Bishops review contraception and Catholics couples

By Nancy Frazier O’BrienCatholic News ServiceWASHINGTON (CNS) — Contraception introduces “a false note” that disturbs marital intimacy and contributes to a decline in society’s respect for marriage and for life, the U.S. bishops say in a draft document that will come before them at their fall general meeting in Baltimore.Recalling warnings from Popes Paul VI and John Paul II that a “contraceptive
mentality” would lead to more abortions and other evils, the bishops said,
“These predictions have come true.”Today we see a pandemic of sexually
transmitted diseases, an enormous rise in cohabitation, one in three children
born outside of marriage, and abortion used by many when contraception fails,”
the draft document said. “A failure to respect married love’s power to help
create new life has eroded respect for life and for the sanctity of
marriage.”The bishops also cautioned Catholics that newer forms of
contraception, such as the “morning-after pill,” may cause an abortion if taken
after a sperm and egg have joined.In an introduction to the draft, Cardinal
William H. Keeler of Baltimore, chairman of the pro-life committee, said
Catholic couples “report using contraceptives at about the same level as those
of other faiths or of no faith” and that only 4 percent of Catholic married
couples use natural family planning.The target audience for the document is
Catholics “engaged to be married, newly married or contemplating marriage”;
priests and seminarians; and other lay Catholics, the cardinal said.The draft
was presented to couples in marriage preparation classes in four dioceses —
Peoria, Ill.; Phoenix; St. Augustine, Fla.; and San Diego — and 78 percent
found the document to be “welcoming/helpful” in tone, he added.

HT Heart, Mind Strength Blog

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