Catholics To Pope: Lift Birth Control Ban

Dissident Catholic Groups Publish Letter Citing "Catastrophic Effects" Of Church's Ban

(AP)  More than 50 dissident Catholic groups from around the world have written an open letter asking Pope Benedict XVI to lift the church's ban on birth control.

Taking a half-page ad in the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, the groups said Friday that the Church's ban on artificial birth control has had "catastrophic effects," particularly in the fight against AIDS.

The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said the accusation was "clearly unfounded" and insisted the Church is active in combating AIDS.

The groups published their appeal on the 40th anniversary of the 1968 encyclical "Humanae Vitae" ("On Human Life") — the document issued by Pope Paul VI that prohibits Catholics from using artificial contraception.

The initiative was spearheaded by Catholics for Choice, a Washington based pro-choice advocacy group, but the letter was signed by organizations from countries across the Americas and Europe.

The ban on contraception "has had catastrophic effects on the poor and weak of the whole world, putting in danger the lives of women and exposing millions of people to the risk of contracting HIV," the letter published in Corriere said.

It urged Benedict to begin a "reform process," saying that, especially in poor countries, the Church was using its influence to block family planning programs and condom distributions.

Lombardi denounced the ad "as paid propaganda for the use of contraceptives."

"Policies against AIDS based mainly on the distribution of condoms have largely failed," Lombardi said in a statement. "The answer to AIDS requires deeper and more complex interventions, in which the Church is active on many fronts."

[jasmperez]

Are the dissidents saying that aids is spread by people who refuse to use contraceptives because it is against church teaching and yet have *** with no compunction or impunity?

[jasmperez]

Are the dissidents saying that aids is spread by people who refuse to use contraceptives because it is against church teaching and yet have intimate relations with no compunction or impunity?

[dmgenet]

When Martin Luther posted his grievances he had no intention of starting a movement. Yet, he tapped into an intense dissatisfaction with the Catholic hierarchy. People understood all too well how corrupt the church had become and Martin Luther lit the match to the fuse.

The Catholic Church, at the top, is morally corrupt. They have barely moved from their misogynist roots, and like a lot of religions, have bent and corrupted Jesus'' teachings. They took their 13th century ideals and continue to propagate them even though multitudes of religious scholars see no biblical support for them. (i.e., only men can become priests.)

If the so-called radicals of the Catholic Church want to change the church leave the church and start another one. After all, Islam was partially started because they felt Judaism and Christianity had failed God''s Word.

[gwagener]

Technically, the RCC allows use of burth control in two forms: abstinence and the rhythm method.
People are theoretically only supposed to have sexx with their spouse and only for the purpose of having children, but if spouses must have sexx without trying to have a baby, they have to do it without contraception when the woman is not in the right time of the month.
People who practice the rhythm method are commonly known as "mommy and daddy."
This policy is intended to make more Catholics, but "catastrophic effects" is an understatement.

[erasmus81]

Anyone that I have known that is Catholic, has already lifted the ban themselves.:)

[edward1975-2009]

World to Pope: Turn over all the pedophiles that hide behind Rome. Never again pay hush money to hide the churches embarassment. And denounce these criminals for what they are.

[duntaday]

When will you silly puritans end your charade and accept reality?

[gwagener]

When will you silly puritans end your charade and accept reality?
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Posted by duntaday at 05:16 PM : Jul 25, 2008

Reality and all religions are incopatible, therefore, if they accept reality, they have to close up shop

[jasmperez]

That''s OK. I did not really expect anyone to answer my question on the topic anyway. Just some people that like to practice their typing I guess.

[libsluv2spit]

Reality and all religions are incopatible, therefore, if they accept reality, they have to close up shop


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Posted by gwagener at 05:23 PM : Jul 25, 2008
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the reality of it is, as long as humans are pretty much limited on intelligence THERE WILL BE RELIGION or at least some form ''ideology'' that they would to cling to. and reality of it is..passing out birth control devices WILL NOT CURE AIDS nor WILL IT HINDER IT..

it will be another africa..you keep on handing out food till the end of time but intead the fall deeper in nned..

REALITY IS: to cure this would require sacrifice..and medical technology..

[libsluv2spit]

Are the dissidents saying that aids is spread by people who refuse to use contraceptives because it is against church teaching and yet have intimate relations with no compunction or impunity?



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Posted by jasmperez at 04:52 PM : Jul 25, 2008
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YES IT IS..because its an eaasier way and diverts attention AWAY from the real problem..JUST LIKE AFRICA AND POVERTY.

[shippg-2009]

It would be nice if scientists could come up with a birth control pill that prevents ovulation. As it stands now, they prevent implantation, which means a fertilized egg is lost/killed. That is THE problem for a lot of people, not just Catholics.

[libsluv2spit]

It would be nice if scientists could come up with a birth control pill that prevents ovulation. As it stands now, they prevent implantation, which means a fertilized egg is lost/killed. That is THE problem for a lot of people, not just Catholics.


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Posted by shippg at 05:51 PM : Jul 25, 2008
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there is one ever better..castration

[lovegetpeace]

These Catholic groups should create their own religion to save the earth just like all the other branches of religions.

[lovegetpeace]

Posted by Edward1975 at 05:13 PM : Jul 25, 2008

Evangelicals are also No Angels with respect to child abuses.

[lovegetpeace]

If people can change a religion, then that religion is nolonger a religion since it nolonger got followers.

[jasmperez]

*************
YES IT IS..because its an eaasier way and diverts attention AWAY from the real problem..JUST LIKE AFRICA AND POVERTY.

Posted by libsluv2spit at 05:37 PM : Jul 25, 2008

What''s an easier way? What''s the real problem?

[papabc]

Hay! If birth control, pill and abortion, has been wrong for many years then why should the pope turn his back on tha now.

The Pope should hold fast to the Churchs beliefs.

[sandy19731]

It would be nice if scientists could come up with a birth control pill that prevents ovulation. As it stands now, they prevent implantation, which means a fertilized egg is lost/killed. That is THE problem for a lot of people, not just Catholics.
Posted by shippg at 05:51 PM : Jul 25, 2008

You make a strong point. But, it would be a bit ironic if science could save the church.

[omded]

The biggest problem caused by the discouragement of birth control is human overpopulation. Just about every problem faced by the human race today is, in some way, linked to human overpopulation, and this problem grows exponentially worse with time. However, the reason various religious organizations and political leaders oppose contraception is that they want an overpopulated world. It ensures an ample supply of soldiers, laborers and devotees (keeps those pews full every Sunday). This is how it always has been, and, it''s how it will probably always be. The "pope" will only redouble his efforts to convince people not to use contraception.

[libsluv2spit]

YES IT IS..because its an eaasier way and diverts attention AWAY from the real problem..JUST LIKE AFRICA AND POVERTY.

Posted by libsluv2spit at 05:37 PM : Jul 25, 2008

What''''s an easier way? What''''s the real problem?



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Posted by jasmperez at 06:18 PM : Jul 25, 2008
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it is easy to pass the fault to the church''s refusal to lift its point of view towads birth control..

and the real problem is not passing the birth control to stop the spread of AIDS..

its people "looking before they jump" that would stop the spread of AIDS..

[libsluv2spit]

Posted by jasmperez at 06:18 PM : Jul 25, 2008
+ report abuse

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and yes JUST LIKE AFRICA we pass the fault to ''wealthy nations'' who are not giving food fast enough..

the real problem..africans cannot seem to rise and govern themselves..

[libsluv2spit]

The biggest problem caused by the discouragement of birth control is human overpopulation. Just about every problem faced by the human race today is, in some way, linked to human overpopulation, and this problem grows exponentially worse with time. However, the reason various religious organizations and political leaders oppose contraception is that they want an overpopulated world. It ensures an ample supply of soldiers, laborers and devotees (keeps those pews full every Sunday). This is how it always has been, and, it''''s how it will probably always be. The "pope" will only redouble his efforts to convince people not to use contraception.


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Posted by omded at 06:53 PM : Jul 25, 2008
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that is such an x-file''ish drug induced conspiracy theorist mumbo jumbo...these people have access to ''birth control'' anything anywhere..a priest does not stand in every drug store giving everyone who buys a condom the evil eye..the planet is overpopulated because PEOPLE SIMPLY DO NOT FU CKING CARE!!!!!!!!!!!!
to device this sinister ploy by the church and ''political organizations'' is an EASY EXCUSE....from simple minded people.

[mensarino]

And why do these people care what an 80 year old celibate has to say on a subject he purpotedly has no first hand experience with?

[scottyusa]

I have to tell you that a ban from using artificial contraception in this day and age is rediculous. All of our problems can be traced to over population. This includes global warming and the rapid depletion of our resources. Tine for the church to get its head out of the sand and come into the 21st century. Islam should do the same.

[sistatee-2009]

Pope to the Catholics: "We''re working on the issue. We''ll get back to you in three or four hundred years."

[rushlimpdrug]

He should first rid the world of witches,
and bad breath.

These issues are more pressing than
birth control.

Oh, and if he could do something about
the sun revolving around the earth
that would be great.

[mercurygrand]

That aborted child might be the next Jesus or scientist that solves global warming. The earth is running out of fuel, food, rain forest and clean air. The Catholic church will never change. We need a time machine to find out what Jesus would think of today''s Catholic church. Peter, Paul,, ect. Did not agree on everything also.

[cmoreau2]

Pope Paul VI made four rather general "prophecies" about what would happen if the Church''s teaching on contraception were ignored.

Infidelity and moral decline

The Pope first noted that the widespread use of contraception would "lead to conjugal infidelity and the general lowering of morality." That there has been a widespread decline in morality, especially sexual morality, in the last 25 years, is very difficult to deny. The increase in the number of divorces, abortion, our-of-wedlock pregnancies, and venereal diseases should convince any skeptic that sexual morality is not the strong suit of our age.

There is no question that contraception is behind much of this trouble. Contraception has made sexual activity a much more popular option that it was when the fear of pregnancy deterred a great number of young men and women from engaging in premarital sexual intercourse. The availability of contraception has led them to believe that they can engage in premarital sexual activity "responsibly." But teenagers are about as responsible in their use of contraception as they are in all other phases of their lives--such as making their beds, cleaning their rooms and getting their homework done on time.

[cmoreau2]

continued quote of Janet Smith
Prophesy #2
Lost Respect for Women

Paul VI also argued that "the man" will lose respect for "the woman" and "no longer (care) for her physical and psychological equilibrium" and will come to "the point of considering her as a mere instrument of selfish enjoyment and no longer as his respected and beloved companion." This concern reflects what has come to be known as a "personalist" understanding of morality. The personalist understanding of wrongdoing is based upon respect for the dignity of the human person. The Pope realized that the Church''s teaching on contraception is designed to protect the good of conjugal love. When spouses violate this good, they do not act in accord with their innate dignity and thus they endanger their own happiness. Treating their bodies as mechanical instruments to be manipulated for their own purposes, they risk treating each other as objects of pleasure.

[cmoreau2]

prophesy 3 continue quote from Janet Smith
Abuse of Power

Paul VI also observed that the widespread acceptance of contraception would place a "dangerous weapon... in the hands of those public authorities who take no heed of moral exigencies." The history of the family-planning programs in the Third World is a sobering testimony to this reality. In Third World countries many people undergo sterilization unaware of what they are doing. The forced abortion program in China shows the stark extreme toward which governments will take population programs. Moreover, few people are willing to recognize the growing evidence that many parts of the world face not overpopulation, but underpopulation. It will take years to reverse the "anti-child" mentality now entrenched in many societies.

[cmoreau2]

Earlier comments about the "rythm method" were ignorant. Periodic abstenance would be more accurate. Several methods used to identify periods of natural female fertilty exist. They include sympto thermal methods that indicate fertility when it is happening. Billings ovulation method and the Creighton Model FertilityCare System use observation of mucus changes. These symptoms based methods have failure rate of around 2% which is similar to morally problematic contraception. (check wikipedia for NFP; Natural Family Planning). Using them also avoides the moral problems and costs identified by the Catholic Church. Just look up how low the divorce rate is for couple that practive NFP and the statics on their sexual satisfaction.

[edintex]

If catholics dont agree with the Catholic church, they are, and have always been free to go somewhere else tp worship. The Catholic church does not operate like a democracy. It never did from the very beginning.

[cmoreau2]

By they way, what is up with the headline of this story "Catholics To Pope:" How about marginal dissidents to Pope. Catholocism is a creedal religion, eg it''s stated what we believe up front. Catholics for Free Choice, is NOT Catholic. Their agenda is the antithesis of Catholic belief. They are merely well funded but low membership # PR machine for pro-abortion interests.

[omded]

cmoreau2,
Yes, the populations in some areas, such as New Zealand, are decreasing, however, the overall world population is increasing at a sobering rate. Increasing populations require increasing amounts of land, food, and energy to servive. They also produce increasing amounts of waste. Hence, the destruction of the world''s rain forests and other forested areas, the overfishing of our oceans and resultant decline in fish populations, the increasing release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, increasing problem of cultivable soil erosion, and the increasing pollution levels in our world''s oceans. This planet and the atmosphere around it are a biolgical system, and, as these problems push it further and further out of balance, it decreases its ability to support human life. In other words, we''re on a path that will cause tremendous loss of human life as as well as human suffering. Indeed, these efforts to discourage the use of contraception could ultimately cause the extinction of our human species.

[cmoreau2]

Omded,
Use of Natural Family Planning does not preclude the limiting of family size (and as previously stated, it works). NFP is also very afordable for the third world (it''s free). From a Catholic perspective, for serious reasons one can use NFP. You certainly list serious reasons. So why blame the Church? Pope Benedict recently emphasized our moral obligations with respect to the environment.

[omded]

cmoreau2,
I disagree regarding the effectiveness of Natural Family Planning. Clearly, religious organizations aren''t all bad, however, their discouragement of contraception is a major contributor to human overpopulation, which has already become a major challenge to our survival, and a major contributor to human suffering.

I applaud the pope for his stance on protecting our environment, however, there is no question that his position on contraception is, and will continue to cause serious environmental damage. I don''t think the pope wishes any damage to the environmnet, however, it is an undeniable, if unintended consequence.

It''s somewhat ironic that a group of people are now wrestling for control of the Catholic Church. This is the exact same thing that happened back at the church''s inception, when the "forces of Paul" fought so hard to eliminate the memory of the late James and the Family of Jesus. Perhaps James and the Jesus Family still live on, and are stronger than we realized.

[cmoreau2]

Ombed,
Your challenge of the affectivness of Natural Family Planning methods is without support or reference. I recommend you use Wikipedia as a stating point for seeing the studies. The numbers stand: 2% failure rates. By the way, in impoverished areas of the world NFP is more viable than forms of contraception which require money that is simply not there. It frees third world countries from an un-healthy dependencies on the corporate big pharma machine. ;-)

[cmoreau2]

Ombed,
Your challenge of the affectivness of Natural Family Planning methods is without support or reference. I recommend you use Wikipedia as a stating point for seeing the studies. The numbers stand: 2% failure rates. By the way, in impoverished areas of the world NFP is more viable than forms of contraception which require money that is simply not there. It frees third world countries from an un-healthy dependencies on the corporate big pharma machine. ;-)

[cmoreau2]

Omded,

Also with regard to your James comments. I believe you''ve been reading too much fiction by Dan Brown and not enough theological and historical scholarly work. A google search on "Cracking the Da Vinci Code" will provide more than enough scholarly work to correct your misperceptions.

[cmoreau2]

Omded,

Also with regard to your James comments. I believe you''ve been reading too much fiction by Dan Brown and not enough theological and historical scholarly work. A google search on "Cracking the Da Vinci Code" will provide more than enough scholarly work to correct your misperceptions.

[lbeyers1]

Prior to Vatican II, many Catholic Scholars were pushing hard for a more understanding and compassionate view of *** within marriage. Among our youth, the current position of the Church on contraception has done more damage to the Church''s credibility than the clergy molest controversey. The great Cardinal Newman, who once pointed out that conscience is supreme, also argued that no one should leave the Church unless forced to leave . So catholics will not leave over the issue of birth control. But they may not be eager to have their sons and daughters enter the religious life. And they may choose to take out their frustration when the collection plate comes around. (Catholic
Relief Services offers a wonderful alternative) The Church belongs to all catholics, not just conservatives. Vast numbers of the laity are expressing their views at the ballot box--even in Ireland. If we are all patient, the Holy Spirit will sort this out in his own time. After all, the world was once square, and now it is round.

[lbeyers1]

Prior to Vatican II, many Catholic Scholars were pushing hard for a more understanding and compassionate view of *** within marriage. Among our youth, the current position of the Church on contraception has done more damage to the Church''s credibility than the clergy molest controversey. The great Cardinal Newman, who once pointed out that conscience is supreme, also argued that no one should leave the Church unless forced to leave . So catholics will not leave over the issue of birth control. But they may not be eager to have their sons and daughters enter the religious life. And they may choose to take out their frustration when the collection plate comes around. (Catholic
Relief Services offers a wonderful alternative) The Church belongs to all catholics, not just conservatives. Vast numbers of the laity are expressing their views at the ballot box--even in Ireland. If we are all patient, the Holy Spirit will sort this out in his own time. After all, the world was once square, and now it is round.

[cbsfan73]

The lack of birth control is self prorogation to the church in that more people are bred and taught to be Catholics. More members, more money and more power. Now why would the Vatican want to change that?

[cmoreau2]

Ibeyers1,
A truely compasionate view is exactly what is expressed in Humanae Vitae. Recall the predictions made in that document by Pope Paul VI regarding dangers of contraceptive use: Lost Respect for Women
"Paul VI also argued that "the man" will lose respect for "the woman" and "no longer (care) for her physical and psychological equilibrium" and will come to "the point of considering her as a mere instrument of selfish enjoyment and no longer as his respected and beloved companion." This concern reflects what has come to be known as a "personalist" understanding of morality. The personalist understanding of wrongdoing is based upon respect for the dignity of the human person. The Pope realized that the Church''s teaching on contraception is designed to protect the good of conjugal love. When spouses violate this good, they do not act in accord with their innate dignity and thus they endanger their own happiness. Treating their bodies as mechanical instruments to be manipulated for their own purposes, they risk treating each other as objects of pleasure."
This has certainly come true. Humanae Vitae is compasionate to men and women because it will not leave them in the gutter but bring them to goodness.

[xoynx]

drmaqazi, why would homosexuals need birth control?

[cbsfan73]

mensarino wrote:
"And why do these people care what an 80 year old celibate has to say on a subject he purpotedly has no first hand experience with?"

Do altar boys count towards celibacy?

[cmoreau2]

The role of the Church is to carry on the mission of Christ, to follow the will of God and lead souls to heaven. If you read Humanae Vitae you will find a well reasoned theolgical statement guided by the Holy Spirit. Those of us who have taken the trouble to actually follow the churchs teaching can attest to it''s truth and to it''s benefits. The Church is concerned with promoting the gospel and preaching truth. The truth can be hard to follow, but this did not stop Jesus from preaching it (see Jn chapter 6 verse 66) His teaching that the bread and wine were truely his body and blood was too hard for many to take and they left him, but he did not change his teaching; the truth, to placate them.

[cbsfan73]

tuckerndfw wrote:
"And what kind of moron freely gives his money to a dictator led nation that provides nothing beneficial in return? Vatican City is a soveriegn nation, same as the USA, and the pope is its unelected (by the people) dictator."

Uhhh, this would be the American taxpayer...

[cmoreau2]

cbsfan73,
A Priest knows better than anyone the challenge presented by following Humanae Vitae. Rather than periodic abstenance for the sake of love, a priest accepts a lifetime of abstenance for love and service to the people of the church. Priests know marriage. They grew up in a family, they eat dinner with families, they help and council many married people and in that respect see more breadth of the challenges that married couples face in general than any one married couple faces itself. They help burry spouces, and help families grieve. A Holy 80 year old celebate has A LOT to offer.