Is Using Contraception a Mortal Sin?

[Leegal]

If you disagree with church teaching, you may not have ‘full knowledge’ (someone correct me if I’m mistaken here). But you do have an obligation to conform your conscious to the truth. It sounds like you are trying to do this by reading Humanae Vita.

I suggest to keep prayerful examination of this issue. As long as you are open and working towards it, it’s not a mortal sin. I used to disagree with the Church on this. After closer examination, I changed my opinion to orthodoxy.

Remember, sex can be addictive - regardless if your single or married. And contraception closes off the ‘openness to childbearing’ which is contrary to how God designed sex. Lastly, contraception can reduce a woman to an object of pleasure.

God bless,
James

It’s called formation of true moral conscience. That occurs with a mind that is open to the Church’s teachings, that it begins with the assumption that the teaching is correct and then living it – before one can decide. It requires study – not only Humanae vitae but many more of the Church’s teachings – the Catechism and other writings.

The Church teaches that the true moral conscience is not autonymous from the Church. It’s not enough to say, “I disagee.” And formation of true moral conscience is a life-long process as we are always confronted with these dilemmas.

I disagree that openess and using contraception while working on that formation of true moral conscience could not be a grave matter as that moral conscience may be in error.

The following link may seem confusing but if you read it several times it begins to become clear. Remember, the formation of a moral conscience is a process of examination. I think the process is not that you disagree about contraception and that that is your conscience – but you have to live the Church’s teaching, and study, before you can know what your true moral conscience really is. It cannot be an outright rejection of Church authority. However, ignorance of the process may negate responsibility – but now you know, at least, what the Church expects in forming the true moral conscience. – to discern what is God’s will.

I assume we are speaking of ABC, not NFP.

You should discuss this with a priest. You asked if you could receive communion. I would say that you should not until you have made an appointment with a spiritual advisor or priest/confessor to better understand the true moral conscience. See the link.

vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s1c1a6.htm

 

[Bookcat]

“234. The judgment concerning the interval of time between births, and that regarding the number of children, belongs to the spouses alone. This is one of their inalienable rights, to be exercised before God with due consideration of their obligations towards themselves, their children already born, the family and society[528].”

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#The%20family%20is%20the%20sanctuary%20of%20life

(of course the need the right reasons…and only the right means …)

 

[Bookcat]

This is why I included the word “potentially” - because it is not up for me to judge, but there is a possibility. I think we’re arguing nuance but saying the same thing here.

Yes I saw the word but still it is important to note that contraception is a worse sin “per se” …very much contrary to the marital love and meaning of the marital act…than say even a potential mortal sin of using NFP for the purposes of collecting expensive cars.

 

[Bookcat]

“234. The judgment concerning the interval of time between births, and that regarding the number of children, belongs to the spouses alone. This is one of their inalienable rights, to be exercised before God with due consideration of their obligations towards themselves, their children already born, the family and society[528].”

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#The%20family%20is%20the%20sanctuary%20of%20life

(of course the need the right reasons…and only the right means …)

 

[jhigh]

“234. The judgment concerning the interval of time between births, and that regarding the number of children, belongs to the spouses alone. This is one of their inalienable rights, to be exercised before God with due consideration of their obligations towards themselves, their children already born, the family and society[528].”

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#The%20family%20is%20the%20sanctuary%20of%20life

(of course the need the right reasons…and only the right means …)

Agreed - your point is well put and taken.

 

[jinc1019]

First off, you’re wrong that the Catholic answer is to either not have sex or to use NFP. In fact, if the reason that you’re not wanting to conceive right now is for the reasons stated, then both of these things are potentially equally as sinful as using contraception.

The long and short of it is this - God gave us sex for unification and procreation. If you are engaging (or failing to engage) in intercourse in a way that denies either of these functions, you are committing a mortal sin. So if you’re not having sex because you don’t want to procreate, you are perverting the act by not engaging in it.

If I were you, I would engage in a lot of prayer about why you’re trying to avoid conceiving. Without trying to sound judgmental, I read a lot of selfishness from both you and your wife in your post. Children are a blessing, and many, many parents have had to put career goals on hold, and found themselves satisfied beyond their wildest dreams as a result.

I am sorry but how can you possibly see SELFISHNESS? I mean I realize you don’t know anything about me and my wife, but we have, are, and will always completely devote our lives to helping people. This summer my wife, using her medical training, is going to the Philippines to work for FREE in medical clinics in impoverished regions. We have started a non-profit organization to help bring medical supplies to impoverished areas around the world as well. My wife has spent countless hours working for either NOTHING or for virtually nothing in hospitals and clinics, including a Catholic clinic serving the poor for FREE. All of this goes away with a child…how is that selfish? I understand what you mean by that, but honestly, it makes no sense to accuse me of being selfish when you know nothing about our situation. This isn’t about money for us; it’s about helping people…and we can’t do that with a child the way we can without one…unless of course we don’t give the child what a child needs. In either case, you would say we are selfish unless we stop trying to help people?

 

[jinc1019]

First off, you’re wrong that the Catholic answer is to either not have sex or to use NFP. In fact, if the reason that you’re not wanting to conceive right now is for the reasons stated, then both of these things are potentially equally as sinful as using contraception.

The long and short of it is this - God gave us sex for unification and procreation. If you are engaging (or failing to engage) in intercourse in a way that denies either of these functions, you are committing a mortal sin. So if you’re not having sex because you don’t want to procreate, you are perverting the act by not engaging in it.

If I were you, I would engage in a lot of prayer about why you’re trying to avoid conceiving. Without trying to sound judgmental, I read a lot of selfishness from both you and your wife in your post. Children are a blessing, and many, many parents have had to put career goals on hold, and found themselves satisfied beyond their wildest dreams as a result.

ADDITIONALLY, the WHOLE POINT of NFP is to avoid having a child. How can NFP not be a sin then under the premise you established above?

 

[jinc1019]

It’s called formation of true moral conscience. That occurs with a mind that is open to the Church’s teachings, that it begins with the assumption that the teaching is correct and then living it – before one can decide. It requires study – not only Humanae vitae but many more of the Church’s teachings – the Catechism and other writings.

The Church teaches that the true moral conscience is not autonymous from the Church. It’s not enough to say, “I disagee.” And formation of true moral conscience is a life-long process as we are always confronted with these dilemmas.

I disagree that openess and using contraception while working on that formation of true moral conscience could not be a grave matter as that moral conscience may be in error.

The following link may seem confusing but if you read it several times it begins to become clear. Remember, the formation of a moral conscience is a process of examination. I think the process is not that you disagree about contraception and that that is your conscience – but you have to live the Church’s teaching, and study, before you can know what your true moral conscience really is. It cannot be an outright rejection of Church authority. However, ignorance of the process may negate responsibility – but now you know, at least, what the Church expects in forming the true moral conscience. – to discern what is God’s will.

I assume we are speaking of ABC, not NFP.

You should discuss this with a priest. You asked if you could receive communion. I would say that you should not until you have made an appointment with a spiritual advisor or priest/confessor to better understand the true moral conscience. See the link.

vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s1c1a6.htm

Thank you for the efforts and link. I will read it over carefully.

 

[jhigh]

I am sorry but how can you possibly see SELFISHNESS? I mean I realize you don’t know anything about me and my wife, but we have, are, and will always completely devote our lives to helping people. This summer my wife, using her medical training, is going to the Philippines to work for FREE in medical clinics in impoverished regions. We have started a non-profit organization to help bring medical supplies to impoverished areas around the world as well. My wife has spent countless hours working for either NOTHING or for virtually nothing in hospitals and clinics, including a Catholic clinic serving the poor for FREE. All of this goes away with a child…how is that selfish? I understand what you mean by that, but honestly, it makes no sense to accuse me of being selfish when you know nothing about our situation. This isn’t about money for us; it’s about helping people…and we can’t do that with a child the way we can without one…unless of course we don’t give the child what a child needs. In either case, you would say we are selfish unless we stop trying to help people?

Because based on your previous post, your only real reasons for not wanting children were to avoid interrupting both of your schooling. That is a very selfish reason - I was in no way passing judgement and, in fact, in some cases selfishness can be a good and healthy thing. However, the reasons that you gave for not wanting children were selfish ones. I’m quite certain that there is more to this than what I know, and I wasn’t presuming otherwise. I was merely commenting that, based on the information that you gave, you may want to pray and examine your motives - that’s all. Based on your reaction…frankly, I reiterate my advice more strongly.

As for using NFP for the same reason, I agree that it can be sinful. Again, pray and consult your priest, but I would not approach this subject lightly.

 

[Castello]

I am sorry but how can you possibly see SELFISHNESS? I mean I realize you don’t know anything about me and my wife, but we have, are, and will always completely devote our lives to helping people. This summer my wife, using her medical training, is going to the Philippines to work for FREE in medical clinics in impoverished regions. We have started a non-profit organization to help bring medical supplies to impoverished areas around the world as well. My wife has spent countless hours working for either NOTHING or for virtually nothing in hospitals and clinics, including a Catholic clinic serving the poor for FREE. All of this goes away with a child…how is that selfish? I understand what you mean by that, but honestly, it makes no sense to accuse me of being selfish when you know nothing about our situation. This isn’t about money for us; it’s about helping people…and we can’t do that with a child the way we can without one…unless of course we don’t give the child what a child needs. In either case, you would say we are selfish unless we stop trying to help people?

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?

God designed marriage. Married people are supposed to have sex and have children. If there is a serious reason not to have children, then, one can choose not to have sex OR to monitor the wife’s cycles and have sex only during the infertile times (surely a med student understands the limited window of fertility).

For a med student, I would suggest the medical Creighton method of NFP.

 

[jinc1019]

I am sorry but how can you possibly see SELFISHNESS? I mean I realize you don’t know anything about me and my wife, but we have, are, and will always completely devote our lives to helping people. This summer my wife, using her medical training, is going to the Philippines to work for FREE in medical clinics in impoverished regions. We have started a non-profit organization to help bring medical supplies to impoverished areas around the world as well. My wife has spent countless hours working for either NOTHING or for virtually nothing in hospitals and clinics, including a Catholic clinic serving the poor for FREE. All of this goes away with a child…how is that selfish? I understand what you mean by that, but honestly, it makes no sense to accuse me of being selfish when you know nothing about our situation. This isn’t about money for us; it’s about helping people…and we can’t do that with a child the way we can without one…unless of course we don’t give the child what a child needs. In either case, you would say we are selfish unless we stop trying to help people?

You can say what we are doing is wrong…but selfish is just ridiculous.

 

[jinc1019]

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?

God designed marriage. Married people are supposed to have sex and have children. If there is a serious reason not to have children, then, one can choose not to have sex OR to monitor the wife’s cycles and have sex only during the infertile times (surely a med student understands the limited window of fertility).

For a med student, I would suggest the medical Creighton method of NFP.

We have studied Creighton’s method of NFP…I appreciate the suggestion…

But, I would like for someone to please answer this question: For what other purpose, other than to avoid pregnancy, does a person want to use NFP? To me, there is no logical difference between this and a condom…in both situations, a person may get pregnant…in both situations…the couple is avoiding pregnancy…in both situations, there is sex with the intention of NOT having children.

 

[Bookcat]

ADDITIONALLY, the WHOLE POINT of NFP is to avoid having a child. How can NFP not be a sin then under the premise you established above?

NFP is very very different than Contraception. NFP one simply makes use of the infertile times.

Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI

1. What are immoral means of birth control?

2370-2372

Every action - for example, direct sterilization or contraception - is intrinsically immoral which (either in anticipation of the conjugal act, in its accomplishment or in the development of its natural consequences) proposes, as an end or as a means, to hinder procreation.

 

[Bookcat]

This has to do with the “means”.

The intention to avoid children for a period of time…can be either good or not good…

One could have the same “good intention” of avoiding a new conception (say one can not afford another child at the moment) and use a gravely intrinsically evil means such as contraception-- or a good means such as NFP.

The intention does not just need to be good…but the means too must be good.

The good end does not “justify” an evil means.

 

[Bookcat]

Perhaps some sources:

catholic.com/radio/shows/contraception-vs-nfp-3861

catholic.com/radio/shows/is-nfp-contraception-encore-3793

 

[Leegal]

ADDITIONALLY, the WHOLE POINT of NFP is to avoid having a child. How can NFP not be a sin then under the premise you established above?

I believe that use of NFP should include a monthly discernment. It’s not enough to say, “we will start having children 3 years after marriage”, or “we will wait until our son starts school and we can buy a house.”

I understand that the decision to use NFP is based upon each month’s present circumstances. You may, of course, use NFP if you could not care for the child[ren] properly, but the decision cannot be materially motivated.

The Church affirms that efforts at birth regulation “must be done with respect for the order
established by God” (Humanae Vitae, 16).

WHAT DOES THE CHURCH TEACH ABOUT AN IDEAL FAMILY SIZE?

The Church has no specific teaching about an ideal family size. As
indicated previously, couples may take many factors into consideration. On
the other hand, there is a general Christian warning against
decision-making based solely on materialistic factors. Life is a gift to
be shared, and the Christian couple are called to be generous in the
service of life according to their circumstances.

For example, Pope John Paul II has noted that “decisions about the number
of children and the sacrifices to be made for them must not be taken only
with a view to adding comfort and preserving a peaceful existence.
Reflecting upon this matter before God, with the graces drawn from the
Sacrament, and guided by the teaching of the Church, parents will remind
themselves that it is certainly less serious to deny their children
certain comforts or material advantages than to deprive them of the
presence of brothers or sisters who could help them to grow in humanity
and to realize the beauty of life at all ages and in all its variety.”

ewtn.com/library/marriage/cclbc.txt

 

[Leegal]

We have studied Creighton’s method of NFP…I appreciate the suggestion…

But, I would like for someone to please answer this question: For what other purpose, other than to avoid pregnancy, does a person want to use NFP? To me, there is no logical difference between this and a condom…in both situations, a person may get pregnant…in both situations…the couple is avoiding pregnancy…in both situations, there is sex with the intention of NOT having children.

With NFP there is no sex during fertile times. You avoid the act to avoid the pregnancy.

With condoms you prevent sex during fertile times, for the express purpose of preventing a ripe ovum from being fertilized. Here you are not giving up the act – but placing a barrier so that the egg and sperm do not meet.

 

[1ke]

Is using contraception a mortal sin in a valid Catholic marriage?

Yes. It is a grave matter against the Sixth Commandment. It is a sin if done with knowledge and free will.

I understand the Catholic teaching on the subject, I have read Humane Vitae and I have posed questions on this forum about it as well and I can’t bring myself to believe it. If it is a mortal sin, then doesn’t that mean I cannot receive communion?

A person in a state of mortal sin cannot receive communion.

If you were unaware of the teaching, then you did not commit a mortal sin. Now that you do know, if you continue to contracept then yes it is a grave matter and you should refrain from the Eucharist until you confess it and stop contracepting.

 

[jinc1019]

With NFP there is no sex during fertile times. You avoid the act to avoid the pregnancy.

With condoms you prevent sex during fertile times, for the express purpose of preventing a ripe ovum from being fertilized. Here you are not giving up the act – but placing a barrier so that the egg and sperm do not meet.

I am sorry but this is incorrect. If I only have sex using a condom during “infertile times,” which is impossible to perfectly figure out by the way, then that would still be against Church teachings…even though the principle is the same.

And according to other posters, giving up the act is ALSO a sin…so I cannot do that either. Basically, it is a sin for me not to have a child unless I am biologically incapable of doing so, according to many posting here.

 

[1ke]

We have studied Creighton’s method of NFP…I appreciate the suggestion…

But, I would like for someone to please answer this question: For what other purpose, other than to avoid pregnancy, does a person want to use NFP? To me, there is no logical difference between this and a condom…in both situations, a person may get pregnant…in both situations…the couple is avoiding pregnancy…in both situations, there is sex with the intention of NOT having children.

NFP is information. You can use it to avoid pregnancy or achieve pregnancy.

Regarding how it is different from contraception-- well, how is robbery different from working? Both obtain money. Of course there is a difference.