Contraceptives

[Cary.Melvin]

I know that the use of contraceptives is a sin.

But, Is the use of contraceptives a mortal sin?

 

[marciadietrich]

I don't know for sure, but best guess:

Using contraception would be considered a grave matter, one of the three criteria for a mortal sin. The other two being full knowledge and consent of will. It would always be confessable (because it is grave subject matter) but probably the priest would make the call on being mortal under your circumstances.

Marcia

 

[Acceptance]

I don't know the official church answer to this question, but I do know that with certain methods of birth control (i.e. depo, IUD, norplant) break through ovulation does occur. What does that mean? Well, essentially it means that they work (prevent pregnancy) by not allowing your fertalized egg to implant. Yes, that's right, I said fertalized egg. As in, you may have been pregnant and the child miscarried (aborted). They swell the endometrium (lining of the uterus) so that your egg is unable to implant in it and thus you "do not get pregnant".

Actually:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration stated in an official report that its effectiveness is "in direct proportion to the quantity and quality of the inflammatory reaction to various types of IUDs"...and states that there "is one common thread . . . " They all "interfere in some manner with the implantation of the fertilized ovum in the uterine cavity."

Second Report on IUDs, Dec. 1978, U.S. Dept. of HEW,
Food & Drug Administration Document 017-012-00276-5

So... knowing this, and the fact that a life was made, then killed, I would think, yes, they can be a mortal sin.

 

[Philip]

I don't know the official church answer to this question, but I do know that with certain methods of birth control (i.e. depo, IUD, norplant) break through ovulation does occur.

Are you sure about Depo and Norplant? I thought they prevented ovulation.

An IUD is definitely used to prevent implantation. I see no difference between an IUD and elective abortion.

It would seem to me that the use of a contraceptive requires significant forethought and action. Whether or not its use is considered a mortal sin, wouldn't the willfull disregard of the Church's teaching be a serious matter itself?

 

[Acceptance]

This is an implant under the skin of her forearm that lasts five years. In the first half of that time it’s effect is to almost always suppress ovulation. In the last half of that time, break-through ovulation is the rule. However, very few pregnancies survive. Clearly, this second half is commonly effective through micro-abortions and prevention of implantation.

As with Norplant, there is some variance from woman to woman, but in a far higher percent of cases Depo Provera suppresses ovulation. Break-through ovulation, however, does occur as attested to by full-term pregnancies recorded with women who were receiving this shot every three months.

 

[Jessica & David]

Our computer is broke right now, but I do have a lot of sites that have info about contracpetives..I only had time to find this one I hope it helps.. We teach work shops about contraceptives and Norplant, The Pill, Depo, The ring etc.. all act as abortifacients, because of break-through ovulation..


http://www.prolife.com/BIRTHCNT.html

 

[Philip]

Acceptance,
Thanks for the info.

 

[Carrye]

First, what is a 'mortal sin'?
1) includes grave matter
2) full knowledge
3) deliberate consent
* See also CCC 1859

So yes, the use of contraception is a mortal sin.

Pope Paul VI's Humanae Vitae and Pope JP II's Evangelium Vitae discuss this issue in depth.

Humanae Vitae speaks several times about breaking the moral law - whenever one breaks the moral law he is sinning. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.html

 

[d0c markus]

why is it a sin to use a condom or to pull out? hope ya dont mind "seperated brethren" joining in?

 

[Cary.Melvin]

First, what is a 'mortal sin'?
1) includes grave matter
2) full knowledge
3) deliberate consent
* See also CCC 1859

So yes, the use of contraception is a mortal sin.

Pope Paul VI's Humanae Vitae and Pope JP II's Evangelium Vitae discuss this issue in depth.

Humanae Vitae speaks several times about breaking the moral law - whenever one breaks the moral law he is sinning. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.html

I can see where criteria 2 and 3 are met. But the question, Is the use of birth control a grave matter. I think it depends on the type of birth control used. If the birth control causes an an abortion, then I can see how that it could be classified as a grave matter (It breaks one of the 10 commandments). But if it does not, what commandment are you breaking for it to be classified as a grave matter?

 

[Philip]

But if it does not, what commandment are you breaking for it to be classified as a grave matter?

Children are a blessing from God. If you are placing your will over God's will concerning this, it is certainly a grave matter. Further, as I mentioned before, I think that anytime one places their judgement over the teachings of the Church, it is a grave matter.

 

[Benedicta00]

Are you sure about Depo and Norplant? I thought they prevented ovulation.

Phillip,

These are the worse kind to use because you can guarantee that they at some point act an abortifant, the pill, you just never know.

Norplant after 2 years is strictly an abortifant, Depo, is so popular because the lowest amount of chemicals are used to prevent ovulation and the most amount of hormones are used to create in the uterus a hostile environment where pregnancy does not occur because the uterus will reject a fertilized egg.

 

[Benedicta00]

why is it a sin to use a condom or to pull out? hope ya dont mind "seperated brethren" joining in?

Because God did not create the martial act to be distorted by man. It is a unitive and procreative act and one simply can not decided, by his own manipulation, to change or altar what God has created.

 

[Acceptance]

why is it a sin to use a condom or to pull out? hope ya dont mind "seperated brethren" joining in?

If you are moved to perform an act of genuine love (sex due to pure lust is a whole other topic) and intercourse occurs as part of it, God may be giving you the miracle of a baby, yet because you have the condom on (or you pull out) you are rejecting God's miracle and His will.

 

[Cary.Melvin]

Well, I don't think anyone has really answered my question yet.

Is using contraception a mortal sin? Or is this subject like a hot potato that nobody wants to touch in our current cultural climate.

 

[Benedicta00]

Well, I don't think anyone has really answered my question yet.

Is using contraception a mortal sin? Or is this subject like a hot potato that nobody wants to touch in our current cultural climate.

Using any artificial means of B/C or a barrier method is a mortal sin, yes. I thought we all made that pretty clear. Contraception as a whole is a sin, one can also be in sin when using NFP. The contraception mentality feeds into the culture of death.

 

[Acceptance]

The Catechism defines 'contraception' in the following way:

CONTRACEPTION, ARTIFICIAL: The use of mechanical, chemical, or medical procedures to prevent conception from taking place as a result of sexual intercourse; contraception offends against the openness to procreation required of marriage and also the inner truth of conjugal love (2370).

It also says this:

2370Periodic continence, that is, the methods of birth regulation based on self-observation and the use of infertile periods, is in conformity with the objective criteria of morality.158 These methods respect the bodies of the spouses, encourage tenderness between them, and favor the education of an authentic freedom. In contrast, "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:159

Thus the innate LANGUAGE that expresses the total reciprocal self-giving of husband and wife is overlaid, through contraception, by an objectively contradictory LANGUAGE, namely, that of not giving oneself totally to the other. This leads not only to a positive refusal to be open to life but also to a falsification of the inner truth of conjugal love, which is called upon to give itself in personal totality. . . . The difference, both anthropological and moral, between contraception and recourse to the rhythm of the cycle . . . involves in the final analysis two irreconcilable concepts of the human person and of human sexuality.160​

2371<A name=2370> "Let all be convinced that human life and the duty of transmitting it are not limited by the horizons of this life only: their true evaluation and full significance can be understood only in reference to man's eternal destiny."161

and...

2376Techniques that entail the dissociation of husband and wife, by the intrusion of a person other than the couple (donation of sperm or ovum, surrogate uterus), are gravely immoral. These techniques (heterologous artificial insemination and fertilization) infringe the child's right to be born of a father and mother known to him and bound to each other by marriage. They betray the spouses' "right to become a father and a mother only through each other."167

2377Techniques involving only the married couple (homologous artificial insemination and fertilization) are perhaps less reprehensible, yet remain morally unacceptable. They dissociate the sexual act from the procreative act. The act which brings the child into existence is no longer an act by which two persons give themselves to one another, but one that "entrusts the life and identity of the embryo into the power of doctors and biologists and establishes the domination of technology over the origin and destiny of the human person. Such a relationship of domination is in itself contrary to the dignity and equality that must be common to parents and children."168 "Under the moral aspect procreation is deprived of its proper perfection when it is not willed as the fruit of the conjugal act, that is to say, of the specific act of the spouses' union. . . . Only respect for the link between the meanings of the conjugal act and respect for the unity of the human being make possible procreation in conformity with the dignity of the person."169

So there you go

 

[Acceptance]

one can also be in sin when using NFP

Of course, someone can always be living in sin, however practicing NFP does not a sin make. The Catholic church actually says this form of birth control is acceptable. Quoted from the Catechism:

2370 Periodic continence, that is, the methods of birth regulation based on self-observation and the use of infertile periods, is in conformity with the objective criteria of morality.158 These methods respect the bodies of the spouses, encourage tenderness between them, and favor the education of an authentic freedom.

 

[Benedicta00]

Of course, someone can always be living in sin, however practicing NFP does not a sin make. The Catholic church actually says this form of birth control is acceptable. Quoted from the Catechism:

Yes, I am aware of that. NFP is not intrinsically evil where as some/most ABC is. What causes one to sin by using NFP is their mentality, not the means but what causes one to sin using ABC is that the means is a sin all by itself and more sin is added when the mentality is the culture of death.

 

[Acceptance]

What causes one to sin by using NFP is their mentality

Ahh, this is true.