Is it okay to sell contraceptives?

[Cirdan_XII]

A Catholic friend of mine recently got a new job as manager of a chemist’s shop. Some days ago I went to visit him in his new shop and noticed he sold contraceptives. Afterwards I asked him who he could conciliate that with his Catholic faith. He said that he didn’t encourage anybody to use them, but if they asked for them it was only fair that they should have them.

Now of course I understand that he was probably bending logics here. After all, he would probably be fired if he didn’t sell certain products, and the products on sale are not selected by individual shop managers but by the large corporation that owns the shop. But just out of interest, what would really be the right thing? If he didn’t sell them, he wouldn’t prevent people using them as there are plenty of other places that sell them.

And then by extension, what about other jobs? For example I work for a company that makes handling and tooling automation systems for manufacturing industries. Our customers include pharmaceutical factories and maybe our machines pacakage contraceptives? I don’t know. Or what about the guy who repairs the road. Surely he is enabling trucks to deliver contraceptives. Where does the responsibility stop?

 

[Willy_Jose]

It seems to me that your Catholic friend is culpable for immediate material cooperation in evil. His culpability though, may be diminished by an innocent ignorance of the ethical principle, so it is advised that he examines the morality of his involvement and act accordingly.

There is also such a thing as passive, remote cooperation in evil, which is not necessarily illicit from a moral standpoint. This appears to applicable in your case involving supplying automation systems.

It is an ethical principle. Google ‘cooperation in evil’ and you would get many resources. Perhaps the topic has been extensively covered here in CAF as well so you should probably do your search in this forum first. I have also made a brief post here link] which might be helpful.

 

[friendofNAEYC]

I know plenty of committed married Catholics who practice birth control. In my parents generation, there were plenty of Catholics who participated in premarital sex among other things and more than a few got pregnant before their wedding date. My mother was pregnant before her wedding date and she told me it’s because the birth control pill wasn’t available to her back then. The Catholic church has always had a “don’t ask don’t tell” policy about a number of taboo subjects.

In the teaching community where I am employed, we have a saying, “Model appropriate behavior.” I am not allowed to be critical of another educator’s teaching style. All I can do is model appropriate behavior. I can’t go around and try to offer unsolicited advice on how to improve or change the teaching style of another. You could do the same. Just model the proper behavior. If the Catholic’s don’t believe in using condoms, then you would be doing the right thing by not using them. Please don’t try to change other people and make them see the world through the filter of your idealism. Model appropriate behavior and maybe it will inspire others to do the same.

 

[surritter]

I know plenty of committed married Catholics who practice birth control. In my parents generation, there were plenty of Catholics who participated in premarital sex among other things and more than a few got pregnant before their wedding date. My mother was pregnant before her wedding date and she told me it’s because the birth control pill wasn’t available to her back then. The Catholic church has always had a “don’t ask don’t tell” policy about a number of taboo subjects.

In the teaching community where I am employed, we have a saying, “Model appropriate behavior.” I am not allowed to be critical of another educator’s teaching style. All I can do is model appropriate behavior. I can’t go around and try to offer unsolicited advice on how to improve or change the teaching style of another. You could do the same. Just model the proper behavior. If the Catholic’s don’t believe in using condoms, then you would be doing the right thing by not using them. Please don’t try to change other people and make them see the world through the filter of your idealism. Model appropriate behavior and maybe it will inspire others to do the same.

I must respectfully point out that the first three sentences of your post are completely irrelevant. Are you saying that just because many people do something, then it suddenly becomes moral? That is not what Catholics (and simple logic) believe.

As far as “don’t ask don’t tell,” there actually is a time to ask and tell: it’s called the Sacrament of Reconciliation. (But in public – at Mass, etc. – it’s true that we don’t march around quizzing people about their behavior behind closed doors.)

You also state, “Please don’t try to change other people and make them see the world through the filter of your idealism.” I can’t find that sentiment anywhere is the Gospels! We are to go out and make disciples of all nations. This includes “fraternal correction,” when done in a loving and non-triumphalistic way. Finally, you should read Willy’s post. While prudence is always a factor, we can’t simply hide the light under a bushel basket! The OP’s situation does have some nuances to it, but we shouldn’t simply advise that a Catholic simply bury his faith and conform to our twisted society.

 

[Willy_Jose]

I know plenty of committed married Catholics who practice birth control. In my parents generation, there were plenty of Catholics who participated in premarital sex among other things and more than a few got pregnant before their wedding date. My mother was pregnant before her wedding date and she told me it’s because the birth control pill wasn’t available to her back then. The Catholic church has always had a “don’t ask don’t tell” policy about a number of taboo subjects.

In the teaching community where I am employed, we have a saying, “Model appropriate behavior.” I am not allowed to be critical of another educator’s teaching style. All I can do is model appropriate behavior. I can’t go around and try to offer unsolicited advice on how to improve or change the teaching style of another. You could do the same. Just model the proper behavior. If the Catholic’s don’t believe in using condoms, then you would be doing the right thing by not using them. Please don’t try to change other people and make them see the world through the filter of your idealism. Model appropriate behavior and maybe it will inspire others to do the same.

I am not sure if there is indeed a “don’t ask don’t tell policy” in the Catholic Church. What is the theological basis of your assertion? I am quite aware that Vatican II asserted that lay people also share in the priestly ministry of Jesus, I just can’t place it where exactly but maybe I can look it up for later. We also have the duty to evangelize, whether it is insolicited or not because it is our duty to do so and falls under charitable acts. But of course we should temper it according to specific circumstances. I agree with the “model appropriate behavior” part.

 

[JRKH]

A Catholic friend of mine recently got a new job as manager of a chemist’s shop. Some days ago I went to visit him in his new shop and noticed he sold contraceptives. Afterwards I asked him who he could conciliate that with his Catholic faith. He said that he didn’t encourage anybody to use them, but if they asked for them it was only fair that they should have them.
**Now of course I understand that he was probably bending logics here. After all, he would probably be fired if he didn’t sell certain products, and the products on sale are not selected by individual shop managers but by the large corporation that owns the shop. **But just out of interest, what would really be the right thing? If he didn’t sell them, he wouldn’t prevent people using them as there are plenty of other places that sell them.

And then by extension, what about other jobs? For example I work for a company that makes handling and tooling automation systems for manufacturing industries. Our customers include pharmaceutical factories and maybe our machines pacakage contraceptives? I don’t know. Or what about the guy who repairs the road. Surely he is enabling trucks to deliver contraceptives. Where does the responsibility stop?

Your friend is not doing anything wrong.
The bolded section above clarifies the situation. He does not buy these items, nor does he encourage their use. BUT as an employee (a person under authority) he is obligated to complete the transactions on the items that corporate chooses to sell.
If it were me, I would make a point of stopping by the contraceptive area at least once a day and pray for the conversion of souls. I might even consider (quietly) sprinkling a bit of holy water across the display…

As to the products you make - they can be used to package contraceptives or cancer cures - you cannot know. Roads transport ambulances as well as delivery trucks…
Troubling yourself about these things begins to get into issues of scrupulousity.

Peace
James

 

[1ke]

I know plenty of committed married Catholics who practice birth control. In my parents generation, there were plenty of Catholics who participated in premarital sex among other things and more than a few got pregnant before their wedding date.

Yes, there are many sinners in need of salvation.

My mother was pregnant before her wedding date and she told me it’s because the birth control pill wasn’t available to her back then.

Well no, it’s because she failed to remain chaste and committed fornication with your father.

The Catholic church has always had a “don’t ask don’t tell” policy about a number of taboo subjects.

This is absolutely false and cannot be substantiated, however it is easily refuted by the copious number of Church documents that speak against these evils, the multitude of homilies, speeches, declarations, and etc, given by priests, bishops, and the Pope.

In the teaching community where I am employed, we have a saying, “Model appropriate behavior.” I am not allowed to be critical of another educator’s teaching style. All I can do is model appropriate behavior. I can’t go around and try to offer unsolicited advice on how to improve or change the teaching style of another.

These are areas of prudential judgment, not moral law, therefore such an approach is an appropriate one.

You could do the same. Just model the proper behavior. If the Catholic’s don’t believe in using condoms, then you would be doing the right thing by not using them. Please don’t try to change other people and make them see the world through the filter of your idealism. Model appropriate behavior and maybe it will inspire others to do the same.

Since these are areas of the moral law, we have a larger obligation. From the Catechism:

1868 Sin is a personal act. Moreover, we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them:

• by participating directly and voluntarily in them;
• by ordering, advising, praising, or approving them;
• by not disclosing or not hindering them when we have an obligation to do so;
• by protecting evil-doers.

 

[Monica4316]

I know plenty of committed married Catholics who practice birth control.

Just because people do it, does not make it morally right… the Catechism says that contraceptive methods are “intrinsically evil”. The Catechism, the Holy Father, Humanae Vitae, Vatican II documents, and early Church Fathers all agree that contraception is sinful. For this reason we should not encourage it.

 

[Monica4316]

I think that yes it is wrong to sell contraceptives… the example about repairing the road, etc, does not apply in the same way, because it’s not direct cooperation. But directly selling contraceptives or encouraging someone to use them is objectively cooperating in evil. I can’t comment on the conscience of your friend, but it is basically selling something to people that would allow them to sin.

 

[surritter]

Your friend is not doing anything wrong.
The bolded section above clarifies the situation. He does not buy these items, nor does he encourage their use. BUT as an employee (a person under authority) he is obligated to complete the transactions on the items that corporate chooses to sell.

Peace
James

Hi James – I’m not saying I necessarily disagree with your main point, but the part I quoted above is somewhat tenuous: Were Nazi soldiers off the hook merely because they “followed orders” of their superiors? I don’t think so.

On the other hand, there is something about the need to hold a job, which the Church would recognize, so I’m not sure how to reconcile these two thoughts. But simply because the employee’s authority says he must do something doesn’t mean he’s obligated to do it by the moral law.

 

[Willy_Jose]

…A Catholic friend of mine recently got a new job as manager of a chemist’s shop. Some days ago I went to visit him in his new shop and noticed he sold contraceptives. Afterwards I asked him who he could conciliate that with his Catholic faith. He said that he didn’t encourage anybody to use them, but if they asked for them it was only fair that they should have them…

Yes, your friend did not encourage anybody to use the contraceptive he sells (as part of his job working in that store) but that does not automatically get him off the hook. He is certainly not guilty of formal cooperation in evil because he does not share the evil intention, but he may be guilty of material cooperation in evil by his degree of cooperation and proximity in selling those contraceptives.

 

[JRKH]

Hi James – I’m not saying I necessarily disagree with your main point, but the part I quoted above is somewhat tenuous: Were Nazi soldiers off the hook merely because they “followed orders” of their superiors? I don’t think so.

On the other hand, there is something about the need to hold a job, which the Church would recognize, so I’m not sure how to reconcile these two thoughts. But simply because the employee’s authority says he must do something doesn’t mean he’s obligated to do it by the moral law.

I wondered if someone would bring the “Nazi” up…

Let me put it this way - a 'Nazi soldier" was a Nazi because he believed in Nazism. As such he carries culpabilty. A German soldier forced, under threat or coersion (even subtle), to do immoral things is under somewhat less culpability.
I will leave it to God to sort out these issues.

As to the person in the OP. His primary duty is to support himself and his family. If he is single, perhaps a case could be made that he should quit and take a job without this conflict. If he has a family, the matter becomes more complicated. Also - economic conditions can complicate matters (likelyhood of finding another job etc.
Catholics and Christians in general will always be faced with these types of conflicts to greater of lesser extent. The best we can do is to make a judgement, as best as we can in light of prayerful reflection and possibly with the (name removed by moderator)ut of a good confessor/advisor.

Peace
James

 

[Rence]

A Catholic friend of mine recently got a new job as manager of a chemist’s shop. Some days ago I went to visit him in his new shop and noticed he sold contraceptives. Afterwards I asked him who he could conciliate that with his Catholic faith. He said that he didn’t encourage anybody to use them, but if they asked for them it was only fair that they should have them.

Now of course I understand that he was probably bending logics here. After all, he would probably be fired if he didn’t sell certain products, and the products on sale are not selected by individual shop managers but by the large corporation that owns the shop. But just out of interest, what would really be the right thing? If he didn’t sell them, he wouldn’t prevent people using them as there are plenty of other places that sell them.

And then by extension, what about other jobs? For example I work for a company that makes handling and tooling automation systems for manufacturing industries. Our customers include pharmaceutical factories and maybe our machines pacakage contraceptives? I don’t know. Or what about the guy who repairs the road. Surely he is enabling trucks to deliver contraceptives. Where does the responsibility stop?

You’re right, there are plenty of places that sell them, and you can get them online as well. Delivered straight to one’s door.

Well, first of all, many women are prescribed contraceptives for medical reasons, and this of course, is allowed by the Church. A pharmacist is not privy to the reasons why someone is prescribed a medication. And I certainly don’t provide that information for any medication to my pharmacist, for any of my medications. It’s just none of his business and is a matter between a doctor/prescriber and a patient. That aside…

If he works for a pharmacy that sells contraceptives, he can try to find another person to actually do the selling (usually a tech rings up my medications when I go to the pharmacy), but if there is no one available, and the pharmacy does sell them, he has to do his job or risk losing it. If he’s the only one there to do the job, then he has to fullful the job description. If he’s fine with that, then he can go ahead and refuse to sell them, but the patient willl just get them elsewhere, which makes it all a moot point. But it would be best if he would just get a job that didn’t sell contraceptives. It is perfectly legal for a pharmacy to post a sign saying that they don’t sell contraceptives and that protects their workers, as well as their potential customers. But if the pharmacy does sell them, he has to do his job or risk losing it.

He also, on the flipside, can take the opportunity to mention natural family planning, and of course it is his job to list the side effects of the contraceptives as he’s handing it over to the patient. All of which would be useless if he outright refuses to sell the medications to the patient, and alientates her. Pharmacists have a really good teaching opportunity, and armed with the right resources (book lists, statistics, articles), can reach a lot more people than those who outright insult and alienate a patient, who will just take her business elsewhere.

 

[Willy_Jose]

I agree there is not enough information of detailed circumstances in the OP, that is why I am also guarded in saying the store manager “may be guilty of material cooperation” - depending on actual circumstances. The likelihood of earning a livelihood for the family does complicate matters, and could lessen culpability. The more concrete issue which stands therefore is whether the store manager is aware of the moral implications that accompanies his job so he can make the proper plan of action- which does not put his family at financial risk and at the same time make him morally at ease.

 

[ConstantineTG]

A Catholic friend of mine recently got a new job as manager of a chemist’s shop. Some days ago I went to visit him in his new shop and noticed he sold contraceptives. Afterwards I asked him who he could conciliate that with his Catholic faith. He said that he didn’t encourage anybody to use them, but if they asked for them it was only fair that they should have them.

Now of course I understand that he was probably bending logics here. After all, he would probably be fired if he didn’t sell certain products, and the products on sale are not selected by individual shop managers but by the large corporation that owns the shop. But just out of interest, what would really be the right thing? If he didn’t sell them, he wouldn’t prevent people using them as there are plenty of other places that sell them.

And then by extension, what about other jobs? For example I work for a company that makes handling and tooling automation systems for manufacturing industries. Our customers include pharmaceutical factories and maybe our machines pacakage contraceptives? I don’t know. Or what about the guy who repairs the road. Surely he is enabling trucks to deliver contraceptives. Where does the responsibility stop?

From what I understand, as long as the business is not geared towards selling only contraceptives, then its okay. Also if he’s not pushing for the product, as he said. Because if you think about it, most of us one way or another are connected to a company that supports some kind of immoral activity. Would a pediatrician working in a hospital performing abortions be sinning? Would the guy working at 7-11 be sinning as 7-11 sells condoms as well? What if you’re working for a pharmaseutical company? A pharmacist? The US government?

 

[surritter]

I wondered if someone would bring the “Nazi” up…

Let me put it this way - a 'Nazi soldier" was a Nazi because he believed in Nazism. As such he carries culpabilty. A German soldier forced, under threat or coersion (even subtle), to do immoral things is under somewhat less culpability.
I will leave it to God to sort out these issues.

Nazi / German – come on, you know what I meant.

If anyone is directly commanded to do something he knows to be intrinsically evil (whether he is a firm believer in the ideology or was simply conscripted), he is obligated to NOT do it.

But as Willy Jose posted: to actually ring up a sale at the register of condoms is not actually committing an intrinsic evil; it may be some form of “cooperation.” What if someone is purchasing them for a non-sexual use? (Scientific study, etc.)

I think James and Constantine put it best: there are gray areas in this spectrum, and a Catholic must be well-versed in our Catechism and/or seek the advice of a competent spiritual director in order to navigate the OP’s situation.

 

[JRKH]

Nazi / German – come on, you know what I meant.

I appreciate that but…
I have gotten myself in more trouble by making assumptions about what people “meant” so I always try to make a point of acting on what they write rather than what they might or might not have meant.

If anyone is directly commanded to do something he knows to be intrinsically evil (whether he is a firm believer in the ideology or was simply conscripted), he is obligated to NOT do it.

Agreed this is the idea, but…
A German citizen consripted into the Wehrmacht is considerably different than a Nazi who is a volunteer and member of the SS.
The SS volunteer will gladly follow the orders believing them to be quite correct, while the conscript may follow the orders only to avoid his own death.
It is difficult for us to measure culpability in these cases with any accuracty so I don’t try…
I would also like to point out that in the OP scenerio there is not this type of cohersion or threat applied. Just a normal need to make a living component.

But as Willy Jose posted: to actually ring up a sale at the register of condoms is not actually committing an intrinsic evil; it may be some form of “cooperation.” What if someone is purchasing them for a non-sexual use? (Scientific study, etc.)

I think James and Constantine put it best: there are gray areas in this spectrum, and a Catholic must be well-versed in our Catechism and/or seek the advice of a competent spiritual director in order to navigate the OP’s situation.

Well said.

Peace
James

 

[Shin]

It is said during the reign of the Antichrist, that no one will be able to buy, sell, or do any business whatsoever without bearing the ‘sign’ of the Antichrist upon him.

Thus Christians will not be able to do the essential things in life in public.

What this says in a spiritual way, though I do not deny the more explicit way – I see as no one being able to buy or sell, or do any business without sinning, without denying God.

Thus, you may not be a doctor, without performing abortions. You may not work at a bookstore without selling pornography and heresy. You may not work at a pharmacy without selling contraceptives and abortifacients. You may not work at an electronics store without selling immoral DVDs and CDs. You may not educate children without teaching them to sin. You may not provide homes for children without handing them over to deviants. You may not be a priest, unless you fail to condemn sin.

Etc.

Closer than people think perhaps eh?

 

[Willy_Jose]

I think there are still formidable conscience protection clauses in industrialized countries, which varies in degree. I believe many states in the U.S. still have conscience clauses in place, with some additions during the Bush administration. Still, there is an ongoing legal tussle and that may change under the Obama administration.

Here in the Philippines, there is a major battle going on with a prominent legislative proposal - Reproductive Health Bill - being hotly contested on all sides. If the bill is passed, then it would trample on religious freedom on many counts. We do have constitutional principles on freedom of religious expression (and that includes conscientious objection, like refusing to cooperate in dispensing contraceptives), although again it would be a legal battle going forward.