Help needed with true Catholic Teaching on "Family Planning"

[beeper]

I have a situation/question that I am hoping someone can answer with evidence from Catholic teaching/doctrine/dogma etc. This couple has been Catholic their entire lives and now has their 6th child on the way. They have tried to remain faithful to the “family planning” method but still keep having kids. They are considering having one of them “fixed” but was unsure where exactly the Catholic Church stood on this issue. I always thought the Chruch taught that if the mother’s life would be endangered by becoming pregnant again this procedure may be expectable. However, are their other situations where this is acceptable by the Church ( finances, mental health etc.)? Thank you so much for anyone who responds.

 

[1ke]

I have a situation/question that I am hoping someone can answer with evidence from Catholic teaching/doctrine/dogma etc. This couple has been Catholic their entire lives and now has their 6th child on the way. They have tried to remain faithful to the “family planning” method but still keep having kids.

Which one is that? Sympto-Thermal? Creighton? Billings? Have they met with their teacher to go over their charts and understand where their issue is?

Perhaps they should consider a different method since the one they have is not working.

They are considering having one of them “fixed” but was unsure where exactly the Catholic Church stood on this issue.

From the Catechism, bolding is mine: 2399 The regulation of births represents one of the aspects of responsible fatherhood and motherhood. Legitimate intentions on the part of the spouses do not justify recourse to **morally unacceptable means **(for example, direct **sterilization **or contraception).

I always thought the Chruch taught that if the mother’s life would be endangered by becoming pregnant again this procedure may be expectable.

No. This is inaccurate. A person who is advised not to have more children may use natural family planning based on periodic abstinence.

A person who has a diseased organ may have it removed-- for exapmple a hysterectomy for medical purposes because of cancer, rupture, etc.-- because the resulting sterility is unintended and not the purpose of the procedure.

A tubal ligation and a vasectomy have only **one **purpose-- contraception. That is ALWAYS gravely wrong. A tubal ligation and a vasectomy have no medical purpose to treat a diseased condition.

However, are their other situations where this is acceptable by the Church ( finances, mental health etc.)? Thank you so much for anyone who responds.

No.

 

[Seatuck]

They are considering having one of them “fixed” but was unsure where exactly the Catholic Church stood on this issue.

Please try not to use a phrase such as this with regard to human beings made in the image of Christ. This is a term for animals and veterinary procedures . It is not fitting when discussing the beings with the dignity of humans. I’m sure you meant no disrespect .

No, direct sterilization is not allowable except as a secondary side effect of another procedure. For instance if there was cancer of the uterus and a hysterctomy was prescibed. That’s allowed because the intention is to make the woman healthy or save her life . Sterilization is not the intent of the operation.

Periodic abstinence is allowed for family planning. It sounds like this couple could use some more training in the use of a particular method or some pastoral guidance. I agree with the previous poster. They need some one on one teaching.

 

[beeper]

Please try not to use a phrase such as this with regard to human beings made in the image of Christ. This is a term for animals and veterinary procedures . It is not fitting when discussing the beings with the dignity of humans. I’m sure you meant no disrespect .

Thank you for correcting me. I am sorry about using the word “fixed”. I should chosen my words more wisely.

 

[beeper]

Which one is that? Sympto-Thermal? Creighton? Billings? Have they met with their teacher to go over their charts and understand where their issue is?

I believe that they are using the temperature method. Do you know which one this is (Sympto-thermal, Creighton, Billings)? Or, are all of these different types of the temperature method? Also, could be briefly explain the differences between them? Sorry my knowledge is very limited in this area and I do appreciate you taking the time to respond. Thanks

 

[Socio_Momma]

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_31071994_uterine-isolation_en.html

this might also help the couple understand more about the Church’s teaching on why there is no allowance for sterlization as part of family planning in relation to a mother’s health.

 

[gardenswithkids]

I have a situation/question that I am hoping someone can answer with evidence from Catholic teaching/doctrine/dogma etc. This couple has been Catholic their entire lives and now has their 6th child on the way. They have tried to remain faithful to the “family planning” method but still keep having kids. They are considering having one of them “fixed” but was unsure where exactly the Catholic Church stood on this issue…

Note that the Catechism presents direct sterilization as an example of a morally unacceptable means of regulating birth. From the Catechism 2399: The regulation of births represents one of the aspects of responsible fatherhood and motherhood. Legitimate intentions on the part of the spouses do not justify recourse to morally unacceptable means, (for example, direct sterilization or contraception.)

Please congratulate this couple on their sixth child. Perhaps what really needs to be “fixed” is their attitude and the attitude of the people around them. Here’s another quote from the Catechism 2373 Sacred Scripture and the Church’s traditional practice see large families as a sign of God’s blessing and the parents’ generosity.

Here’s an example that Sacred Scripture regards children as blessings. Psalm 127: “Children too are gifts from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior, are the children born in one’s youth. Blessed are they whose quivers are full.”

 

[kage_ar]

Two well-known mucus-only methods are the Billings ovulation method and the Creighton Model FertilityCare System. If two or more signs are tracked, the method is referred to as a symptothermal method. Two popular symptothermal systems are that taught by the Couple to Couple League and the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM). The Marquette Method uses a computer fertility monitor.

 

[1ke]

I believe that they are using the temperature method. Do you know which one this is (Sympto-thermal, Creighton, Billings)?

Sympto-Thermal uses temperature along with other signs of fertility.

Creighton and Billings use mucus only.

The Marquette Model is another that some on this board use. It combines Creighton with a fertility monitor that the couple purchases.

Also, could be briefly explain the differences between them?

Visit their websites:

www.ccli.org
www.fertilitycare.org and/or www.creightonmodel.com
www.boma-usa.org
www.marquette.edu/nursing/NFP/Model.shtml

 

[nateangie]

hello I am the wife of the couple that beeper (my cousin) had the question about. we have used this meathod for over 8 years it is the symtom thermal meathod of nfp we use the mucus meathod more because it is more accurate any one can have a slight fever at any time.and every time i become pregnant we go back to the book and take the class again.we practicilly have the class and the book memorized so not doing it right is not the problem, not knowing the method is not the problem either, we are doing everything that the class, priest teachers and the book are telling us and i still end up pregnant it must be my cycle. we arenot mentally or finantually capable of taking care of more kids. please let me know what kind of birth control we can use. we are faithful catholics:confused

 

[Em_in_FL]

hello I am the wife of the couple that beeper (my cousin) had the question about. we have used this meathod for over 8 years it is the symtom thermal meathod of nfp we use the mucus meathod more because it is more accurate any one can have a slight fever at any time.and every time i become pregnant we go back to the book and take the class again.we practicilly have the class and the book memorized so not doing it right is not the problem, not knowing the method is not the problem either, we are doing everything that the class, priest teachers and the book are telling us and i still end up pregnant it must be my cycle. we arenot mentally or finantually capable of taking care of more kids. please let me know what kind of birth control we can use. we are faithful catholics:confused

First off… I’m sorry you are struggling.
As stated in the posts above, there are no artificial means of birth control that are acceptable by the church.

Do you mind if I ask more specific questions about your charts/cycles? Sometimes a different perspective can help!
Feel free to PM (private message) me if you feel uncomfortable posting.

Do you have “regular” cycles or are they variable from month to month?
Are you currently breastfeeding?
Have you ever become pregnant while breastfeeding (before your cycles are reestablished)?
How are you checking your mucous signs? Internally or externally?
Are you also checking your cervical position?
I know you mentioned dropping the temperature sign… is it possible to start taking that again?
Did you take your temperature at exactly the same time, every day, first thing in the morning?
Did you note disturbances on your chart (like illness that would cause a fever, or sleep disturbances)?
Is it possible that you are close to menopause?

Like I said, I’m not questioning your knowledge or anything… just sometimes an outside perspective can help.

 

[motherofsix]

Please try not to use a phrase such as this with regard to human beings made in the image of Christ. This is a term for animals and veterinary procedures . It is not fitting when discussing the beings with the dignity of humans. I’m sure you meant no disrespect .

No, direct sterilization is not allowable except as a secondary side effect of another procedure. For instance if there was cancer of the uterus and a hysterctomy was prescibed. That’s allowed because the intention is to make the woman healthy or save her life . Sterilization is not the intent of the operation.

Periodic abstinence is allowed for family planning. It sounds like this couple could use some more training in the use of a particular method or some pastoral guidance. I agree with the previous poster. They need some one on one teaching.

OK I tried to read more posts, but I can’t till I address this one. Using the term “fixed” is not at all disrespectful. If you live in the south, it is the acceptable term used. Don’t feel like you disrespected anyone or needed to be corrected. I thik it is a shame that someone would correct you when you were asking for help. OH and just so ya’ll know, I do not argree with the “fixing” of women. If it ain’t broke, don’t FIX it.

 

[kevinsgirl]

First off… I’m sorry you are struggling.
As stated in the posts above, there are no artificial means of birth control that are acceptable by the church.

Do you mind if I ask more specific questions about your charts/cycles? Sometimes a different perspective can help!
Feel free to PM (private message) me if you feel uncomfortable posting.

Do you have “regular” cycles or are they variable from month to month?
Are you currently breastfeeding?
Have you ever become pregnant while breastfeeding (before your cycles are reestablished)?
How are you checking your mucous signs? Internally or externally?
Are you also checking your cervical position?
I know you mentioned dropping the temperature sign… is it possible to start taking that again?
Did you take your temperature at exactly the same time, every day, first thing in the morning?
Did you note disturbances on your chart (like illness that would cause a fever, or sleep disturbances)?
Is it possible that you are close to menopause?

Like I said, I’m not questioning your knowledge or anything… just sometimes an outside perspective can help.

Ditto what Em said! As a Catholic, you can’t use contraception, but we can try to help you as much as we can with the NFP.

 

[nateangie]

okay so if the catholic church says you can’t use birth control how many children are you suppose to have. are you just suppose to keep on having kids till your health fails and when is enough enough? the bible says a full quiver is a blessed quiver so whats a full quiver and isn’t your responsibility to take care of the children you have, i don’t think God wants you to keep on having children if they are going hungry and not gettting any attention. we are using the symto-thermal method and we know the book by heart and it hasnt worked 6 times i know i am doing everything right. i have even asked the teachers and priests what i am doing wrong and they say nothing, they don’t know why i keep on getting pregnant they say i shouldn’t be. please help mom of 5 with one only 6 months old and another on the way.

 

[manualman]

The catholic church does not stipulate how many children you must have. She speaks out against false promises that sound good, but are actually bad for our bodies and souls.

The real problem here is that our medical system is married to a moral system that is opposed to catholicism. OB doctors today don’t want to “waste time” on anything more complex than getting you on the pill.

Pregnancy can only occur while the woman is fertile. There can be tricks and hitches to learning how to perceive when this is so, but it CAN be scientifically determined, even in tougher cases. I’d suggest actively looking for an OB who believes in NFP. They are rare, but do exist. This can be a good place to start:

www.popepaulvi.com/

 

[Em_in_FL]

please help mom of 5 with one only 6 months old and another on the way.

Ummm… I’m trying to help… if you’d answer my questions!

No, the church does not say you have to keep on having kids… the church says that the marital act must be both procreative and unitive… any form of artificial birth control will destroy those requirements. The only method that will keep those elements in tact is NFP.

 

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

Ummm… I’m trying to help… if you’d answer my questions!

No, the church does not say you have to keep on having kids… the church says that the marital act must be both procreative and unitive… any form of artificial birth control will destroy those requirements. The only method that will keep those elements in tact is NFP.

Yes, and until you can figure out why the NFP is not working for avoiding, abstinence is your only moral option (and I speak as someone who has had to do A LOT of that in my marriage over the past 2 years).

 

[gardenswithkids]

okay so if the catholic church says you can’t use birth control how many children are you suppose to have. are you just suppose to keep on having kids till your health fails and when is enough enough? the bible says a full quiver is a blessed quiver so whats a full quiver and isn’t your responsibility to take care of the children you have, i don’t think God wants you to keep on having children if they are going hungry and not gettting any attention. we are using the symto-thermal method and we know the book by heart and it hasnt worked 6 times i know i am doing everything right. i have even asked the teachers and priests what i am doing wrong and they say nothing, they don’t know why i keep on getting pregnant they say i shouldn’t be. please help mom of 5 with one only 6 months old and another on the way.

Prayers for you, Nateangie. You seem to be trying hard to follow the Church teachings, yet struggling with them right now. No doubt about it, these teachings are hard to live.

Clarification: the Church teaches against *artificial *means of birth control. (Some will argue that NFP isn’t birth control, but NFP attempts to regulate birth and the Church is okay with that method of regulating birth if there is reason to avoid pregnancy/more children.) The Church does *not *require a woman to keep getting pregnant when pregnancy poses a risk to her health or to the family’s ability to provide for the children they already have.

Most every methods of birth control has a “failure rate”, including sterilization and NFP. Some couples are particularly fertile. (The Bible regards fertility also as a sign of God’s blessing. We live in a culture that does not view fertility and children they way God does.) As you haven’t found NFP effective for you, total abstinence could also be a way to regulate birth. Total abstinence is the one method of regulating birth that is 100% effective, except for a few special women like the Virgin Mary. Abstinence probably isn’t the choice you were hoping to read, but it is a very effective alternative.

There are other methods of NFP beyond sympto-thermal and technology has helped develop fertility monitors that may interest you. I don’t know much about those, and I will let the many people better versed about the specifics address that. You could also check old threads as I know this has come up many times before.

I pray that God guards you health during this pregnancy and that He provides for you and your children during financial hardship. May God give you abundant grace to live out the Church teachings until your fertility comes to a natural end. God bless you and your family.

 

[AeroChunky]

The real problem here is that our medical system is married to a moral system that is opposed to catholicism.

No, it seems the real problem is that NFP is not working for her. Catholocims does not have an answer except “keep doing what you are doing”…and in her case that means keep on having babies, or stop having sex alltogether…what a cross that will be on the marriage!

She can’t go on like this.

Nateangie, there is no help…it’s nfp or no sex. That’s the catholic’s teachings and there are no solutions if you are a faithfull Catholic, unfortunately.
I’m so sorry…

 

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

Clarification: the Church teaches against *artificial *means of birth control.

**

Sorry, i must clarify your clarification

The Church teaches against “contraception”. There are means of contraception that are natural (i.e. not artificial) like “pulling out” but they are no more moral just because they aren’t artificial.

Anything that deliberately separates the act from BOTH purposes (unitive and procreative) is immoral.**