1. Contraception or Misconception:
An assessment of the Church’s stand on the issue of
contraceptives, the costs and benefits associated
with its use, and possible solutions moving forward
Lotachukwu Ofodile, Canisius College
Dr. Nancy Rourke, Advisor
Introduction
Contraception is defined as “…the prevention of
pregnancy by use of mechanical devices (such as
cervical caps, diaphragms, IUDs, and condoms) or
chemicals (such as the pill, the patch, and injectibles
like Depo Provera).” Some of these processes are
irreversible and permanent while others are not, but
for the purpose of this paper, I urge that we
distinguish between the non-permanent and non-
abortive methods (in other words those methods,
which only prevent fertilization/conception—the
actual fusing of the egg and sperm cells—such as
condoms, or “the pill”), and those that are. This is
because the Church still regards abortion and
sterilization as immoral.
It is also very important to note that the Church
believes that act of sex was designed by God to fulfill
only two purposes: as a means of unifying the
couple, and for procreation. Therefore by this
reasoning, sex is only meant for married couples for
the purpose of fostering intimacy between them,
and/or producing children.
http://www.drugoffice.gov.hk/eps/do/en/images/subtitle/consumer/news_informations/dm_10/2.jpg
Uses of Contraceptives
•Prevention of pregnancy
•Family planning—for social, financial, psychological,
health or physical reasons.
•Protection from STIs
Acknowledgements
Dr. Nancy Rourke, Religious Studies Department, Canisius
College - Faculty Advisor
Dr. Andrew Stewart, Biology Department, Canisius College -
Major Advisor
Discussion
References
Abstract
Contraception is still a very controversial issue in our world today. Most of the opposition comes from a religious
(Catholic) context because the Church believes that contraception goes against the ‘natural order of things’ and the
will of God in terms of sex and marriage. It becomes even trickier when one considers the different kinds of
contraceptives that exist, and the fact that some of them are permanent, while others are considered as being
abortive—another issue under contention by the Church. Despite the Church’s reservations, there are a lot of cases
in which contraception seems necessary, yet the Church still stands by their prohibition of contraception. The
question then becomes whether the Church should still absolutely and completely reject contraception (for both the
married and the unmarried), or whether it should make some exemptions or allowance for married couples,
especially as long as it is not implemented as an abortive/sterilizing measure (and while also taking to account the
intention and situation of the individual/couple involved). We will explore some of the Church’s reasons for refusing
abortion, and address what changes can be made, if any, and how to come about them.
The Church’s arguments
• Onan’s story in Genesis (Gen 38:8-10):
“Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her; raise up
offspring for your brother.” But since Onan knew that the offspring would not be his, he spilled his semen on the
ground whenever he went in to his brother’s wife, so that he would not give offspring to his brother. What he did was
displeasing in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death also.”
While this reiterates the notion that part of the functions of marriage is indeed to procreate, Onan was being
punished not for the single act of “spilling” but for his disobedience, and possibly greed.
• It goes against the purpose of sex (Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae):
“To use this divine gift (sex) while depriving it, even if only partially, of its meaning and purpose, is equally repugnant
to the nature of man and of woman, and is consequently in opposition to the plan of God and His holy will.”
• Natural conception (Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae):
“If therefore there are well-grounded reasons for spacing births, arising from the physical or psychological condition
of husband or wife, or from external circumstances, the Church teaches that married people may then take
advantage of the natural cycles immanent in the reproductive system and engage in marital intercourse only during
those times that are infertile.”
• It could involve sterilization or lead to *abortion
• The possibility that allowing the use of contraceptives will increase the frequency and rate of marital infidelity and
lead to the general lowering of moral standards—higher rates of pre-marital and extra marital sex.
• The fear that excessive use of contraceptives could result in an inadequate accordance of the respect due to
women and “disregarding her physical and emotional equilibrium, reduce her to being a mere instrument for the
satisfaction of his own desires, no longer considering her as his partner whom he should surround with care and
affection.”
*The church regards conception as the beginning of life, therefore anything that disrupts that process is considered abortion.
Although it may seem difficult to make sense out of some of the aforementioned reasons, especially the last two, the
fact remains that in the Church’s eyes, they are valid, and it is what we see happening all around us. These days, a
lot of people view contraception as a way of escaping the “consequences” of what the Church would refer to as
sexual immorality—sexual activity outside of marriage, whether premarital or extramarital. With the help of
contraceptives, consequences such as unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases are avoided and
prevented. People are now not only aware of, but also employ these contraceptive methods to erase whatever traits
or tangible proof there might be of their “recklessness” or infidelity.
Possible next steps
•Distinguish between non-abortive and temporary
means of abortion
•Consider the medical consequences involved
•Consider the need for family planning, especially in
the context of the parties involved
BUT…
Does the fact that people ignore the law mean that
the law should be abolished or even changed?
Conclusion
Even though there seem to be valid arguments on
both sides of the spectrum, it seems as though
there needs to be some sort reform on the side of
the Church, because the costs of not using
contraceptives seem to outweigh its benefits. The
mere fact is that whether or not sex is being
‘abused’ by people, married or not, there are people
who genuinely need to use contraceptives, be it to
prevent an unwanted pre-marital pregnancy
because they could not “resist temptation”, or for
family planning, or for any of the other reasons
listed, and as such, some exceptions need to be
made.
1. Paul VI. Humanae Vitae. (Encyclical of Pope Paul VI on the
Regulation of Birth) (July 1968).
2. Paul VI. Populorum Progressio (Encyclical of Pope Paul VI on
the Development of Peoples). (March 1967).
3. Panicola Michael R., Belde David M., Slosar John Paul
Repensek Mark F., Health Care Ethics: Theological
Foundations, Contemporary Issues and Controversial Cases.
Winona: Anselm Academics, Christian Brothers
Publications, 2007.
4. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, “What is
Contraception?” Love and Sexuality
5. The New Oxford Annotated Bible, New Revised Standard
Version.