The Roman Catholic Church and Family Planning. Time for a change? (ePub)

The Roman Catholic Church has always been opposed to the use of artificial methods of contraception. Only the so called Natural Methods of Family Planning (also called the Fertility Awareness Methods) are allowed. The author argues that these natural methods are satisfying and effective under ideal circumstances and when practiced by educated and dedicated couples. However under less than ideal circumstances, especially in developing countries and for those people living under dismal and dangerous conditions, the natural methods have a high and unacceptable failure rate. There are many effective methods of contraception available but they are banned by the Catholic Church. The author is a practicing obstetrician and gynecologist with broad cross cultural experience. He argues not from a theological perspective but from his practical viewpoint and experience that the time is overdue for the Catholic Church to change its teaching and allow the use of artifice methods family planning.

He also argues that in the Western World this issue may seem "passé" as many catholics have already decided to ignore their Church's directive and are waiting for the hierarchy to catch up.Theologians and practicing catholics in the Western World have no longer an interest in pursuing the hierarchy of their Church for a change. That seems a selfish attitude as in developing countries and for millions of people living under dismal and dangerous conditions, making up their own minds and ignoring the teaching of their Church about Family Planning, or alternatively to go elsewhere is not an option.This exposes them to unplanned pregnancies with all its consequences.

The author opines that therefor the issue is not passé and that a continuing effort by catholics everywhere is a must, to hopefully pressure the Church's Hierarchy to come around, change the teaching of the Church about Family Planning and allow effective and safe methods of contraception. Such a decision by the Church would benefit everyone, but especially those catholics around the world who may have no other option than to follow the official teaching of their Church as it pertains to planning their families.