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[ec2kadm]

Anonymous
Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 07:15 am
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So here i am having dinner with the priest of our church along with several other people. We are having conversation when someone asks father about his feelings on birth control. He says that birth control can be o.k. but abortion is not.He feels that the way the world is today it can be better. I was taken back!He said that when you use birth control you are not creating life. I reminded him about what was written in the catechism. All acts must be open to procreation. I realize that having to many children can put a financial strain on a family but then you must turn to natural family planning. He still maintained his position on this. He is a 73 year old priest from India. Am i missing something here?


Rob Stout
Monday, December 09, 2002 - 04:19 pm
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No, he is missing something. Both Humanae Vitae and Familiaris Consortio as well and the Catechism of the Catholic Church have more than adequate explanation. Also, many so-called forms of Birth Control (IUD and the Pill) are abortifacients either by design or as a side effect.
 
 
 
Sylvia Posted: Jan 31 2005, 01:49 AM 
 
Just after vatican II there was a lot of confusing statements on many subjects, one being birth control. I think the two encyclicals mentioned have clarified the situation.
Sylvia

[priestess82]

After the birth of my fifth child, I was looking for some answers to space any more children we might have further apart. I had had 5 children in 5 years and my body and brain needed a break. I met with several priests and received answers from "you have to procreate until you are no longer able to have children" to "use birth control, you've done your duty." One priest and my mom, a devout Catholic, strongly encouraged me to have a tubal ligation since I had done my duty. I gave in and regretted it when I awoke from surgery. No one in all my searching ever said anything about NFP. I mentioned the rhythm method since I was vaguely familiar with it and was laughed at and told to be realistic. With the birth of every child, the first words from the doctor at the 6 week checkup was what kind of BC was I going to use. I only wish that more priests, lay people, friends, medical personnel and family had information about NFP. I cannot use this but I have read enough and make everyone aware of this fabulous method whenever I can. I now understand more now that I have read Humanae Vitae and theology of the body. I wish I had had that information when making my decision.

[Maria]

I understand what your talking about. I'm a mom of three and every time I've had a child the doctor would ask me the same: what form of birthcontrol I was going to use. After my first, well I wasn't going to church and had become unfamiliar with the church teachings or I was just stupid and gave in to the doctor as far BControl. 1 year of being on it with all the mood swings I got off them because I did discover that the church teached against it. I also stopped using them because of the guilt I felt from preventing life. Sometimes there is nothing worse than dealing with guilt no matter what it is. By the time my 2nd and 3rd came around well my husband and I totally together decided to use Natural Family Planning and I believe its the best thing, best decision we ever made. I was finally free from that guilt after I went to confession of course. Now that all we use is NFP.

[priestess82]

It's taken me a long time to get past the guilt of having had a tubal and from being misled by people in authority, people I looked up to. I looked into having it reversed but my insurance would not cover it and because of my age, it was too difficult and risky. I never used the pill rather, we played sexual roulette and things worked out okay. I would not give back any of my children (although some days I might sell them) and really cannot see my life without them. It took a lot of faith, prayer and trust in God. He really has provided in ways I could never imagine.

[Maria]

I can completely relate to the guilt you feel although different circumstances; sometimes the quilt alone can be in itself devistating. I felt years and years of guilt for different things including being on BC by a doctors strong influence and recomendation. At the time, not fully understanding the consequence of such an action. There were other things as well for me that contributed to that guilt in regards to being a fallen away catholic an returning the faith. Lets just say the guilt hurt me so much and ran so deep that I spent a lot of time in confession. It was when I did my first confession before my wedding that I began letting it all go. (it'll be two years December my husband and I have been married. we were married in the catholic church)For me, healing from that guilt didn't happen over night. It took weeks and months of talking with a priest and confession to get past the guilt I felt. I think not everyone can have a full understanding of it unless they have gone through it. To be able to heal and let that guilt go is a Blessing and a Grace from God. I believe I myself, am a better and stronger person of faith; for being able to have the strength and courage of God being by my side to get past it. I too regardless of the situations for which I conceived my children I have no regrets because each one of them are in my eyes a blessing from God... It just goes to show that no matter what our trials or mistakes and triumphs; we will always have hope in the Lord and to have no fear in trusting Him during our trials..

[Jacob CAN]

Prayer to God the Father of All Life
A good prayer:

Eternal God, You have revealed Yourself as the Father of all Life. We praise You for the Fatherly care which You extend to all creation, and especially to us, made in Your image and likeness.

Father, extend Your hand of protection to those threatened by abortion, and save them from its destructive power. Give Your strength to all fathers, that they may never give in to the fears that may tempt them to facilitate abortions.

Bless our families and bless our land, that we may have the joy of welcoming and nurturing the life of which You are the source and the Eternal Father. Amen.
 

[Middy NY]

Amen ... beautiful prayer Jacob....