Can a married Catholic in good conscience use contraception?

[larry85704]

Bet there are a bunch of folks here that think using the pill is a mortal sin.

I believe that sex needs to be engaged in on a regular basis by a married couple. I believe that NTF permits that and encourages it. I believe it is important to have kids in a marriage and is sinful if kids are prevented by any means.

I further believe that the Church is teaching the best way in NTF and stating the pill is wrong. All that being said, this old boy is not going to tell anybody the pill is wrong or sinful. I’ll just say that NFP is better.

 

[jmcrae]

Bet there are a bunch of folks here that think using the pill is a mortal sin.

I believe that sex needs to be engaged in on a regular basis by a married couple. I believe that NTF permits that and encourages it. I believe it is important to have kids in a marriage and is sinful if kids are prevented by any means.

I further believe that the Church is teaching the best way in NTF and stating the pill is wrong. All that being said, this old boy is not going to tell anybody the pill is wrong or sinful. I’ll just say that NFP is better.

I am “acronym-challenged,” or AC as they who are “in the know” (ITK) would say.

What is “NTF”?

Yes, taking the birth control pill is A BAD IDEA (ABI) - and a mortal sin if you know just how bad of an idea it is, and then go ahead and do it anyway.

However, there are levels of culpability of sin. Who, after all, is at the greater fault, that Catholics use birth control pills? Themselves, or their Protestant and Jewish doctors who recommend and prescribe these pills to them, knowing full well how dangerous they are, not only to any babies who may be conceived, but also to the mother herself?

We don’t live in a Catholic society, and the people we trust with our lives may, or may not, have our best interests at heart. (In fact they see themselves as “gaining points” in some kind of obscure game, when they can talk a Catholic woman into using the birth control pill; in fact, I once actually heard someone say, “Score one against the Catholic Church - I convinced him [a Catholic man] to get a vasectomy.” They weren’t interested in his health at all; they just wanted to “score” against the Catholic Church.)

 

[larry85704]

Sorry, I mean to type Natural Family Planning, NFP. You know, the one the Church likes.

 

[Miserissima]

Okay …but what if a Catholic is convinced that they are acting in good conscience, virtuous and exercising prudence in their decision to use contraception …because they have ample and serious reason to do so and in heart of heart have no qualms with using contraception based on their specific circumstances. Does this not constitute “good” conscience?

And I only know of one example for conception: the question was answered on-air by Father Serpa. As best I can remember, the example was:

A married woman who has Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is taking birth control pills to prevent further painful cysts from growing on her ovaries. In this case, she is not intentionally contracepting. The pill was taken for medical reasons, and not to contracept.

 

[setter]

Bet there are a bunch of folks here that think using the pill is a mortal sin.

…All that being said, this old boy is not going to tell anybody the pill is wrong or sinful. I’ll just say that NFP is better.

Why not? Since when is education and explanation of what the Church teaches taboo for a fellow Catholic? Maybe those tender egos need to be brushed a little, or the ignorance enlightened, or the inflated pride needs to be tactfully deflated in order for the light of the gospel to penetrate the darkness of mind or hardness of heart

 

[estesbob]

Why not? Since when is education and explanation of what the Church teaches taboo for a fellow Catholic? Maybe those tender egos need to be brushed a little, or the ignorance enlightened, or the inflated pride needs to be tactfully deflated in order for the light of the gospel to penetrate the darkness of mind or hardness of heart

Hey-my priest told me it was OK!

 

[setter]

Hey-my priest told me it was OK!

My “dissident self” would agree.

 

[jmcrae]

Hey-my priest told me it was OK!

 

[Julianna]

Well in general I’d say its not our place to judge. We know the teaching it is our job to make sure we are doing what we are supposed to. What their doing is largely their problem. **If you know someone personally that is using the Pill for poor reasons you do have a responsibility to say something (admonish the sinner) but it should be done very carefully. **Mostly we should pray for them and hope in Gods mercy.

I suppose if someone really wanted to try and make an impact they could beginning some adult education classes done with LOTS of Charity.

The only reason you would know is if they told you directly. I doubt seriously that people go around talking about what they are taking or not taking. Also, I doubt women using the pill would say anything to any conservative counterpart unless they are a glutton for punishment. So they just keep their mouth shut, which in their case is a good thing, as it is none of our business. They may know the church teaching, they may or may not follow it, but it is between them and God.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Well, it is true that the majority of Catholics us birth control not approved by the Pope. What should be done with them?

Kick them out of the Church?

Egg their house?

After all, they are going to hell. Why waste time on them here in this life?

Don’t we want Catholics to conform to the Churches teaching?

I say treat them as Jesus treated the woman caught in adultery even though some’s comments would indicate he had to have acted in error I am sticking with him on this one. No stones or admonishing need by (or for) me.

 

[wasurso]

Okay …but what if a Catholic is convinced that they are acting in good conscience, virtuous and exercising prudence in their decision to use contraception …because they have ample and serious reason to do so and in heart of heart have no qualms with using contraception based on their specific circumstances. Does this not constitute “good” conscience?

Hi Setter. I’m new here and will probably be the only voice of progressiveness. I am a married, 38yo woman with two beautiful little girls. I use contraception in clear conscience. I have a medical condition that would make conception a life-threatening thing for me. I have had one tubal pregancy and almost bled to death before the doctors could realize what had happened.

Since then, I went onto IVF for my first daughter, and a natural pregnancy with my second daughter. The natural pregnancy was not discovered until I was in the emergency room one night.

My children need me. Therefore, I am not going to risk my life conceiving a potential child.

I also believe that God would not us to have a dozen children if we were not able to provide for them. I can safely provide for two children.

The church has stated that barrier methods of birth control, such as condoms, are appropriate. However, the birth control pill prevents ovulation from taking place, thus the sperm is not “killed” - it never has a chance to meet an ovum.

The Catholic church, which I truly adore, is severly behind the times. Most of our modern day doctrine has been written generations, and in some cases, hundreds of years ago.

 

[Cari]

The church has stated that barrier methods of birth control, such as condoms, are appropriate.

Really? Can you show me where I can verify that information? Thanks!

However, the birth control pill prevents ovulation from taking place, thus the sperm is not “killed” - it never has a chance to meet an ovum.

Yup.

Oh wait. Except in those cases where it DOES meet the ovum, fertilizes it, and creates a new life. THEN the pill prevents this new human from attaching to the uterine wall, and ultimately kills the baby.

The Catholic church, which I truly adore, is severly behind the times. Most of our modern day doctrine has been written generations, and in some cases, hundreds of years ago.

You adore it? Which parts?

 

[wasurso]

Cari, how long have you been married (I’m assuming you are married because you are pregnant, and most Catholics wait until they are married to have children)?

I ask this because until you have suffered a loss in a marriage with children, you re-evalute your priorities. My priorities are my two living children. I am not going to jeopardize their lives for my own. I put their lives ABOVE my own. My choice to use contraceptives could potentially SAVE my life, to continue to mother my existing children.

Here are some facts on the pill (taken from this link: kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/contraception/contraception_birth.html):

*What Is It?

The birth control pill (also called “the Pill”) is a daily pill that contains hormones to change the way the body works and prevent pregnancy. Hormones are chemical substances that control the functioning of the body’s organs. In this case, the hormones in the Pill control the ovaries and the uterus.
How Does It Work?

Most birth control pills are “combination pills” containing a combination of the hormones estrogen and progesterone to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg during the monthly cycle). A woman cannot get pregnant if she doesn’t ovulate because there is no egg to be fertilized. The Pill also works by thickening the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and reach any eggs that may have been released. The hormones in the Pill can also sometimes affect the lining of the uterus, making it difficult for an egg to attach to the wall of the uterus.*

Regarding Condom use and Catholics, this is usually what I reference (taken from this link:condoms4life.org/facts/conscience.htm):

*Catholic church leaders tend to support the distribution of prophylactics when there is an educational program that underlines church teaching on responsible sexuality. Thus, Monsignor Jacques Suaudeau of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Family writes in L’Osservatore Romano, the official Vatican newspaper, that “the use of prophylactics” in some circumstances, “is actually a lesser evil but it cannot be proposed as a model of humanization and development” (April 19, 2000).

The French Bishops Council declared in 1996 that the use of condoms “can be understood in the case of people for whom sexual activity is an ingrained part of their life style and for whom [that activity] represents a serious risk; but it has to be firmly added that such a method does not promote mature sexuality.”*

And finally, you question why I adore the Catholic church. Because I do. Religion is a very private thing between a person, their Church and their God. I don’t ever question other’s beliefs in the Catholic church, please don’t question mine.

 

[jmcrae]

Hi Setter. I’m new here and will probably be the only voice of progressiveness.

We have no future (and thus, no “progressiveness”) if we contracept.

Therefore, contraception is not progressive, whatever else it may be.

I also think you are mistaken about the Catholic Church permitting barrier methods such as condoms - from what I have read, these are related to the sin of Onan; the spilling of the seed, which is forbidden.

 

[wasurso]

I also think you are mistaken about the Catholic Church permitting barrier methods such as condoms - from what I have read, these are related to the sin of Onan; the spilling of the seed, which is forbidden.

I am definately not mistaken. The Catholic Church has said time and time again that yes, the distribution of condoms leads to the declining number of AIDs cases. Therefore they endorse the practice. See my quote above if you don’t believe me. The Catholic Church would rather have alive followers than dead followers.

 

[jmcrae]

Cari, how long have you been married (I’m assuming you are married because you are pregnant, and most Catholics wait until they are married to have children)?

I ask this because until you have suffered a loss in a marriage with children, you re-evalute your priorities. My priorities are my two living children. I am not going to jeopardize their lives for my own. I put their lives ABOVE my own. My choice to use contraceptives could potentially SAVE my life, to continue to mother my existing children.

Here are some facts on the pill (taken from this link: kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/contraception/contraception_birth.html):

*What Is It?

The birth control pill (also called “the Pill”) is a daily pill that contains hormones to change the way the body works and prevent pregnancy. Hormones are chemical substances that control the functioning of the body’s organs. In this case, the hormones in the Pill control the ovaries and the uterus.
How Does It Work?

Most birth control pills are “combination pills” containing a combination of the hormones estrogen and progesterone to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg during the monthly cycle). A woman cannot get pregnant if she doesn’t ovulate because there is no egg to be fertilized. *

This is true.

The Pill also works by thickening the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and reach any eggs that may have been released.

 

[jmcrae]

I am definately not mistaken. The Catholic Church has said time and time again that yes, the distribution of condoms leads to the declining number of AIDs cases. Therefore they endorse the practice. See my quote above if you don’t believe me. The Catholic Church would rather have alive followers than dead followers.

I read your quotes above. Neither of them are saying “yes” to condoms. Both of them are giving reasons why condoms should not be used, even in the case of AIDS, etc.

They are saying that while condoms might seem like the lesser evil, in fact, they aren’t and should not be used because they promote immaturity and they block the overall progress of humanity.

 

[jmcrae]

The Catholic Church would rather have alive followers than dead followers.

Actually, the Catholic Church would prefer that more of its followers go to Heaven when they die than to Hell. Therefore, they would never recommend an action that would directly cause any of their followers to go to Hell.

The use of any kind of contraceptive causes people to go to Hell when they die - this is why the Catholic Church can never permit any of them.

 

[guanophore]

But I have had more than one parsih priest say that one can in good conscience choose to contracept given the psecifics of my marital situation. Am I to believe a forum poster, or any lay Catholicv for that matter, over an ordained priest?

Since there seems to be a discrepancy, I recommend that you read the Catechism, and decide based upon a more informed conscience. If your priest leads you into sin, it is better for him to have a millstone around his neck.

So you are suggesting that I violate my person integrity, become a compliant puppet, then this better postions me to accept more wholeheartidly what the Church teaches over my own God given conscience? Why should I compromise my self as such?

If your eye or your hand (or taking contraceptives) cause you to sin, pluck, cut! Better to enter maimed that to be cast into hell with all your “integrity”.

Jesus does not want "puppets’ but obedient servants. By using the word "puppet’ you indicate that some other will is at work, other than your own. Jesus wants us to die, and live only in Him. Once our life is hidden with Christ in God, we are then animated by the spirit of God. We are not “puppets” but members of HIs body.

The best reason to place the church teaching over your own is because the Church has been following Jesus for 2000 years, and has more experience in understanding His will than each of us does individually. Also, Jesus guaranteed His spirit would guide the Church into all truth.

The Church claimed scripture revealed the earth was the center of the universe yet some knew this was not correct. So were they destined to hell, for lacking in the Church binding on the matter?

This is way off topic,and really needs it’s own thread.

umh, your assertion is the Church lacked authority for any such trial? ( and that would not in itself be a moral issue) Or the church interpretation of scriptures was incorrect?

Seems like you are questioning the authority of the magesterium. While this concept is germaine to this thread, this topic really needs to have it’s own.

 

[wasurso]

The sperm never goes near the uterus. The egg is released in the fallopian tube; not the uterus.

Actually, that is not how female anatomy works. The ovaries are not connected to the fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes are connected to the uterus. If you only have one fallopian tube (as I do) you can still ovulate from both ovaries and still have a chance of the one fallopian tube “grabbing” the egg and bringing it down. This is how my second daughter was conceived.

There are tiny, hair-like strands in the fallopian tubes called Fimbria that move the egg down the fallopian tube and into the uterus. If the wall of the uterus is favorable (a lining of about 10-15mm is ideal) then a fertilized egg can implant.

When she attempts to attach herself to the uterine wall in order to begin to take food into her stomache, the progesterone from the birth control pill fills her up with acid instead of food, which slowly kills her. When she dies, she will be flushed out of the uterus in the mother’s next period. The mother will never even know that she had ever existed.

Actually, you that have wrong. Progesterone is what helps to SUSTAIN a pregnancy, not end one. After a woman goes through IVF, she has to take progesterone suppositories or shots until the placenta is devloped and can sustain the pregnancy. This is usually for up to 6-12 weeks, maybe even longer. That is why when you find out you are pregnant, a doctor will take a blood sample. Two reasons, for the level of hCG (pregnancy hormone) and progesterone level. If you progesterone level is too low, they will add a supplement. If your hCG doesn’t double every 48 as it should at the beginning of pregnancy, then there might be a problem with the pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancy.

And if one is on the pill, even if a conception takes place, the lining of the uterus wouldn’t be favorable for a pregnancy implantation. The pill makes it so that the uterine lining does not build up. So a fertlitized egg will never implant and thus be “poisoned” as you have stated.

Please, know your facts on fertility before you state them.