2 questions on NFP

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notredame_999

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  1. Is a married couple always required to ask a priest for permission to engage in NFP for a “grave” reason?
  2. Is the couple allowed to ask more than one priest until they get the answer they want? Are they required to ask their closest diocesan priest first?
 
No, the standard is “serious” reason not “grave” reason and the couple does not need permission from their priest. Some reasons are clear-cut such as medical concerns or a financial crisis. At other times, when it is not so clear-cut, the direction of a good spiritual director is a good idea but not a requirement.
 
A couple is obligated to have a grave reason, not to ask a priest for permission. However, since people tend to be capable of great self-deception, it is usually a good idea to discuss this matter with a priest. He can help them to discern God’s will. “Priest-shopping” until they get the answer they want defeats the purpose of asking for the advice. Ideally, we should turn for advice to priests whom we have concluded are holy and orthodox. I would not ask a priest just because he was geographically close.
 
floresco said:
I use these words interchangeably. What distinction are you making between them?
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It’s a matter of degree but I’m just using the normal English language definitions, the Church might have something more specific.

Here’s one article on the USCCB website that discusses the differences.

usccb.org/prolife/issues/nfp/seriousq.shtml

My own pastor defines “serious” as reasons that are not trivial or selfish. “Grave” would imply a dire consequence.

For example, wanting a few years between children for a mother to physically recover from childbirth is a serious reason. Wanting to use NFP due to a risk to the mother’s life is a grave reason.
 
One of my Jewish bosses once told me that in Judaism if one is uncertain on a matter one may ask a rabbi. One may then follow his advice without fear of breaking the law. However, one may not ask two rabbis and take the answer he prefers. 😉
 
Am I misunderstanding something here? NFP = natural family planning. Why is there even need for a permission or a serious reason for it?
 
ConstantineTG said:
Am I misunderstanding something here? NFP = natural family planning. Why is there even need for a permission or a serious reason for it?
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Because its to be used indefinitely or for long duration of time unless there is a serious or grave reason to do so.
 
ConstantineTG said:
Am I misunderstanding something here? NFP = natural family planning. Why is there even need for a permission or a serious reason for it?
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Because it’s possible for NFP to be used with a contraceptive attitude or for selfish reasons. Couples who use NFP for extended periods of time especially might need to be on guard against that.

The idea of permission might come out of an Orthodox practice, where as I understand it, a couple may sometimes use contraception but only with the permission of their priest. Or it may be just a way to make sure a couple is not deceiving themselves about their reasons. 🙂 Either way, its not required for Catholics.
 
Corki said:
Because it’s possible for NFP to be used with a contraceptive attitude or for selfish reasons. Couples who use NFP for extended periods of time especially might need to be on guard against that.

The idea of permission might come out of an Orthodox practice, where as I understand it, a couple may sometimes use contraception but only with the permission of their priest. Or it may be just a way to make sure a couple is not deceiving themselves about their reasons. 🙂 Either way, its not required for Catholics.
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From what I understand, the reason why the Church allows NFP is because there is no barrier that would prevent the conception of a child. So if God wills it, even though you would think that the woman is incapable of concieving at that point of her cycle, its still can happen because there’s nothing preventing the natural process.
 
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