Topic: Can you help me understand the Church's teaching about artificial birth control?

Date originally posted: March 20, 2002

Source of this posting: Moderator response to emailed question

Moderator who originally posted this source: K. Martyn

Question: I've always been concerned with the environment and earth resouces and quality of life.  As such, practicing birth control seemed not only logical but responsible, especially where the overpopulation is a problem and people live in survival mode as is the case in many poor countries. And in our society, where sex is used so irresponsibly, in many case bringing children to an environment of abuse.  However, as I grow deeper in my faith, I feel conflicted between my original views and the position of the church on birth control and haven't been able to reconcile the two.  Can you offer an explanation as to how the church responds to my concerns to help me settle this issue?

Answer: 

You ask a very good question and one that over the years has been on many folks' minds. Tension and conflict often times motivate us to dig a little deeper and pray a little harder so that we can, to the best of our ability, discern God's will for us.

 There is no easy solution per se. The church recommends that three things: 1) read Pope Paul VI encyclical "Humanae Vitae" on the regulation of birth dated July 1968, 2)work with a spiritual director for at least one year, and 3) pray, pray, pray. I am confident that you will draw the right conclusion for you as a couple.