S
sixlittlesaints
Guest
About five weeks ago an advertisement appeared in our Church bulletin for a local OBGyn practice. The practice clearly operates outside of Church teachings in that the doctors there prescribe all forms of artificial contraception including sterilization. I sent the following email to our pastor but he is not interested in removing the ad. What do you recommend my husband and I do in this situation? So far, my husband forwarded my email to all his fellow Knights of Columbus, has canceled our contributions to the Church, and tells me he will go to the Bishop if the ad remains in the bulletin for two more weeks.
Dear Pastor and Deacon,
*
I am writing to inform you about a potentially dangerous and misleading advertisement in the March 21st edition of the Church bulletin. In the top left corner of the back page there is an advertisement for OB/GYN. The ad displays a picture of Doctor with the phrase, “Your local Catholic OB/GYN.”
I have no doubt that Dr. is indeed Catholic. However,the practice does not support Catholic reproductive beliefs.OB/GYN practice is one of the largest gynecological/ obstetrical practices in state. They have five offices and employ 17 physicians, 6 nurse practitioners,4 physician assistants, as well as numerous office staff. A quick glace at the practice website indicates that practice offers artificial contraception such as birth control pills, intrauterine device (IUD), tubal sterilizationas, and hysterectomies. Herewebsiteyou can see how the practiceclearly advertisesthe permanent sterilization procedure Essure for women whose families are complete.
I have been to Dr. many times and have also seen other providers at the office. My first appointment was following the miscarriage of my son. While compassionate, no one was able to direct me to the proper channels for a Christian burial for my unborn child. I was also offered an IUD or aprescription for birth control pills. My next visits occurred between date and date during my pregnancy with my daughter. Nothing amiss happened during these visits but I chose a new practitioner because I desired a midwife for the baby’s birth. My final visit took place on date for an annual appointment. Once again I was offered all forms of artificial birth control. At this visit I inquired about additional information*on the Billings method of Natural Family Planning. The doctor had not heard of the method but printed off a few pages from a medical website and told me to come back in a few months when I had changed my mind.
I feel it is both dangerous and misleading to include an advertisement in our Church bulletin for a doctor who clearly does not practice in conformity to Catholic Church teachings. Women will be inclined to go to practice expecting to find Catholic teachings. If they are not well-versed in their faith, they are likely to take the birth control pills offered them by this Church endorsed physician without realizing the gravity of the situation. Perhaps, some women will even be led to the permanent decision of sterilization by reading our Church bulletin.
I recommend carrying an advertisement for other doctor with other practice about 20 miles away. While he is not local, he leads an NFP only practice where literature for all types of NFP methods can be found. He and his staff teach both the Sympto-Thermal method, the Billings method, and the Family of the Americas Ovulation Method. Artificial birth control options are never suggested or prescribed and abortions are never recommended under any circumstances. The staff offered me paperwork, advice, and compassion and directed me to the correct sources to obtain a Catholic burial for the remains of my unborn son. Please visit the following website to learn more about this practice: website
In conclusion, my husband and I recommend you remove the advertisement for local practice from our Catholic bulletin and replace it with the other truly Catholic practice.
Thank you for your prompt consideration to this grave matter,
Dear Pastor and Deacon,
*
I am writing to inform you about a potentially dangerous and misleading advertisement in the March 21st edition of the Church bulletin. In the top left corner of the back page there is an advertisement for OB/GYN. The ad displays a picture of Doctor with the phrase, “Your local Catholic OB/GYN.”
I have no doubt that Dr. is indeed Catholic. However,the practice does not support Catholic reproductive beliefs.OB/GYN practice is one of the largest gynecological/ obstetrical practices in state. They have five offices and employ 17 physicians, 6 nurse practitioners,4 physician assistants, as well as numerous office staff. A quick glace at the practice website indicates that practice offers artificial contraception such as birth control pills, intrauterine device (IUD), tubal sterilizationas, and hysterectomies. Herewebsiteyou can see how the practiceclearly advertisesthe permanent sterilization procedure Essure for women whose families are complete.
I have been to Dr. many times and have also seen other providers at the office. My first appointment was following the miscarriage of my son. While compassionate, no one was able to direct me to the proper channels for a Christian burial for my unborn child. I was also offered an IUD or aprescription for birth control pills. My next visits occurred between date and date during my pregnancy with my daughter. Nothing amiss happened during these visits but I chose a new practitioner because I desired a midwife for the baby’s birth. My final visit took place on date for an annual appointment. Once again I was offered all forms of artificial birth control. At this visit I inquired about additional information*on the Billings method of Natural Family Planning. The doctor had not heard of the method but printed off a few pages from a medical website and told me to come back in a few months when I had changed my mind.
I feel it is both dangerous and misleading to include an advertisement in our Church bulletin for a doctor who clearly does not practice in conformity to Catholic Church teachings. Women will be inclined to go to practice expecting to find Catholic teachings. If they are not well-versed in their faith, they are likely to take the birth control pills offered them by this Church endorsed physician without realizing the gravity of the situation. Perhaps, some women will even be led to the permanent decision of sterilization by reading our Church bulletin.
I recommend carrying an advertisement for other doctor with other practice about 20 miles away. While he is not local, he leads an NFP only practice where literature for all types of NFP methods can be found. He and his staff teach both the Sympto-Thermal method, the Billings method, and the Family of the Americas Ovulation Method. Artificial birth control options are never suggested or prescribed and abortions are never recommended under any circumstances. The staff offered me paperwork, advice, and compassion and directed me to the correct sources to obtain a Catholic burial for the remains of my unborn son. Please visit the following website to learn more about this practice: website
In conclusion, my husband and I recommend you remove the advertisement for local practice from our Catholic bulletin and replace it with the other truly Catholic practice.
Thank you for your prompt consideration to this grave matter,