An Orthodox priest would recommend contraception for the same reasons a RC priest would. Now of course, there are those that are less faithful to the teachings than the rest and we see this in both churches. For the Orthodox, it is a matter to be discussed with their spiritual father as there is not a one-sized fits all approach.
I do not understand.
I’m a convert, so I guess I could be ignorant of the facts, but it was and is my understanding that contraception has always been banned (binding on all Catholics) by the Church and that Humanae Vitae simply reaffirmed that teaching in the same way other papal documents have done on other areas of Church teaching.
That is correct. Contraception and abortion are not new. There are new methods to be sure but the practice has always been banned by the Church. Humanae Vitae reaffirmed the church’s position on abortion, contraception and euthanasia as well.
Like most of us, you’d probably like to hear it from a Catholic rather than otherwise especially if it involves such important statement. You are right that the teaching on the prohibition on contraption is binding on all Catholics. So it can be very dangerous to get others to tell us about issue like this.
All EO I’ve met say that contraception is permitted under the principle of oikonoimia. Some say that it is not a sin because of that. Unless the EO have changed the Traditional understanding of oikonomia, that would be a wrong interpretation. Oikonomia does not make what is a sin no longer a sin. Oikonomia is normally applied on a case-by-case basis. What it does is it removes the normal penalty for a sin. So saying that contraception is permitted by oikonomia is an implicit admission that contraception is a sin.
Please explain what oikonomia is as there are probably many here who are not familiar with the term. Including me !!!
But a dispensation is not prudence. A dispensation is an easing of a church rule or regulation but no one can give or be given a dispensation to commit sin. For instance the church has rules for fasting during Lent but dispensation is given to those who may risk serious health issues if they followed the fasting guidelines. So too a dispensation can be given for those for whom attending Mass would experience an undue burden. But no dispensation can be given for murder.
I didn’t say economy or prudence is permission to commit sin.
One rarely finds the idea of a celibate marriage suggested or condoned any longer within a Catholic context. One will even find people suggesting it is better for a couple to use NFP than be celibate if there is good reason to avoid pregnancy, because one ought not to avoid sex in marriage. As far as I can tell, this seems to be at least partly the influence of Evangelicals.
Brother Hesychios is correct in principle. A dispensation does not actually relax a rule or regulation, because the rule or regulation is still generally in effect. What a dispensation actually does in essence is remove the normal canonical penalty for not obeying a law established by the Church.
True, but the Church has given dispensations for soldiers in time of war. Again, it is not a license to kill (shades of 007!). It is simply a removal of the Traditional penalty associated with killing.
You say, “If you search online, you will find sources from EO bishops who say contraception is a sin and permitted under oikonomia.” I say REALLY??? Orthodox bishops say it is a sin but is somehow still permitted ? I find that unbelievable for them to do that… As for soldiers in war I do believe that applies to war that is a"just war" and not “just any war”.
Well it would help if we knew your definition for “legalistic” Also I don’t know what your idea of penitence is in the Western Church. What is your source for this knowledge especially since you apparently hever had confession in a Western Rite church.?I just went through my first confession in the Melkite Faith (in fact my first confession, EVER) and I agree it is not as “legalistic” as the Western Rite. Interesting experience, overall.
I also agree that there is not as much emphasis on penitence in the EC than in the WC. I was basically told----increase your prayers. I definitely will.
I’ll be honest, when I read this sort of argument on the internet it loses all validity until it is backed up with actual quotes. There are so many ways such things can be taken out of context or memories altered by the passage of time. Additionally this statement seems to contradict your former basis which was that oikonomia was traditionally a tacit admission that something was sinful.
I don’t understand how my two statements contradict. Please explain.