Is birth control pill not an option for rape victims?

[notredame_999]

Is the birth control pill never an option for rape victims? Is it a mortal sin? If I had a young daughter I don’t know what I would do.

 

[StTommyMore]

Is the birth control pill never an option for rape victims? Is it a mortal sin? If I had a young daughter I don’t know what I would do.

It is never acceptable. Rape is the only crime I know of that gets used to justify another evil act against an innocent.

 

[notredame_999]

It is never acceptable. Rape is the only crime I know of that gets used to justify another evil act against an innocent.

I said birth control pill not abortion.

Brith control and abortion are both mortal sins but for different reasons.

Birth control prevents life from being created, abortion destroys life already created.

 

[Timothysis]

It has always been the constant teaching of the Church that birth control is intrinsically evil, so it is incompatible with a Catholic lifestyle. One may think up a hundred reasons why it might be necessary, but the fact remains that it is never permissible…never…ever.

 

[Rence]

Is the birth control pill never an option for rape victims? Is it a mortal sin? If I had a young daughter I don’t know what I would do.

I know what I would do. I would bring her to the closest emergency room ASAP and adhere to the guidelines set forth by the US Bishops:

Emergency Contraception (Plan B) is allowed, in the emergency room, immediately after a rape, according to the US Bishops, under two conditions: 1) the rape victim must test negative for a pregnancy test (to make sure she wasn’t already pregnant before the rape), and 2) tests that she is not/has not ovulated. Then she can receive emergency contraception and still be within the guidelines of the Church. Here is more information that explains it, with references:

catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0566.html

The Directives state, “A woman who has been raped may defend herself against a conception resulting from sexual assault. If, after appropriate testing, there is no evidence that conception has occurred already, she may be treated with medication that would prevent ovulation, sperm capacitation, or fertilization. It is not permissible, however, to initiate or to recommend treatments that have as their purpose or direct effect the removal, destruction, or interference with the implantation of a fertilized ovum.”(no. 36)

The woman who is a victim of rape has the moral right to prevent the pregnancy for the following reasons: First, the rapist (including his sperm) is an unjust aggressor who has violated the woman’s dignity. Second, rape is an act of force and violence, unlike the conjugal love in marriage whereby both spouses give freely of themselves in an act of unitive and procreative love. Third, the woman is not responsible for the action, and thereby has the right to prevent the pregnancy. (Please note that for these three reasons, this guidance does not violate the Church’ s teaching regarding contraception as expressed in Humanae Vitae, which, because of the free-giving between spouses, stated, "Each and every marriage act must remain open to the transmission of life (no. 11).)

In preventing pregnancy, most rape treatment protocols recommend anti-fertility drugs to be administered within 72 hours and over a period of several days. These drugs, such as Ovral, inhibit ovulation.

and

before administering contraceptives to a rape victim, health care providers must ascertain first her medical history (including menstrual history, recent sexual activity, and contraceptive usage). A pregnancy test should be performed. If she is not pregnant but her medical history suggests the possibility that ovulation may have occurred, then health care providers ought to administer a Luteinizing Hormone urine dip test or a progesterone blood level test. These tests would indicate if ovulation has indeed occurred and thereby a child was possibly conceived. If these tests are not available in a timely way or at all, treatment should proceed as long as there is a reasonable doubt that ovulation has occurred.

 

[StTommyMore]

I said birth control pill not abortion.

Brith control and abortion are both mortal sins but for different reasons.

Birth control prevents life from being created, abortion destroys life already created.

The birth control pill works in two ways. First it prevents the woman form ovulating. Second, if the woman does ovulate, and the ovum is fertilized, the pill will prevent implantation. THis is a chemical abortion, and this is the only way it would work for rape victims, so you are most definitely advocating abortion.

 

[corsair]

You are correct St. T.More. There is Never a time when it is justified. And, yes, I raised two daughters and have 11 grand daughters. Not to mention 5 sons and 7 grand sons.

Who are we to take an innocent human life?

 

[VetA]

I know what I would do. I would bring her to the closest emergency room ASAP and adhere to the guidelines set forth by the US Bishops:

Emergency Contraception (Plan B) is allowed, in the emergency room, immediately after a rape, according to the US Bishops, under two conditions: 1) the rape victim must test negative for a pregnancy test (to make sure she wasn’t already pregnant before the rape), and 2) tests that she is not/has not ovulated. Then she can receive emergency contraception and still be within the guidelines of the Church. Here is more information that explains it, with references:

catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0566.html

and

i wonder what Rome says…

 

[Rence]

You are correct St. T.More. There is Never a time when it is justified. And, yes, I raised two daughters and have 11 grand daughters. Not to mention 5 sons and 7 grand sons.

Who are we to take an innocent human life?

Yep! That’s why the US Bishops allow emergency contraception to prevent conception, not abort. That’s why they’re so strict about their guidelines to use emergency contraception in a rape situation, but thankfully, they do allow it with those guidelines.

catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0566.html

 

[Rence]

i wonder what Rome says…

You wouldn’t have to wonder what Rome says if they were opposed to it. They are not shy about condoning or forbidding. Nothing from Rome contradicts or condemns what the US Bishops published regarding the usage of emergency contraception in the case of rape.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

With due respect Rence for both you and for Father William Saunders, an article from "The Catholic Education Center’ dated 2002 and based on Father’s “Straight Answers” column is not exactly the USCCB, is it?

 

[VetA]

You wouldn’t have to wonder what Rome says if they were opposed to it. They are not shy about condoning or forbidding. Nothing from Rome contradicts or condemns what the US Bishops published regarding the usage of emergency contraception in the case of rape.

still i would like to know what the Pope says about this… plus you are obliged to go by what the Bishop of your diocese says. your bishop is free to disagree withe the USCCB, you know

plus if you’ll notice, that is not the USCCB site…

 

[Rascalking]

Anyone who does not have just tremendous love and compassion for rape victims should hang their head in shame. Too often, people who are against abortion in cases of rape and incest (I am as well) forget about the rape itself, they just scream about not having an abortion.

Well, memo to all you people-the rape itself is the most horrendous crime in the world. My heart breaks for any woman who is attacked in that way. I think the assailant should be captured and put to death or life in prison without possibility of parole.

Having said all that, I don’t think a violent act can be compounded by another violent act. Rape is monstrous, disgusting and abhorrent. As is abortion.

The Pill/RU-486 is not the way to go-it just attempts to solve a problem with another one.

(By no means does everyone total pro-life person act the way I described. However, if the shoe fits, wear it)

 

[Rence]

still i would like to know what the Pope says about this… plus you are obliged to go by what the Bishop of your diocese says. your bishop is free to disagree withe the USCCB, you know

plus if you’ll notice, that is not the USCCB site…

My bishop doesn’t disagree.

If you’ll notice, in my first post, I said the article had references.
This is is from the USCCB site, for your reference:
nccbuscc.org/bishops/directives.shtml

From part 3, number 36

A female who has been raped should be able to defend herself against a potential conception from the sexual assault. If, after appropriate testing, there is no evidence that conception has occurred already, she may be treated with medications that would prevent ovulation, sperm capacitation, or fertilization. It is not permissible, however, to initiate or to recommend treatments that have as their purpose or direct effect the removal, destruction, or interference with the implantation of a fertilized ovum.19

 

[Rence]

Anyone who does not have just tremendous love and compassion for rape victims should hang their head in shame. Too often, people who are against abortion in cases of rape and incest (I am as well) forget about the rape itself, they just scream about not having an abortion.

Well, memo to all you people-the rape itself is the most horrendous crime in the world. My heart breaks for any woman who is attacked in that way. I think the assailant should be captured and put to death or life in prison without possibility of parole.

Having said all that, I don’t think a violent act can be compounded by another violent act. Rape is monstrous, disgusting and abhorrent. As is abortion.

The Pill/RU-486 is not the way to go-it just attempts to solve a problem with another one.

Exactly. That’s why the Bishops’ directives are so important. RU-486 is the abortion pill, and you wouldn’t want to take that. That’s not a preventative medication, it’s only for abortion.

The Bishops have approved of emergency contraception (levonorgestrel) only for cases of rape, and only within the first 72 hours. And only with a negative pregnancy test, and a test to ensure one has not conceived (ovulation test).

 

[revert_jen]

Anyone who does not have just tremendous love and compassion for rape victims should hang their head in shame. Too often, people who are against abortion in cases of rape and incest (I am as well) forget about the rape itself, they just scream about not having an abortion.

One never has the ability to change an action that has already occurred. If the premise is that the rape has already occurred, I’m not sure what it is that you are wanting people to do. The additional evil (to both the child and the mother) of abortion can yet be avoided. Love means desiring the best for another person. It means desiring them not to sin, not merely (in this case) because the sin would kill an innocent human, but also because sin injures the sinner. Hasn’t the rape victim been hurt enough? Does she need to be hurt further by being counseled to sin?

Well, memo to all you people-the rape itself is the most horrendous crime in the world.

As a person with every right to an opinion, murder (including abortion) is worse. You can heal from rape. It is very difficult, but it can be done. You can’t heal from death.

The measures from the bishops make sense, because they require that you ensure that conception hasn’t taken place already before administering any drugs, but, given that the swimmers can live for a few days, they do whatever possible to prevent any conception that has not taken place.

I have the fullest compassion for all victims of rape. Therefore I give the advice that I would wish to receive in all things–the advice of how to make any situation (even the most painful) an occasion to grow closer to God. Anything less, however well intentioned, is inauthentic love.

–Jen

 

[Rascalking]

One never has the ability to change an action that has already occurred. If the premise is that the rape has already occurred, I’m not sure what it is that you are wanting people to do. The additional evil (to both the child and the mother) of abortion can yet be avoided. Love means desiring the best for another person. It means desiring them not to sin, not merely (in this case) because the sin would kill an innocent human, but also because sin injures the sinner. Hasn’t the rape victim been hurt enough? Does she need to be hurt further by being counseled to sin?

As a person with every right to an opinion, murder (including abortion) is worse. You can heal from rape. It is very difficult, but it can be done. You can’t heal from death.

The measures from the bishops make sense, because they require that you ensure that conception hasn’t taken place already before administering any drugs, but, given that the swimmers can live for a few days, they do whatever possible to prevent any conception that has not taken place.

I have the fullest compassion for all victims of rape. Therefore I give the advice that I would wish to receive in all things–the advice of how to make any situation (even the most painful) an occasion to grow closer to God. Anything less, however well intentioned, is inauthentic love.

–Jen

Um, I’m not sure you really understood my post. Maybe I misunderstood yours. Sorry if I did.

Did you think I was arguing for abortion? I wasn’t. I mentioned that a few times, I think.

You are, without question entitled to your opinion. I respect it, but disagree with it. I think rape is worse BECAUSE a woman (or a man) HAS to live with it.

Again, just to be clear, I am TOTALLY against abortion. Even in cases of rape!

EDIT-I just re-read my post. In it, I do say I’m againt abortion even in cases of rape.

 

[revert_jen]

Um, I’m not sure you really understood my post. Maybe I misunderstood yours. Sorry if I did.

I’m not sure which it was either. I didn’t think you were advocating for abortion. I thought you were saying that people advocating against abortion instead of doing something (I’m not sure what exactly) about the rape that already happened were lacking in love and compassion. My point is that people advocating against abortion in cases of rape are already, just by advising the virtuous path, showing authentic love for the rape victims.

You are, without question entitled to your opinion. I respect it, but disagree with it. I think rape is worse BECAUSE a woman (or a man) HAS to live with it.

Sorry, I was trying to be too coded. It is better if I just come out with it. I am a rape victim. That is why I have “every right to an opinion.” I do not feel that I would be better off dead (although there were times…). If it is worse to rape someone than to murder them, then using strict logic, it would be better for me if I were dead. Given the state of my soul at the time it happened, I can promise you that that is not the case.

–Jen

 

[notredame_999]

i should have clarified plan b not the typical birth control pill. So my understanding from reading these posts is that the church really has neither condoned nor condemned plan b after 72 hours of a rape if the proper tests are given?

 

[Rascalking]

I’m not sure which it was either. I didn’t think you were advocating for abortion. I thought you were saying that people advocating against abortion instead of doing something (I’m not sure what exactly) about the rape that already happened were lacking in love and compassion. My point is that people advocating against abortion in cases of rape are already, just by advising the virtuous path, showing authentic love for the rape victims.

Sorry, I was trying to be too coded. It is better if I just come out with it. I am a rape victim. That is why I have “every right to an opinion.” I do not feel that I would be better off dead (although there were times…). If it is worse to rape someone than to murder them, then using strict logic, it would be better for me if I were dead. Given the state of my soul at the time it happened, I can promise you that that is not the case.

–Jen

My heart goes out to you as a victim of rape. I know a victim as well. She feels the same way I do.

God bless.