Ever since the first whisper of Catholic teaching on contraception there has been upheaval, derision and outright fabrication regarding how Catholics should and, in fact, must respond to that teaching. Declared to be an infallible teaching at the time it was uttered in 1930 - and reiterated in 1968 - the teaching by Pope Pius XI in the encyclical Casti Connubii states: "56. (A)ny use whatsoever of matrimony exercised in such a way that the act is deliberately frustrated in its natural power to generate life is an offense against the law of God and of nature, and those who indulge in such are branded with the guilt of a grave sin." Yet, there are still those theologians and priests who claim the teaching is not infallible or, incredibly, is wrong.
Revisiting this teaching seems like a good place to start, particularly since our Saturday, June 4 event deals with the detrimental effects of the pill on marriages. The Church's teaching on contraception was repeated by Pope Paul VI, in Humanae Vitae,
14. Therefore We base Our words on the first principles of a human and Christian doctrine of marriage when We are obliged once more to declare that the direct interruption of the generative process already begun and, above all, all direct abortion, even for therapeutic reasons, are to be absolutely excluded as lawful means of regulating the number of children. Equally to be condemned, as the magisterium of the Church has affirmed on many occasions, is direct sterilization, whether of the man or of the woman, whether permanent or temporary.
Similarly excluded is any action which either before, at the moment of, or after sexual intercourse, is specifically intended to prevent procreation - whether as an end or as a means.
In both instances, Catholic Church teaching is not confusing and should not be open to misinterpretation. The teaching is binding to all Catholics who have reached the age of reason and are capable of using common sense. So what's to be debated?
Apparently since nearly all Catholic females, according to one survey, either use or approve of contraception, the Church's teaching is thought to be irrelevant. Or at least that's the impression one is given from current popular trends coupled with silent pulpits. But as has been the case since the beginning when Christ walked the earth and passed on to His disciples His "hard sayings," the Church has not changed and the truth is not going to change - regardless of polling data, studies or contradictions to what is on its face unchangeable.
The fact is that the use of contraception is sinful and it does, indeed, destroy marriages, families, the bodies of women and the lives of preborn babies prior to their being able to implant in their mother's wombs.
This weekend, people concerned about understanding the facts in this matter will have the opportunity to hear speakers like Rita Diller, national director of Stop Planned Parenthood International (STOPP), tell the truth about the pill. According to Diller, "The pill is marketed as sexual and economic freedom but a growing body of peer-reviewed research indicates contraceptives set women up for relationship disasters. The physical, psychological, and emotional damage that women suffer because of the pill has devastated the institution of marriage, leading to soaring divorce rates. That means fatherless homes - the greatest predictor of poverty in America."
It's time to hear the facts, set aside self-absorbed attitudes, and learn why healthy people, healthy marriages and happy babies occur to the extent that people are willing to surrender to God's will - not instantaneous sexual gratification. Learn more and get happy!
Follow this link for details for the live streaming conference: http://www.all.org/article/index/id/ODkwNw/