Using NFP to avoid having children for no other reason than just not wanting them is also sinful.
Actually, you pose a very good question. For some, it would be selfishness, being able to have and provide for a child, but not wanting to put in the money (and it
does cost!), time, resources, effort, and heartache. Marriage has traditionally been taught by the Church as existing primarily for the begetting and upbringing of children; it is difficult to understand, given this, how a couple with no grave/serious reason to attempt
not to have a child, of childbearing age, not knowing themselves to be infertile (very often, “you never know until you try”), could deliberately exclude a child permanently and remain within God’s plan for marriage in general, and for their marriage in particular. If NFP can be used for any reason whatsoever, the teachings of Pius XI and Pius XII don’t make much sense.
Intending not to have children because you are placing your own will above God’s, whether it be saving money for a new car or just don’t want the stress and time commitment that comes with raising a child, is sinful.
Quite right. What might appear frivolous to an outsider, would actually be a very compelling reason. Cars are not cheap anymore, and when you buy a used one, you’re buying all the problems (if any) that the previous owner had with them, and some people have to make every penny count (yours truly among them). A family of any size needs a reliable vehicle that isn’t in the shop constantly.
Should be required reading for every married couple (along with
Humanae vitae and
Casti connubii).
