Some may say that I'm tilting at windmills, wasting my time because over 85% of Catholics willfully use contraception in their marriages. However, I would be delinquent in my responsibilities if I don't teach and preach the Gospel both in and out of season. The teaching regarding contraception is one such topic that is the bane of many a Catholic. The doctrines exposed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church are summarily ignored. The encyclical Humanae Vitae, which came out in 1967 from Pope Paul VI, and Casti Cannubii from Pius XI have been rejected wholesale. This is a tragedy for the modern Christian. For the resulting consequences of ignorance and arrogance about contraception are manifesting themselves in dark and lasting ways. The prophetic utterances of Humanae Vitae have come to fruition, resulting in a culture of life giving way to a culture of death. The contraceptive mentality that drives our modern culture is the direct result of intellectual pride and self-absorption. If selfishness and materialism are to be the norm in a Christian marriage, how can this mentality and "life-style" not influence our respect for life or lack thereof?
Humanae vitae, as quoted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2370), defines the teaching about contraception with great clarity. “Every action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a mean, to render procreation impossible is intrinsically evil." As this leaves no doubt as to where a Catholic must stand in their marriage, your conscience needs to be in conformity to the Divine teaching of God. If you have had your tubes tied, use condoms in your marriage, or in anyway engage in the conjugal act without being open to the gift of life, you must seek out Sacramental Confession, repent of your behavior, and make form amend not to repeat it. If you are older, and have practiced birth control in the past and have not
confessed this sin, do so very soon. Now, having discharged my pastoral responsibilities and given proper admonition, let's look at some of the excuses given for the cavalier use of contraception in a marriage; believe me, they are legion.
1) Some people wish to wait.- This is not a problem so long as it is done in conformity with Church teaching. It cannot be for selfish reason, but for grave reasons. Generosity must be at the heart of these decisions. However, the Church is clear: "Periodic continence, that is, the methods of birth regulation based on self-observation and the use of infertile periods is in conformity with the moral law." We call this Natural Family Planning (NFP).
2) Concern about family size-Some people don't want a big family. Cost, psychological reasons, fear, a bad childhood, etc. become the principle reasons to use contraception. "Sacred Scripture and the Church's traditional practice seen in larger families is a sign of God's blessings and the parent's generosity." (Gadium et Spes, #50, Vatican II).
3) Animals replacing children-I have no problem with dogs or cats. However, some young couples have said that this is less expensive than children; but, not really! With the pampering of pets with vets, pills, top of the line foods and grooming, I think this argument stems from selfishness. When you go on vacation, the pet is "stored somewhere." With children there is not the same convenience .
4) Population over-crowding- This is just simply preposterous and silly. Check the birth rates (the U.S.
included) of the world's countries. They are down.
5) Material things-The purpose of a marriage is to have a family. I had 7 brothers and sisters, 10 people, 3bedrooms, one bathroom. There was one black and white T.V., a battery operated radio, one car, no computer, game boys, piles of toys and private rooms. And, although this can be debated, no one suffered, felt cheated, starved or went unclothed. Today's priorities, for some families, are all messed up. Selfishness, self-absorption, and materialism have substituted the traditional family. As the family goes, so goes culture.