Article for Relatives

[Catholic]

Can anyone recommend an article on the web that would offer a gentle way to propose NFP to some relatives? They are Catholic and might be using contraception, but it is very awkward for me to approach them. Perhaps an article dealing with the medical/health disadvantages of contraception would be one helpful type. Thanks . . .

 

[sanctamaria17]

If you don’t know if they’re using or not, I’d give them the benefit of the doubt and pray for them.

But if they’re talking about new developments in medicine, you could chime in and bring up an article. The National Institutes of Health have said that the birth control pill is carcinogenic (so google them and check out their site) and BBC did an article about a study that proves that NFP is as effective as the pill. Also, if you have access to the Harvard Guide to Women’s Health, it has some statistics that prove that NFP is accurate (though it is obviously non-Catholic and will encourage couples to use condoms w/NFP to “prevent frustration”.

In this case you’d say, “Did you know that (insert source here) said that NFP is really effective (or birth control is proving dangerous)?” But don’t sound like you’re telling them what to do, just that you find these kinds of issues interesting. Then pray that they take it to heart.

 

[SeekerJen]

If you don’t know if they’re using or not, I’d give them the benefit of the doubt and pray for them.

Exactly. How do you know? Or do you just assume because they’ve been married a while and don’t have children? If it’s an assumption, I would ask you to refrain. As someone who has struggled with infertility for the past three years, I know I would also struggle to respond charitably to someone who approached me with NFP info because they assumed DH and I must be contracepting. I realize that we give scandal by our very existence, but that’s bad enough without having to worry about it being cast up to us, regardless of how well-meant it is.

Prayer never hurts and always helps.