The original question was not meant to convey that the nun taught that we need simply pray about any moral decision and then do what we think is best. She clearly stated that the teaching was morally binding and assent required in the vast majority of cases. She did, however, also clearly believe that there were cases, however rare, where the use of artificial contraception was OK. She also counciled that if anyone truly believed they may be in such a situation, they should first seek spiritual direction and dispensation from a recognized member of the clergy.
So she was not being terrible renegade in her
guidance, but when I asked, she said that she and the pastor of the parish had granted such dispensation more than once.
Again, this never sat right with me, which is why, 4 years later, I’m still looking for clarification
.
This leads to another important question. It is my understanding that an infallible moral teaching also carries
no exceptions. Is that, indeed, true? Here are some real-life scenarios to consider:
- This one is personal. After the birth of our second child, it was found that my wife was in need of an immunization booster (MMR, I believe). We were told that for three or four months after the booster, my wife was NOT to get pregnant, as the immunization would cause birth defects and potential death to the child. The doctor strongly encouraged birth control pills (progesterone only) to help regulate my wife’s hormone levels after childbirth and to prevent pregnancy during the dangerous months. I’m certain our approach to this was OK, becasue we abstained as well. I believe the teaching is not that birth control medication is morally sinful, but that using it *for contraception *is. The question is, if it is medically dangerous for the child if a woman conceives, is birth contol potentially OK? If the answer is maybe, then how dangerous should it be before medication (or sterilization, for that matter) is a viable option?
- A woman my wife knows was recently diagnosed with a medical condition, and was told that because of the condition, it would be life-threatening for her and the baby if she were to become pregnant. This woman is in her late 20s, and already has two healthy children. The condition has no cure. What is the Church’s position for this woman? Is she to abstain from marital relations for life? Risk both her life and the child’s by having relations using NFP? Or may it be morally acceptable in her situation to use artificial contraception or sterilization?
In any case, how does the Church weigh the importance and good of marital relations for the sake of the marriage covenant vs. the importance and good of being open to the life-giving nature of the act? I *know *the Church doesn’t teach that marital relations are
only for the purpose of bearing children.
Along those lines, does
intent matter? If one is required to take birth control medication for a medical need not related to conception, is total abstaintion then necessary? Is it OK to have relations during those times during a woman’s cycle when she would normally be infirtle while on birth control? All of this is assuming that the birth control is *not *abortifacient (sp?) in nature.
Thanks in advance for your (name removed by moderator)ut; there are a lot of questions here!
In Christ,
javelin
