"Catholics" on Birth Control

[mark_a]

I think what Jea9 said may have been a typo. Of course, I could be wrong.

That would be a relief.

 

[blossom02]

What health reasons is the pill really needed for? I haven"t heard of a real need yet that can’t be treated more effectively with other treatment.

 

[twf]

PennitentMan

I though that the Church teaches that Birth Control is intrinsically evil…how can something that is “intrinsically evil” not be a sin in every and all circumstances.

Taking measures to prevent conception while having sex is intrinsically wrong. Taking certain forms of medication, in and of itself, is not.

 

[gemly]

told).

CCC 2370 Periodic continence, that is, the methods of birth regulation based on self-observation and the use of infertile periods, is in conformity with the objective criteria of morality. . In contrast, “**every action **which, whether 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” is intrinsically evil: **
.

I’m going through a real struggle here to NOT use BC in my marriage. I’d been faithfully using NFP until a few years back when my menstrual cycle went haywire and it was delayed (thought I was pregnant). Since then, my husband has used BC. He contends that if we are using NFP to avoid pregnancy, it doesn’t make any difference to using BC. I now want to go back to NFP, but the last sentence of CCC above would mean that if my intention is to avoid getting pregnant at my age (we’re blessed with 3 kids), it’s a sin, isn’t it?

 

[hasikelee]

I’m going through a real struggle here to NOT use BC in my marriage. I’d been faithfully using NFP until a few years back when my menstrual cycle went haywire and it was delayed (thought I was pregnant). Since then, my husband has used BC. He contends that if we are using NFP to avoid pregnancy, it doesn’t make any difference to using BC. I now want to go back to NFP, but the last sentence of CCC above would mean that if my intention is to avoid getting pregnant, it’s a sin, isn’t it?

Did you ever conclude what caused your cycle to go haywire?

Also, if your husband is not interested in NFP for moral or personal reasons, have you encouraged him to research the complications of artificial contraception? Perhaps he will change his mind so as to care for your health.

Birth control pills fail, some of them much more often than even “average” use of NFP. And, depending on which kind of birth control you are using, you could be causing early term abortions or you could give birth to a baby with severe birth defects. (These are facts confirmed by the makers of the pills themselves and by the FDA)

 

[gemly]

I believe the cycle changed due to my age, which resulted in me having a short cycle now. My husband is using condom during fertile days. I know it’s wrong, but if based on CCC statement, even if I’m using NFP, my intention is still a sin. I’m so troubled by this though I’ve just gone for confession. God help me.

 

[hasikelee]

I believe the cycle changed due to my age, which resulted in me having a short cycle now. My husband is using condom and we abstain during fertile days. I know it’s wrong, but if based on CCC statement, even if I’m using NFP, my intention is still a sin. I’m so troubled by this though I’ve just gone for confession. God help me.

If you are abstaining during the fertile period, using a condom would seem to be a psychological reassurance for him.

Have you directed him to the Center for Disease control, which states that condoms, when used 100% correctly, are not considered an effective method of protection against pregnancy?

 

[gemly]

He contends that it’s safer than NFP and he just doesn’t want to risk having another child at our age. He even uses it on my ‘safe’ days now after the last time my menses was delayed. As I said earlier, he feels that if I’m using NFP as a BC method, then it’s already a sin (as confirmed in the CCC statement).

 

[allhers]

He contends that it’s safer than NFP and he just doesn’t want to risk having another child at our age. He even uses it on my ‘safe’ days now after the last time my menses was delayed. As I said earlier, he feels that if I’m using NFP as a BC method, then it’s already a sin (as confirmed in the CCC statement).

Have you seen this link?

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=44106

 

[New_Yorker]

What health reasons is the pill really needed for? I haven"t heard of a real need yet that can’t be treated more effectively with other treatment.

Talk to any physician, including NFP physicians, and they’ll tell you that birth control can be used to help treat cysts and for other reasons. It’s not that rare. However, since it IS intrinsically evil, and one cannot have procreative sex while on the pill, one MUST refrain from sex while on the birth control pill. It’s not a sin to be prescribed the pill. It’s a sin to have contracepted sex while on the pill. If you’re on the pill, one must abstain from sex.

 

[larry85704]

Well, if the Bishop says it is ok, then isn’t it ok in that diocese? Ok or not, BC has become a non-issue. I know you all hate to acknowledge that, but it is true. The Catholics Church just isn’t going to give glory to God by not having sex or by not masturbating or by not eating meat on Friday, or going to Church with your head covered.

You all need to get away from all the things it is not supposed to do and focus on doing what God wants. I’d be very surprised if God couldn’t think of something His Church needs to do now that it is not doing. For starters, how about teaching young people, that have a very bad example from their drug addict parent, how to find happiness in a marriage? Ever go to a priest, or deacon for help? You know they are not professionally trained for that. Wouldn’t it be nice to know you are going to someone that is a good Catholic and helping you and you are actually getting good, professional help?

How about understanding the reason why people feel they need to be homosexual. If it is based on something that isn’t right how about coming up with a way to fix it? Does anybody know how much money anybody has spent on studies of why people are straight or gay?

I just picked homosexuality out of the blue, anything would work. How much energy does the Church spend on understanding things and coming up with really good programs to help people?

 

[New_Yorker]

He contends that if we are using NFP to avoid pregnancy, it doesn’t make any difference to using BC.

There is a big difference. NFP allows intercourse that is open to God’s will. It permits the natural functions of the sex organs in accord with the Natural Law.

While using NFP, one postpones temporary pleasure to use your sexual organs in a natural fashion (as intended by God).

While using artificial birth control, one postpones or prevents the use of your sexual organs, for temporary pleasure. Artificial birth control is temporary sterilization of your sex organs. You do not take part in God’s Plan for you if you are withholding your fertility from your spouse and God.

The Sympto Thermal method is very accurate and works with different cycles. Just have intercourse during the post-ovulation time period (after a certain # of days, according to your chart) and you should be fine. Good luck, and we’ll pray for you.

 

[gemly]

There is a big difference. NFP allows intercourse that is open to God’s will. It permits the natural functions of the sex organs in accord with the Natural Law.

The Sympto Thermal method is very accurate and works with different cycles. Just have intercourse during the post-ovulation time period (after a certain # of days, according to your chart) and you should be fine. Good luck, and we’ll pray for you.

Thank you, Hasikelee and New Yorker. I’ll look up the Sympto Thermal method. I know we should have more faith in God’s plan for us and going back to NFP will be our first step. Will pray for God’s guidance. God bless.

 

[Seatuck]

Talk to any physician, including NFP physicians, and they’ll tell you that birth control can be used to help treat cysts and for other reasons. It’s not that rare. However, since it IS intrinsically evil, and one cannot have procreative sex while on the pill, one MUST refrain from sex while on the birth control pill. It’s not a sin to be prescribed the pill. It’s a sin to have contracepted sex while on the pill. If you’re on the pill, one must abstain from sex.

Most NFP only doctors will tell you that other methods than ABC are better for you and for your spiritual health.They have made a lot of strides in this area. It just takes time and extra testing to work it out. If you look in the Archives of the Catholic Answers shows you’ll find several shows there where this is discussed.
The Vatican has not pronounced that a married couple must refrain from sex during treatment using the pill. You aren’t correct on that. Some moral theologians have said this. Some have said do your best to determine ovulation and abstain if you suspect it. Others have said don’t worry about it based on the principal of double effect. That’s where we sit on that.Look in the Ask an Apologist Archives. Father Serpa has answered this.It has been answered elsewhere.

Also while many in the church understand the paragraph in HV to allow pill usage many do not . The Pill was not used as a “cure” at that time so Paul VI was not including it in his statement.He seems to have been referring to necessary hysterectomy or radiation etc. The Pill does not cure anything but only regulates symptoms. So there is still some discussion to be done whether the the pill is acceptable as a treatment at all.

 

[LittleDeb]

I’m just reading this thread after having given our talk about NFP to the Catholic Engaged Encounter weekend. Sometimes the cold wind that blows through is positively chilling. I was feeling very discouraged, but I feel a little better after reading this thread. The questions and frustrations expressed here were the exact ones asked this weekend.

In one hour we tried to explain many things that it takes it a lifetime to explore. Is the 10 days of abstinence difficult? How can NFP be “open to life?” What about vasectomy/ tubal ligation for health reasons? How do you know when to abstain/ or plan children?

Our short answers:

10 days difficult? Nope. Finding time to be together after caring for the rest of married life, that’s what’s difficult. But so worth it!!

Open to life? Overcome a contraceptive mentality. The design is “sex makes babies.” If you don’t ever want babies, don’t ever have sex. That is how they are made. If you are open to God’s plan and want to unite your plan with God’s plan, then learn your fertility and ask God if tonight is a good night for His plan. If you aren’t supposed to have more kids, God will say “NO!” when you are fertile.

Contraception for health reasons? Address the diseased organ. If the uterus is totally broken, take it out. If not, leave it there. Don’t break an organ that works to treat another problem. Fix the real problem.

How to know when to abstain/plan children? Get united as a couple and united with God, then see the answer to question 2.

As for those “Catholics” on birth control? Wow. There isn’t a person who has crossed my path who hasn’t heard about Planned Parenthood-Margaret Sanger-Eugenics and the Nazi’s-where the term “birth control” came from-my not so holy past-and the why’s of my passion for Catholic teaching… Sometimes I get an extremely warm response…

Other times, if looks could kill I would be dead. The cold glares are tangible.

 

[graceandglory]

What health reasons is the pill really needed for? I haven"t heard of a real need yet that can’t be treated more effectively with other treatment.

Uh…women who grow beards?
It balances out the correct amounts of female hormones in their bodies. Not enough = facial hair.
So a medication which prevents conception, can be used as medication to regulate a woman’s hormones.
If preventing conception is a side effect of the medication, and the woman is married, it really does become a gray area as far as sin goes.

For me, I wouldn’t do it.
(But then, I don’t have a beard.)

 

[graceandglory]

Is the 10 days of abstinence difficult?

Isn’t that the “old” NFP?

Aren’t the days of abstinence lessened with the Creighton Model?

Not married, just curious.

 

[hasikelee]

Isn’t that the “old” NFP?

Aren’t the days of abstinence lessened with the Creighton Model?

Not married, just curious.

Maybe graceandglory’s estimation is based on sperm living for several days, so abstinence before and after ovulation will lower the possibility of sperm being present at the time of ovulation.

 

[newbetx]

Our priests regularly (I would say at least once a month) talk about the evils of contraception, abortion, sex outside marriage, masturbation, and homosexual activity.

Great! We had one young priest do it once. So sad. At first I was put out but after TOB, I really appreciate what he did. I’m sure he took some flack because I never heard it again while he was with us.

It always bothers me that they seem to focus only on abortion and not those things that lead to it. Sure, it’s uncomfortable. Especially for those in the pews! But it need not be.

I’m seriously wanting a TOB study at our parish.

 

[newbetx]

Talk to any physician, including NFP physicians, and they’ll tell you that birth control can be used to help treat cysts and for other reasons. It’s not that rare. However, since it IS intrinsically evil, and one cannot have procreative sex while on the pill, one MUST refrain from sex while on the birth control pill. It’s not a sin to be prescribed the pill. It’s a sin to have contracepted sex while on the pill. If you’re on the pill, one must abstain from sex.

Not what I understood. Can you provide a church reference? Or is this an assumption that since by it’s nature, being on the pill implies contraceptive sex? No exception for a medical condition?