Intention of NFP/Contraception

[Seatuck]

I am still unclear as to whether contraceptives are wrong during the infertile period? The post seemed to say that they are not a sin, but then continued to say that it was wrong to use the contraception.

Sorry, I thought you asked if marital relations during the infertile period were sinful. Contraception is an intrinsic evil . It is always a sin. Church teaching is clear on this.

Just to clarify your question-

Why would a couple use contraceptives during the infertile period?

 

[Good_Daughter]

NFP should not be used with a contraceptive mentaility, but it may morally be used provided the married couple has sufficiently serious reasons (not selfish or materialistic reasons) for wanting to avoid conception. I think the key is that as Christians were are not to impede the possibility of procreation by “interfering” in the conjugal act.

"…But when couples carry out conjugal acts on the infertile days exclusively, they are not frustrating the natural power and purpose of those acts that they perform on those days. Those particular acts do not have any natural [procreative] power and purpose to begin with. You cannot frustrate a nonexistent power or purpose."
This is pasted from a longer article, here: catholic.com/thisrock/2005/0502fea2.asp

You’ve asked a good question, and I too think you’ve asked in a most respectable way - no offense will be taken.

Peace all.

Now I’m confused about the article quote. I understand that conjugal acts carried out on infertile days do not have any *generative *power, but they still retain their procreative power.

Maybe the author means that conjugal acts carried out on infertile days, while still subjectively procreative, are not objectively procreative.

In any case, I share dumblondi16’s confusion. The article quoted above seems to say that infertile sex is non-procreative, which is incompatible with Catholic teaching. Is the author wrong, or am I understanding incorrectly?

 

[newbetx]

Now I’m confused about the article quote. I understand that conjugal acts carried out on infertile days do not have any *generative *power, but they still retain their procreative power.

Maybe the author means that conjugal acts carried out on infertile days, while still subjectively procreative, are not objectively procreative.

In any case, I share dumblondi16’s confusion. The article quoted above seems to say that infertile sex is non-procreative, which is incompatible with Catholic teaching. Is the author wrong, or am I understanding incorrectly?

I think your statement in the second paragraph is correct.

An act of intercourse is not to be “frustrated” by contraception. A contraceptive act includes using contraceptive tools (pills, barriers) or techniques (oral, withdrawl, etc.) that precludes the natural possibility of conception.

NFP is not contraception because there is no preclution of the possibility of conception. Possibility is different that probability. If you are in an unfertile time, the probablility is low or non-existant in nature. However God may have other plans and the act of sex is meant to be a serious consideration no matter where one is in ones cycle.

Does that help?

 

[Michael96]

I think most catholics in more crowded countries (in Europe) accept that contraception is often necessary once a family has been established. It’s a matter of conscience, and people’s individual circumstances will inform their conscience. I don’t, however, understand couples who marry and then never intend to have a family.

 

[newbetx]

I don’t, however, understand couples who marry and then never intend to have a family.

Does seem to contradict the basic purpose of marriage. Some like the other rights and priviledges it brings. It’s the same basic reason for contracepted sex. “I’m good with this much, but I’m not willing to go THAT far.”

I think most catholics in more crowded countries (in Europe) accept that contraception is often necessary once a family has been established.

Maybe they do. And I understand that infidelity may be more tolerated there. Do you know of any stats about divorce rates or teen pregnancy in Europe?

It’s a matter of conscience, and people’s individual circumstances will inform their conscience.

Somewhat the CCC says about having more children. Contemplative consideration with a well formed conscience.

 

[tassitus]

I think most catholics in more crowded countries (in Europe) accept that contraception is often necessary once a family has been established. It’s a matter of conscience, and people’s individual circumstances will inform their conscience. . .

You cannot get much further from Catholic teaching than this.

Contraception is NEVER necessary (however convenient it might be). Periodic abstinence MIGHT BE necessary, depending on the couple’s specific situation.

 

[TravisandJill]

Hi I have a question regarding NFP and spacing children. I have been doing some reading on the internet and some websites say that you have to have a “grave” or “Just” reason to avoid or space children. Other sites say that the church has removed the “grave” reason and just let parents decide to have children if/when they are ready.

Can someone point me to the official Church teaching is on this? Thank You!!!

 

[choose_to_love]

Travis and Jill,

You may want to start with Humanae Vitae vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.html available in that link and elsewhere. The link I provided (or, hopefully provided) is to the Vatican website, see section 10 on responsible parenthood. The translation on that site is serious reasons. IIRC, there is some debate about whether serious accurately captures the Latin, and some argue for grave as more appropriate.

Either way, I do not think it is accurate to state that parents may “decide to have children when they are ready”, taken alone. If you are married, then you are ready to have children; that is what our bodies, created in God’s image, are designed for, and procreation is one of the two purposes of sex within marriage. You would need an appropriately serious/just/grave reason to choose to postpone pregnancy, whether for a time or indefinitely. As Pope Paul states in Section 10 of HV as well - - “the exercise of responsible parenthood require that husband and wife, keeping a right order of priorities, recognize their own duties to God, themselves, their families, and human society.”

It is necessary, of course, that a couple have a prayer life so that they can be attempting to discern God’s will for them in a particular cycle; that’s why I would disagree with the way you stated your proposition about “when they are ready.”

You may also want to check out Castii Connubii vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.html

Living out your faith in this area is a great and exciting journey as a couple. My bride and I have been on it for eight years of marriage, and I can tell you it is a tremendous blessing.

 

[Good_Daughter]

I think your statement in the second paragraph is correct.

An act of intercourse is not to be “frustrated” by contraception. A contraceptive act includes using contraceptive tools (pills, barriers) or techniques (oral, withdrawl, etc.) that precludes the natural possibility of conception.

NFP is not contraception because there is no preclution of the possibility of conception. Possibility is different that probability. If you are in an unfertile time, the probablility is low or non-existant in nature. However God may have other plans and the act of sex is meant to be a serious consideration no matter where one is in ones cycle.

Does that help?

You always help.

I understand what you’re saying in your post. My question though was a bit narrower.

The article from This Rock seems to claim that infertile sex has no procreative power. I would argue that it does.

I also think dumblondi16 is wondering how something non-procreative can be kept procreative.

At best, I think the article’s author might explain Catholic teaching more clearly.

 

[tassitus]

…At best, I think the article’s author might explain Catholic teaching more clearly.

I have to agree. It must be said, however, that the article was really written to answer a different question, so we should not complain that it didn’t answer our question.

So, how about this one: catholic.com/thisrock/2003/0311fea3.asp?

If that isn’t it, there are many others - run a search on “nfp” on www.catholic.com’s main page and take your pick.

 

[Good_Daughter]

I have to agree. It must be said, however, that the article was really written to answer a different question, so we should not complain that it didn’t answer our question.

So, how about this one: catholic.com/thisrock/2003/0311fea3.asp?

If that isn’t it, there are many others - run a search on “nfp” on www.catholic.com’s main page and take your pick.

Excellent. I added that article to my list of favourites ages ago!

Thanks for some great links.

 

[newbetx]

Hi I have a question regarding NFP and spacing children. I have been doing some reading on the internet and some websites say that you have to have a “grave” or “Just” reason to avoid or space children. Other sites say that the church has removed the “grave” reason and just let parents decide to have children if/when they are ready.

Can someone point me to the official Church teaching is on this? Thank You!!!

Grave and Just are words used to express the seriousness of the justification. A consideration not to be taken lightly. The CCC covers that. Sorry, I don’t have the exact paragraph.

In there it talks about being prudent in caring for your family. What does that mean to the couple? Catholic school, homeschool or public?
Do you save for your future retirement or plan to depend on you children? SO many angles to contemplate and THEN you have to determine if your “plan” is selfish or selfless. Then God may interject anyway.

I’ve seen people here use “grave” meaning only if death is a probability. I’ve seen other sources state that it’s a translation thing meaning serious. “Just” is a good word in my opinion because we can have a good feel for what is right or justifiable.