I have a theory as to how the widespread acceptance of contraception by Catholics and the massive decrease in vocations are connected.
Imagine a church in which everyone, by some miracle, comes to believe that contraception is a mortal sin to be avoided for the sake of one’s salvation.
If my “dream scenario” is even partially correct, the acceptance of the Church’s teaching on contraception solves a lot of problems — problems we didn’t have before the almost-universal dissent from Humanae vitae.
And though I didn’t say a word about it in the scenario I outlined, just look at communities where the Traditional Latin Mass is celebrated (FSSP, SSPX, et al). Vocations abound. TLM adherents by and large accept the Church’s teaching on contraception.
Imagine a church in which everyone, by some miracle, comes to believe that contraception is a mortal sin to be avoided for the sake of one’s salvation.
- In the short run, those who cannot stop contracepting, even though they know it is wrong, cease to receive communion.
- The communion lines grow much shorter.
- More people go to confession, and more frequently, as they struggle to make the Church’s teaching their own, and to gain the courage to cease the sin of contraception.
- Those who cease contracepting begin using NFP if they wish to limit their family size.
- But there arises an awareness that NFP does not mean simply “limiting your family size on your own terms”, rather, NFP is only to be used where there is a grave or serious reason to avoid pregnancy.
- Larger families (and by this I mean more than the “two or three and we’re done” mentality) begin to emerge as the faithful welcome children on God’s terms, not their own.
- NFP fails occasionally (possibly 2 to 5 percent “surprise pregnancies” even despite one’s best efforts) and “oops babies” are welcomed as signs of God’s providence.
- Families begin to live much more simply (they pretty much have to), and more and more women stay at home.
- Marriages to non-Catholics begin to drop off, as it is pretty difficult in our age to convince a non-Catholic not to use contraception.
- Young men and women begin to seek Catholic spouses as a rule.
- In the meantime, some young men and women begin to decide that marriage, and raising a larger family, is a very difficult undertaking and is not for them.
- Many of these young men and women decide to pursue priestly and religious vocations, which are seen by them as more attractive than taking on the burden of raising a large family. It provides a satisfying, fulfilling life and becomes a desirable alternative. (And not to be crass, but they get free room and board for life, as well as a higher education free of charge, and security in their old age.)
- More priests means more widespread access to the sacraments, and greater opportunities for holiness. More parishes, even smaller ones, now have the luxury of having multiple priests and Masses daily. Priests are more available for sick calls and to administer the sacraments to shut-ins and the disabled.
- Catholic schools have more priestly and religious teachers, who do not have to be paid nearly as much as lay teachers. Catholic education becomes far less expensive and is once again available to any Catholic student.
If my “dream scenario” is even partially correct, the acceptance of the Church’s teaching on contraception solves a lot of problems — problems we didn’t have before the almost-universal dissent from Humanae vitae.
And though I didn’t say a word about it in the scenario I outlined, just look at communities where the Traditional Latin Mass is celebrated (FSSP, SSPX, et al). Vocations abound. TLM adherents by and large accept the Church’s teaching on contraception.