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Contraceptives:
Immoral and unhealthy

By Sean Martin
John Paul II Generation

Thanks to the sexual revolution in the 1960s, we find ourselves as a society in a world of hurt! We are living in an era that literally is breaking down God’s design and purpose of the family. We have more single parents, cohabitation, divorce, depression, and widespread sexual promiscuity than ever before. Abortion, euthanasia, suicide, contraception, and sterilization for contraception purposes are all symptoms of the “culture of death” that we find ourselves living in today. These gravely evil acts are a violation of the sacredness and dignity of human life. They are contradictory to human freedom and obsessed with efficiency and selfishness over and above loving, respecting, desiring, and being thankful for life as a gift from God!

“Despite their differences of nature and moral gravity, contraception and abortion are often closely connected, as fruits of the same tree. …such practices are rooted in a hedonistic mentality unwilling to accept responsibility in matters of sexuality, and they imply a self-centered concept of freedom, which regards procreation as an obstacle to personal fulfillment. The life which could result from a sexual encounter thus becomes an enemy to be avoided at all costs, and abortion becomes the only possible decisive response to failed contraception” (Evangelium Vitae 13).

Our society and dare I say even many Catholics, have bought into the lies of the sexual revolution. We have a moral obligation as Catholics to stand up for the truths of our Faith found in Gospel of life!

Is it wrong to use contraception?

The marital union of a husband and wife must include a loving union and openness to procreation. “The inseparable connection, established by God, which man on his own initiative may not break, between the unitive significance and the procreative significance which are both inherent to the marriage act” (Humanae Vitae 12). Anything that separates the twofold purpose of marital love would be considered gravely immoral. “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 means, to render procreation impossible is intrinsically evil” (CCC 2370). Therefore, contraception and sterilization for contraceptive reasons (removing a disease which renders a person sterile is morally acceptable) are gravely immoral (CCC 2399).

Some forms of contraception can actually cause abortions. Therefore, these forms of contraception would be considered gravely immoral for not only separating the procreative from the unitive aspect within marital love, but also because they kill an innocent human life.

“The close connection which exists, in mentality, between the practice of contraception and that of abortion is becoming increasingly obvious. It is being demonstrated in an alarming way by the development of chemical products, intrauterine devices and vaccines which, distributed with the same ease as contraceptives, really act as abortifacients in the very early stages of the development of the life of the new human being.” (Evangelium Vitae 13)

Not only is contraception gravely immoral, but it is just plain unhealthy! The World Health Organization reported in 2005 that oral contraceptives are class one carcinogens. This places “the pill” right up there with in-taking asbestos and formaldehyde! In addition, there have been studies proving a direct link between breast cancer and hormonal contraception (see findings published in America Association for Cancer Research http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/18/4/1157.full.pdf+html).

Please continue to read the coming articles for an understanding of the Catholic Church’s position on NFP and artificial birth control. For further information on NFP classes or if you are interested in becoming a NFP instructor, contact the Office of Family Life 712-233-7530 or seanm@scdiocese.org.