Is there ever a circumstance where condom use is acceptable?

[Wardog]

I know there are many people who claim that priests tell them contraceptive use is ok in certain circumstances. And there are lots of priests who tell us that contraceptive use is never ok.

I have thrown this out before:

Those priests (and CAF posters) who take the position that contraceptive use is not allowed usually give references from Church documents to back up that position.

What are the references the priests who say that contraception is ok give? The OP states that her priest mentioned Humanae Vitae. That’s one of the “anti-contraception” documents. It doesn’t say that condom use is permitted in grave circumstances. Where are the Church documents that priests and pro-contraceptive CAF posters use to justify the use of contraceptives?

Maybe because the priest who drafts the Church’s positions are not parish priests who have to deal daily with the consequences. They (the parish priests) seem more humane than many of the posters here who come across very judgemental;
And you are incorrect in siting the Church documents and references. The Pope did make an exception recently when he said that it was a lesser evil to use a condom than to spread AIDS; while not a ringing endorsement, it does show an exception.

 

[Wardog]

This is actually a popular and widespread RUMOR. The Holy Father has not granted a special permission for condom use among male prostitutes, or any group.

This originated in an impromptu interview where, as often happens, the Pope’s extremely nuanced and complex explanation was twisted and misunderstood by the press. The matter has been clarified by Fr. Lombardi, SJ as well as other high level Vatican officials.

And this is the major problem with the Church pronouncements; they always are so extremely nuanced and complex that it does not take the press to twist or misunderstand them; his comments should not need clarification; if the matter is as simple as the posters here say it is, then nuance and complexity are not needed.

 

[manualman]

And you are incorrect in siting the Church documents and references. The Pope did make an exception recently when he said that it was a lesser evil to use a condom than to spread AIDS; while not a ringing endorsement, it does show an exception.

No he didn’t. Look it up. Original and complete sources, not spin and commentary. The pope made the statement that when a male prostitute recognizes that his behavior is causing harm and starts using condoms out of a desire to reduce the potential for harming others that that is “the first step towards a more moral approach to life.” (quote from memory) Commentators and spin doctors everywhere pounced and tried to make that mean condoms are OK for male prostitutes. It shouldn’t take a lit major to comprehend that he said no such thing. Recognition that sin causes harm and the desire NOT to cause harm is the first step towards repentance, not the completion of the journey. I dare you to provide the direct quote that says otherwise.

I WILL grant you the point that in the pope’s hypothetical scenario, the right approach is not to berate the male prostitute for using a condom, but to applaud his recognition of the potential for harm his behavior is causing and to encourage him to continue to reflect on how further growth and changes in his behavior might even better eliminate harm to himself and others. That’s a tricky road to walk and, indeed, not one best navigated via the guidance impersonal virtual advice.

 

[SteveGC]

And this is the major problem with the Church pronouncements; they always are so extremely nuanced and complex that it does not take the press to twist or misunderstand them; his comments should not need clarification; if the matter is as simple as the posters here say it is, then nuance and complexity are not needed.

that’s just it. It was not a Church pronouncement. And it was indeed arguably a purposeful non-contextual extraction by the L’Osservatore Romano (which has a history of this type of nonsense). Do your homework, lest your ignorance discredit the seemingly forthrightness of your claims regarding Catholic teaching.

 

[Corki]

Maybe because the priest who drafts the Church’s positions are not parish priests who have to deal daily with the consequences. They (the parish priests) seem more humane than many of the posters here who come across very judgemental;

There is not one priest who drafts the Church’s positions. The authoritative documents are written by the Popes themselves. All of our recent Popes, at least for the last few centuries, have started out as parish priests.

And you are incorrect in siting the Church documents and references. The Pope did make an exception recently when he said that it was a lesser evil to use a condom than to spread AIDS; while not a ringing endorsement, it does show an exception.

As others have pointed out, that’s not what the Pope said at all.

And this is the major problem with the Church pronouncements; they always are so extremely nuanced and complex that it does not take the press to twist or misunderstand them; his comments should not need clarification; if the matter is as simple as the posters here say it is, then nuance and complexity are not needed.

The Pope’s comments to which you are referring were not in the context of a “Church pronouncement”. They were responses in an **interview **- not nuanced or complex at all. You are right that Church documents sometimes come off as “over thought” but this was not one of those cases.

 

[Curious_Convert]

Though I agree with the official teaching, I have had 7 out of 7 priests tell me that artificial contraception is sometimes permissible within marriage. As if that wasn’t enough, the bishop told me the same. A Dominican monk is the only one I’ve spoken to who has told me that it is always wrong.

 

[ryecroft]

There is never a time when artifical birth control is acceptable …It is even a sin to have birth control paraphenaila in your possession. it is called an occassion of sin.

Actually, that’s not quite true - if you are using birth control for a medical reason other than contraception and contraception is a secondary effect of using the birth control then it is acceptable in the eyes of the Church.

I have to agree with the poster that told this lady to go to her Bishop’s office - I also understand why she went to different Priests- you think you’re taught one thing then told another by Priests -I would go to the Bishop - at best those present on here are ‘arm chair’ theologians - I would write to the Bishop, ask his advice and see where you stand.

God Bless and Good Luck
Rye

 

[1inICXC]

You know, in the end, we each have our conscience. We KNOW what Church teaching is and we know God doesn’t accept exceptions when it comes to sin. It is not about the letter of the law, it is about the dignity of the human person (@Debora!).

Every couple who contracepts will soon feel its effects in the emptiness of their sex lives and the loss of connection in other matters. They can argue all they want that it’s not true, but unless they have ever felt the grace of following GOD’s will for their (reproductive) lives, they wouldn’t even know a fraction of what they’ve been missing. ("trying NFP for a couple of months is not equal to the commitment of doing God’s will). All these couples live with the illusion/ embrace the pretext that tbeir lives would be worse off if they did follow God’s ways and as such, the evil one succeeds once again in convincing God’s children that their own Father doesnt have their best interest at heart and that THEY can be gods!

I would dare you to go back to the same priests and ask about watvhing porn in order to be able to “get things going” or using IVF to get pregnant and other objectively sinful activiyies and I can guarantee you’ll get a green light from them on at least a few of these as well! Most of the priests in my area are of the opinion that contraception is permissable in grave circumstances and I can tell you that each one of them has a completely skewed vision of what the Church teaching on sexuality is all together,! I’m not going to let a priest pave my way to hell. Nor am I standing by watching them lead others!

P.s. If you end up opting for condoms please be aware that you can very well still end up pregnant and you still have to be open to life. Being open to life yet using contraception is the greatest contradiction f human sexuality
!

 

[Marybeloved]

Though I agree with the official teaching, I have had 7 out of 7 priests tell me that artificial contraception is sometimes permissible within marriage. As if that wasn’t enough, the bishop told me the same. A Dominican monk is the only one I’ve spoken to who has told me that it is always wrong.

Unfortunately, that’s the present reality in the church after the post vatican II chaotic reactionary period in the sixties, seventies and eighties. A lot of damage has been done. It seems that God the Holy Spirit is stirring things now and the ship of the church is moving in the right direction. It will be decades before the damage of the “Spirit of Vatican II” crowd has been fully dealt with.

 

[joclucsylv]

Though I agree with the official teaching, I have had 7 out of 7 priests tell me that artificial contraception is sometimes permissible within marriage. As if that wasn’t enough, the bishop told me the same. A Dominican monk is the only one I’ve spoken to who has told me that it is always wrong.

My mom got the ok from her priest at age 43 to have a tubal. She was open to life all her fertile life and he said she did her duty.

 

[1inICXC]

My mom got the ok from her priest at age 43 to have a tubal. She was open to life all her fertile life and he said she did her duty.

So the priest knows what HER duty is!? Veryimteresting and convenoent to come across priests who want OUR Will for us.

And children aren’t a duty, they are a call and a blessing. Contraceptive mentality in bloom, EVERYWHERE!!! u van do whatever you want, if you fear children as a plague, a duty and a burden your mentality is contraceptive and not in line with God’s will and design for oir lives. Very sad, i see this attitude among the ,ajority of NFP-ers.

 

[Marybeloved]

Actually, that’s not quite true - if you are using birth control for a medical reason other than contraception and contraception is a secondary effect of using the birth control then it is acceptable in the eyes of the Church.

Yes, that’s true. Unless the medicine happens to be abortifacent, in which case you have to abstain as long as you’re on it. I agree, writing to the Bishop and learning the teaching of the Church is best.

 

[whm]

I WILL grant you the point that in the pope’s hypothetical scenario, the right approach is not to berate the male prostitute for using a condom, but to applaud his recognition of the potential for harm his behavior is causing and to encourage him to continue to reflect on how further growth and changes in his behavior might even better eliminate harm to himself and others. That’s a tricky road to walk and, indeed, not one best navigated via the guidance impersonal virtual advice.

I thought this scenario was about gay male prostitutes, in which case a condom is obviously not a contraceptive device in that instance. The pope used very careful wording as to not in anyway say that gay sex is at all acceptable. It is still a gravely sinful activity.