On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.
Tell me why if I come back, I’m in trouble if I use artificial birth control.
We are asked to be open to God’s plan for us, whether or not it includes children. Birth control removes that openness. God gave us the awesome gift of sex for the good of ourselves and our spouses, and for procreation. The two are inextricably linked. It’s because of that that the Church recognizes the desire to space births so that a husband and wife can be responsible parents and 
loving spouses, and supports natural family planning based on the parties working together to determine infertile periods.
At least one study has purported that 98 percent of sexually active Catholic women have used a birth control method other than natural family planning. But theology isn’t a popularity contest. As Catholics, we believe that we should welcome and nurture new life, not seek to actively prevent it from occurring. We also believe sex is sacred, intended for marriage between a man and a woman deeply in love and committed to accepting children if they come. And if they don’t come… we grieve with that man and woman, assist them with counseling if desired, and help them discover and celebrate the other gifts and service opportunities in their lives.
However, we also cannot know what is in someone else’s heart and soul, and what has been discussed with his or her confessor. There may be reasons unrelated to conception that a woman is taking medication. The Church’s teachings are designed to lead us to a closer walk with God so that we will be with him in eternity and to ease our burden here on earth. Being out of step with what God wants may satisfy our selfish desires for a time, but it also causes unnecessary pain and distance.
{ 0 comments… add one now }