Joshua Bennett
The Catholic Church is against all forms of birth control that it deems artificial, including the birth control pill, condoms, and medical procedures such as vasectomies and sterilization. The Church believes that sexual intercourse has two functions: unitive and procreative, and therefore each act could result in the creation of life. As such, not using contraception is seen as a way of allowing God to decide whether conception will take place. While a vasectomy is considered a grave matter by the Church, it is not an irreversible sin, and a sterilized man can still receive Communion through the sacrament of reconciliation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic Church's stance on birth control | Against all artificial methods |
| Contraception | Not allowed |
| Condoms, vasectomy, sterilization | Not allowed |
| Sexual intercourse | Two functions: unitive and procreative |
| Natural family planning | Allowed |
| Effectiveness of natural family planning | 90% for those who follow it correctly |
| Vasectomy | Grave matter, a mortal sin |
| Reconciliation | Requires sacrament of reconciliation |
| Reversal | Not required, but possible |
| Medical opinion | Majority of American doctors consider contraception morally licit |
| Medical risk | Pregnancy is riskier than sterilization |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Church's stance on birth control
> [T]he direct interruption of the generative process already begun and, above all, all direct abortion, even for therapeutic reasons, are to be absolutely excluded as lawful means of regulating the number of children. Equally to be condemned, as the magisterium of the Church has affirmed on many occasions, is direct sterilization, whether of the man or of the woman, whether permanent or temporary.
The Church believes that sexual intercourse has two functions: unitive and procreative. Therefore, each act of intercourse could result in the creation of life, and not using contraception is seen as a way of allowing God to decide whether conception will take place. The Church-approved method of birth control is Natural Family Planning (NFP), also known as the rhythm method, which involves abstaining from sex during the woman's most fertile phase, or period of ovulation.
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Contraception vs sterilisation
The Catholic Church's position on contraception and sterilisation is based on the belief that sexual intercourse has two functions: unitive and procreative. This means that each act of intercourse could result in the creation of life, and by not using contraception, Catholics believe they are allowing God to decide whether conception will take place.
The Church teaches that fertility is an integral part of the bonding power of marital intercourse, and that the mutual gift of fertility is part of God's gift to a married couple. Therefore, any action that proposes to "render procreation impossible" is considered a form of contraception and is not permitted. This includes all forms of artificial birth control, such as the birth control pill, condoms, and medical procedures such as vasectomies and female sterilisation.
The Church's teachings on contraception are derived from Scripture, Natural Law, Apostolic Tradition, the Magisterium, and human experience. The early Church Fathers recognised that the purpose of sexual intercourse in natural law is procreation, and so contraceptive sex, which deliberately blocks that purpose, is considered a violation of natural law.
However, the Church does permit Natural Family Planning (NFP), which involves abstaining from intercourse when a woman is in the most fertile phase of her menstrual cycle. NFP is considered morally permissible in cases where pregnancy would gravely jeopardise a woman's health.
While the Catholic Church strongly opposes all forms of artificial contraception and sterilisation, it is important to note that it does not oppose the use of hormonal medications for legitimate medical purposes, provided there is no contraceptive intent.
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Natural Family Planning (NFP)
The Catholic Church is against all forms of birth control that it deems artificial. This includes contraception such as the birth control pill and condoms, as well as medical procedures such as vasectomies and sterilisations. The Church believes that sexual intercourse has two functions: unitive and procreative. This means that each act could result in the creation of life, and not using contraception is the way of allowing God to decide whether conception will take place.
NFP is unique in that it enables users to work with the body rather than against it. Fertility is viewed as a gift and a reality to live, not a problem to be solved. NFP methods respect procreation and can even deepen the intimacy of a married couple. They are also good for the body, avoiding the harmful side effects caused by contraception. NFP charting can assist in the diagnosis of underlying medical problems and help couples pinpoint the most fertile time in a woman's cycle if they are trying to conceive.
NFP relies on couple communication and behaviour change. It requires a shared commitment and cooperation between husband and wife. It is most effective when learned from a qualified instructor who is certified from an NFP teacher training program.
The two main types of NFP are:
- Fertility awareness method: tracking periods to see when you are most fertile and avoiding sex or using condoms on those days.
- Lactational amenorrhoea method: breastfeeding your baby for up to 6 months to delay ovulation.
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The sacrament of reconciliation
The Catholic Church's position is that it is against all forms of birth control that it deems artificial. This includes the birth control pill, condoms, and medical procedures such as vasectomies and sterilization. The Church believes that sexual intercourse has two functions: unitive and procreative. Therefore, each act could result in the creation of life, and not using contraception is the way of allowing God to decide whether conception will take place.
The Church approves of Natural Family Planning (NFP), which involves abstaining from intercourse when a woman is in the most fertile phase of her menstrual cycle. For couples who have chosen sterilization, the Sacrament of Penance ("Confession" or "Reconciliation") is indispensable and unsurpassed. It is necessary before the reception of the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist for those who have consented to the sin of direct sterilization.
According to Catholic doctrine, deliberate sterilization is a "forgivable" sin. Those who have committed it need not be banned from Paradise and can be absolved and spiritually healed. The Sacrament of Reconciliation can help those who have chosen sterilization to show genuine sorrow for their actions and assume their place in the Christian community.
It is important to note that Catholic moral theology differentiates contraception from sterilization. While sterilization is considered a grave sin, the use of contraception may be morally permissible in certain circumstances, such as when a couple needs to avoid pregnancy for health reasons. In such cases, Natural Family Planning or other forms of fertility awareness methods may be recommended.
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Moral licitness of contraception
The Catholic Church is against all forms of birth control that it deems artificial. This includes contraception methods such as the birth control pill, condoms, and medical procedures such as vasectomies and sterilization. The Church's stance is based on the belief that sexual intercourse has two functions: unitive and procreative. Therefore, each act of intercourse could result in the creation of life, and refraining from using contraception is seen as allowing God to decide whether conception occurs. The Church promotes Natural Family Planning (NFP), where intercourse is avoided during the woman's most fertile phase, as a morally permissible method of family planning.
The Church considers a vasectomy to be a form of direct sterilization, which is deemed gravely sinful, regardless of the circumstances. It is argued that fertility is a natural state of health, and that procedures like vasectomies alienate individuals from their natural functions. By deliberately mutilating a healthy organ, it is believed that the procedure undermines the God-inscribed bond between the love-giving and life-giving aspects of the marital act.
However, some Catholics may struggle to reconcile this stance with the medical establishment, especially when faced with the respected opinion of doctors who advocate for contraception and sterilization as morally licit. In cases where pregnancy gravely jeopardizes a woman's health, some Catholics may consider medical procedures as a "remedy". Nevertheless, the Church maintains that a vasectomy, in particular, is morally impermissible, and that Natural Family Planning is the appropriate method to be practiced with discipline.
Catholics who have undergone a vasectomy are not prohibited from receiving Communion, but they are considered to have committed a mortal sin. To be restored to a state of grace, they can seek the sacrament of reconciliation, which does not require reversing the vasectomy.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church is against all forms of birth control that it deems artificial, including vasectomies. The church believes that sexual intercourse has two functions: unitive and procreative, and that each act could result in the creation of life. Therefore, not using contraception is the way of allowing God to decide whether conception will take place.
The church's approved method is Natural Family Planning (NFP), where intercourse is avoided when a woman is in the most fertile phase of her menstrual cycle. NFP requires particular discipline but is believed by the church to be 90% effective or more for those who follow it correctly.
A vasectomy is considered a mortal sin, and a man who has had one can be restored to a state of grace and permitted to receive Communion again through the sacrament of reconciliation. The Church does not require that the vasectomy be reversed.
