Why I’m Opposed To The Reproductive Health Bill (Part 2)

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Catholic Teaching on Sexual Morality

Like any good parent, the Church reminds her children not only what is forbidden but also why it is so. To understand why contraception is immoral, we need to remember our Church’s teachings on the essence and meaning of sex.

• Sex is sacred.

This has often been said but what does it mean? We say this mainly because through sex, God creates the miracle of life; through sex, God made co-creators of husband and wife. Therefore, to use contraceptives, is to contracept not only God’s creative powers but ultimately, God Himself.

• Sex is for procreation.

We need to remember that the natural purpose of sex is for procreation. Sex, if we let nature takes its course, creates babies – new persons with immortal souls. Therefore, to hinder conception by the use of contraceptives is a perversion of nature.

• Sex is an act of spousal love.

During sex, spouses mutually surrender themselves to one another; 9 months later, the love between husband and wife becomes another person. In Theology of the Body, Pope John Paul II tells us that in a profound way, sex, as an act of spousal love, mirrors the eternal exchange of love within the Blessed Trinity. Therefore, the use of contraceptives reduces sex from an expression of agape to that of mere pleasure; from an act of selflessness to that of selfishness; from a reflection of the Divine Love to that of an animal impulse.

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Why I’m Opposed To The Reproductive Health Bill (Part 1)

photo courtesy of xlynx

Let me get straight to the point: I’m opposed to the Reproductive Health Bill because I’m Catholic; I don’t see how it’s possible to support the bill while remaining faithful to fundamental Catholic teachings on sexual morality. The following are my reasons for believing so:

Teaching Authority of the Church

The Magisterium has always, that is, from the very beginning, condemned the use of contraceptives as a sin.

• According to the Catechism (summary of Catholic beliefs):

“…“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…” (2370)

Moreover, 2 essential encyclicals further expounds on the immorality of contraceptives:

• Humanae Vitae (Pope Paul VI)

“Similarly excluded is any action which either before, at the moment of, or after sexual intercourse, is specifically intended to prevent procreation—whether as an end or as a means.” (14)

• Theology of the Body (Pope John Paul II)

“Two actions that are ethically different, indeed, even opposed, derive from this: the natural regulation of fertility is morally correct; contraception is not morally correct.” (118 – Faithfulness to the Divine Plan in the Transmission of Life)

These are just a few of the many Church teachings condemning the use of contraceptives. One would expect these to be definitive enough to settle the issue, yet some Catholics, including few members of the clergy, still question the Church’s teachings on contraceptives. Further reflection would lead one to remember the fact that heresies have always been a part of the Church’s history. To my mind, there is no doubt that the greatest heresies of this day and age are those concerning sex and consequently, contraceptives.

Our Mother Church’s teachings are very old; in fact, she teaches us nothing new, but merely interprets the lessons given by her Divine Founder. Therefore, due to its divine origins, her teachings are constant and unchanging. Contrary to what some may believe, her stance on controversial issues such as homosexual marriage, female priestesses, abortion and contraceptives doesn’t rest on having a “liberal” Pope or not; the Vicar of Christ can only affirm but can neither abolish nor alter the commandments given by Christ Himself. She is faithful, not fickle; her teachings concern only with the Truth, not with what’s deemed “politically correct”. As Pope Benedict XVI said, “What was true yesterday is true also today”.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4