give them with a sense of responsibility not
detached from peaceful trust', and they may bring this acceptance to
fulfillment not only 'through a continuing educational effort but
also through an obligatory commitment, at times perhaps neglected,
to help teenagers especially and young people to accept the
vocational dimension of every living being, within God's plan" (Pontifical Council for the
Family)
-
"In
order to facilitate the spread of abortion, enormous sums of money
have been invested and continue to be invested in the production of
pharmaceutical products which make it possible to kill the fetus in
the mother's womb without recourse to medical assistance. On this
point, scientific research itself seems to be almost exclusively
preoccupied with developing products which are ever more simple and
effective in suppressing life and which at the same time are capable
of removing abortion from any kind of control or social
responsibility. It is frequently asserted that contraception, if
made safe and available to all, is the most effective remedy against
abortion. The Catholic Church is then accused of actually promoting
abortion, because she obstinately continues to teach the moral
unlawfulness of contraception. When looked at carefully, this
objection is clearly unfounded. It may be that many people use
contraception with a view to excluding the subsequent temptation of
abortion. But the negative values inherent in the 'contraceptive
mentality' - which is very different from responsible parenthood,
lived in respect for the full truth of the conjugal act - are such
that they in fact strengthen this temptation when an unwanted life
is conceived. Indeed, the pro-abortion culture is especially strong
precisely where the Church's teaching on contraception is rejected.
Certainly, from the moral point of view contraception and abortion
are specifically different evils... But despite their differences...contraception and abortion are often
closely connected, as fruits of the same tree...The close connection
which exists, in mentality, between the practice of contraception
and that of abortion is becoming increasingly obvious. It is being
demonstrated in an alarming way by the development of chemical
products, intrauterine devices and vaccines which...really act as abortifacients in the
very early stages of the development of the life of the new human
being." (Pope John Paul II)
-
"Parents
are well aware that living conjugal chastity themselves is the most
valid premise for educating their children in chaste love and in
holiness of life. This means that parents should be aware that God's
love is present in their love, and hence that their sexual giving
should also be lived out in respect for God and for his plan of
love, with fidelity, honor and generosity towards one's spouse and
towards the life which can arise from their act of love. Only in
this way can their love be an expression of charity."
(Pontifical Council for the Family)
-
"Through
this remote formation for chastity in the family, adolescents and
young people learn to live sexuality in its personal dimension,
rejecting any kind of separation of sexuality from love - understood
as self-giving - and any separation of the love between husband and
wife from the family. Parental respect for life and the mystery of
procreation will spare the child or young person from the false idea
that the two dimensions of the conjugal act, unitive and
procreative, can be separated at will. Thus the family comes to be
recognized as an inseparable part of the vocation to marriage. A
Christian education for chastity within the family cannot remain
silent about the moral gravity involved in separating the unitive
dimension from the procreative dimension within married life. This
happens above all in contraception and artificial procreation. In
the first case, one intends to seek [carnal] pleasure, intervening
in the conjugal act to avoid conception; in the second case
conception is sought by substituting the conjugal act with a
technique. These are actions contrary to the truth of married love
and contrary to full communion between husband and wife."
(Pontifical Council for the Family)
-
"In
the presence of the people, my Redeemer and Savior embraced children
and blessed them, in order to show how pleasing to him are the
purity and innocence of that age. Truly is he worthy of all praise,
who loves to be surrounded by innocent little ones." (St.
Ephrem)
-
"As
the domestic church, the family is summoned to proclaim, celebrate
and serve the Gospel of life. This is a responsibility which first
concerns married couples, called to be givers of life, on the basis
of an ever greater awareness of the meaning of procreation as a
unique event which clearly reveals that human life is a gift
received in order then to be given as a gift. In giving origin to a
new life, parents recognize that the child, 'as the fruit of their
mutual gift of love, is, in turn, a gift for both of them, a gift
which flows from them'." (Pope John Paul II, 1995)
-
"The
responsible exercise of parenthood implies, therefore, that husband
and wife recognize fully their own duties towards God, towards
themselves, towards the family and towards society, in a correct
hierarchy of values. In the task of transmitting life, therefore,
they are not free to proceed completely at will, as if they could
determine in a wholly autonomous way the honest path to follow; but
they must conform their activity to the creative intention of God,
expressed in the very nature of marriage and of its acts, and
manifested by the constant teaching of the Church." (Pope Paul
VI)
-
"To
the degree that a person weakens chastity, his or her love becomes
more and more selfish, that is, satisfying a desire for pleasure and
no longer self-giving." (Pontifical Council for the Family)
-
"The
two dimensions of conjugal union, the unitive and the procreative,
cannot be artificially separated without damaging the deepest truth
of the conjugal act itself." (Pontifical Council for the
Family)
-
"When
a couple refuses to collaborate with God to transmit the gift of
life, they have great difficulty in finding in themselves the
resources to sustain mutual understanding." (Pope John Paul II)
-
"The
revealing sign of authentic married love is openness to life: 'In
its most profound reality, love is essentially a gift; and conjugal
love, while leading the spouses to the reciprocal 'knowledge'...does not end with the couple, because it makes them capable of the
greatest possible gift, the gift by which they become cooperators
with God for giving life to a new human person. Thus the couple,
while giving themselves to one another, give not just themselves but
also the reality of children, who are a living reflection of their
love, a permanent sign of conjugal unity and a living and
inseparable synthesis of their being a father and a mother.'" (Pontifical Council for the Family)
-
"In
defending conjugal morals in their integral wholeness, the Church
knows that she contributes towards the establishment of a truly
human civilization; she engages man not to abdicate from his own
responsibility in order to rely on technical means; by that very
fact she defends the dignity of man and wife. Faithful to both the
teaching and the example of the Savior, she shows herself to be the
sincere and disinterested friend of men, whom she wishes to help,
even during their earthly sojourn, 'to share as sons in the life of
the living God, the Father of all men.'" (Pope Paul VI)
Contraception / 'NFP' (Topic Page)
Life
is a Gift From God
The
Myth of Overpopulation
Life
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(Reflections)
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