Ethan Walker
The Catholic Church has a long-standing opposition to artificial birth control, rooted in its teachings on natural law and the sanctity of life. The Church emphasizes that contraception fundamentally alters the natural purpose of marital relations by separating the unitive and procreative aspects of sex, thus conflicting with its teachings on the sanctity of marriage and the creation of life. Despite this, a significant number of Catholics use birth control. Recent data from the National Survey of Family Growth shows that over 90% of Catholics have used condoms, and more than 60% have used the hormonal birth control pill. These findings reflect a broader trend of Catholics grappling with the Church's doctrine on birth control, with many advocating for a more nuanced understanding that considers individual circumstances and health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Catholic women who have used a method of contraception other than natural family planning | 98% |
| Percentage of Catholic women who are at risk of unintended pregnancy and use a highly effective contraceptive method | 68% |
| Percentage of Catholic women who are at risk of unintended pregnancy and use condoms | 15% |
| Percentage of Catholic women who are at risk of unintended pregnancy and use other methods such as withdrawal | 4% |
| Percentage of Catholic women who are at risk of unintended pregnancy and use natural family planning | 2% |
| Percentage of Catholic women who are at risk of unintended pregnancy and use no method of contraception | 11% |
| Percentage of Catholic women who are at risk of unintended pregnancy and use sterilization | 25% |
| Percentage of Catholic women who are at risk of unintended pregnancy and use long-acting reversible contraceptives | 15% |
| Percentage of Catholic women who are at risk of unintended pregnancy and use hormonal methods | 25% |
| Percentage of Catholics who say the Church should allow birth control | 66% or more in Latin America and the US |
| Percentage of Catholics in Peru who want the Church to allow birth control | 12% increase |
| Percentage of Catholics in Brazil who want the Church to allow birth control | 12% decrease |
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What You'll Learn
Contraception usage among Catholics
The Catholic Church has a long-standing opposition to artificial birth control, rooted in its teachings on natural law and the sanctity of life. The Church emphasizes that contraception fundamentally alters the natural purpose of marital relations by separating the unitive and procreative aspects of sex, which is seen as incompatible with its teachings on the sanctity of marriage and the creation of life. Despite this, a significant number of Catholics use contraceptives.
Recent data from the federally administered National Survey of Family Growth shows that large majorities of Catholics (over 90%) report using at least one form of artificial contraception, with 90% having used condoms and more than 60% having used the hormonal birth control pill. This is despite the fact that, in 1968, St. Paul VI declared in his encyclical Humanae Vitae that “any action … specifically intended to prevent procreation” was “absolutely excluded” as a lawful means of regulating the number of children in a Catholic marriage.
Among all women who are at risk of unintended pregnancy, 69% (including 68% of Catholics) are currently using a highly effective contraceptive method, such as male or female sterilization, the IUD, the pill, or another hormonal method. Another 14% (15% among Catholics) are relying on condoms, and 5% (4% among Catholics) are relying on other methods, such as withdrawal. Only 1% of all women at risk of unintended pregnancy (2% of Catholics) use natural family planning, the only method of contraception sanctioned by the Catholic Church.
While the Church's teachings on birth control have traditionally been unambiguous, there is a growing dialogue among Catholics regarding the use of contraceptives, with some advocating for a more nuanced understanding that considers individual circumstances and the health of couples. Many church members believe that the church should adapt its teachings to reflect contemporary realities, including the practical needs of families. This reflects a tension between established doctrine and the evolving perspectives of believers.
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Catholic Church's stance on birth control
The Catholic Church has long opposed the use of artificial birth control methods, considering it a mortal sin and grounds for excommunication. The Church's stance is based on the belief that intercourse is sacred and intended for procreation, and that contraception interferes with God's will. This position was formalized in 1968 by Pope Paul VI in his encyclical letter, Humanae Vitae, which stated that any action specifically intended to prevent procreation was "absolutely excluded" as a lawful means of regulating the number of children in a Catholic marriage. The letter also specified that all sex acts must be both unitive and procreative.
For devout Catholics, this leaves only abstinence or the rhythm method (abstaining from sex during the woman's period of ovulation) as acceptable forms of birth control. However, the rhythm method is unreliable and has been criticized for placing a strain on marital relations. The Church does approve of natural family planning methods, such as the use of sophisticated apps that make natural family planning easier and more effective.
Despite the Church's stance, many Catholics use artificial contraception. Recent data shows that large majorities of Catholics report using at least one form of artificial contraception, with over 90% having used condoms and more than 60% having used the hormonal birth control pill. This has been attributed to a variety of factors, including the belief that parents should be able to care for the children they have and not overtax family resources. Additionally, some Catholics may not fully understand or agree with the Church's teachings on birth control.
The Church has faced criticism and dissent from within its own ranks regarding its stance on contraception. Some argue that the Church's teachings on birth control are not well communicated or understood by the laity, and that the culture's influence has taken precedence over the Church's message. There have also been calls for a more compassionate response to Catholics who use artificial contraception, while still firmly upholding Catholic sexual ethics.
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Catholics' views on birth control
The Catholic Church's stance on birth control is that it is gravely sinful. The Church teaches that the primary purpose of intercourse is the sacred act of procreation. According to Church doctrine, interfering with God's will is a mortal sin and grounds for excommunication. The Bible mentions at least one form of contraception, coitus interruptus, and condemns it.
The Church's teachings on birth control are derived from Scripture, Natural Law, Apostolic Tradition, the Magisterium, and human experience. Marriage is a sacrament with both unitive and procreative ends. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "fecundity is a gift; an end of marriage, for conjugal love naturally tends to be fruitful".
However, recent data from the federally administered National Survey of Family Growth shows that large majorities of Catholics report using at least one form of artificial contraception, with over 90% having used condoms and more than 60% having used the hormonal birth control pill. Among Catholic women who are at risk of unintended pregnancy, 25% use sterilization, 15% use long-acting reversible contraceptives (like IUDs), and 25% use hormonal methods (like birth control pills).
Some experts attribute the high usage of artificial contraception among Catholics to a "crisis of catechesis within the Church", while others argue that the laity "have not generally heard the Church's good message on sex". Church leaders and lay advocates have been working to counteract the huge Catholic uptake in contraception by promoting natural family planning.
It is worth noting that the use of birth control is not unique to Catholics, as people across different religions use various methods of contraception.
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Natural family planning
The Catholic Church supports NFP because it respects God's design for married love and is in line with Catholic teaching on morality. The Church teaches that all forms of artificial birth control are illicit and forbidden to married couples, as declared by St. Paul VI in 1968 in his encyclical Humanae Vitae. According to the Church, NFP represents the only authentic approach to family planning for Catholic couples as it can be used to both achieve and avoid pregnancy.
Despite the Church's teachings, data shows that many Catholics use artificial forms of contraception. Recent data from the National Survey of Family Growth shows that large majorities of Catholics report using at least one form of artificial contraception, with over 90% having used condoms and more than 60% having used the hormonal birth control pill. Among Catholic women at risk of unintended pregnancy, 25% use sterilization, 15% use long-acting reversible contraceptives (like IUDs), and 25% use hormonal methods.
The low uptake of NFP among Catholics has been attributed to various factors, including the influence of Western culture, a lack of education on the Church's teachings, and the silence of priests on the birth control issue. Church leaders and lay advocates have been working to promote NFP through various means, such as providing resources, classes, and directories of NFP instructors.
While NFP usage rates among Catholics have traditionally been low, there may be a small increase due to the development of sophisticated apps that make NFP easier and more effective to use.
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Catholics' use of artificial contraception
The Catholic Church has always maintained a stance against the use of artificial contraception, deeming it "intrinsically evil". This belief was formalized in 1968 by Pope Paul VI in his encyclical letter, Humanae Vitae, which stated that "any action which, either in anticipation of the conjugal act [sexual intercourse], 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". This letter reemphasized the Church's constant teaching that it is always wrong to use contraception to prevent procreation.
Despite the Church's stance, data shows that a large majority of Catholics use artificial contraception. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 98% of Catholic women of reproductive age have used a method of contraception other than natural family planning. Similarly, recent data from the National Survey of Family Growth shows that over 90% of Catholics have used condoms, and more than 60% have used the hormonal birth control pill.
There are several reasons why Catholics may choose to use artificial contraception despite the Church's teachings. One reason could be the belief that parents should be able to provide for the children they already have and not overburden scarce family resources. Additionally, some Catholics may prioritize the health benefits of planned pregnancies, as research shows that they involve healthier behaviors and outcomes than unplanned pregnancies.
It is worth noting that the Church does allow for natural family planning, which does not involve artificial interference. Methods such as the rhythm method, which involves abstaining from sex during the woman's period of ovulation, are considered acceptable by the Church. However, the effectiveness of these methods is often unreliable, which may contribute to the use of artificial contraception among Catholics.
While the Church's teachings on birth control have been a consistent part of Catholic doctrine, there have been dissenting voices within the Catholic community. Some Western Catholics have voiced significant disagreement with the Church's stance, and there have been calls for a more compassionate response to those who use artificial contraception.
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Frequently asked questions
98% of Catholic women have used a method of contraception other than natural family planning. 87% of Catholic women at risk of unintended pregnancy use a method other than natural family planning.
25% use sterilization, 15% use long-acting reversible contraceptives (like IUDs), and 25% use hormonal methods (like birth control pills). 15% of Catholic women use condoms.
The Catholic Church maintains a longstanding position that birth control fundamentally alters the natural purpose of marital relations. The Church teaches that procreation is a primary purpose of marriage, and any action that deliberately obstructs this purpose is viewed as morally unacceptable. The Church only sanctions natural family planning methods.
Catholics in Latin America and the U.S. tend to say the Catholic Church should allow birth control. However, Catholics who pray daily are less likely than other Catholics to agree.
