Contraception and the Catholic Church

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The issue of birth control remains one of the most controversial issues within the Catholic Church dividing members at all levels including the clergy. The Roman Catholic Church for the past 2000 years has been a major opponent of artificial birth control (BBC). Pope Paul VI made a clear declaration on the use of birth control when he wrote ‘the Encyclical Letter ‘Human Vitae’ on July 25, 1968 which banned Catholics from using contraceptives (Pope VI). These important declarations demonstrate the power of the Papacy to shape public policy on matters relating to human health and reproduction on a global level. The belief within the Catholic Church is that God have the sole power over the creation of life and humans have no role in this decision (BBC). In addition, the Pope is considered as Christ’s representative on Earth and assigned the role of setting policies for human morality. However, there is noted opposition to the Church’s stand on contraceptives. Some Catholics and other biblical scholars note that the bible is silent on the issue of birth control and therefore believe that the Church has implemented its own moral ethics in the life of human reproduction. The Church’s idea about contraception is based on obedience to the scriptures. Contraception is considered a sin because it hinders natural sex therefore and is seen as ‘an unnatural evil closely linked to pagans or heretics.’ The evidence purported above gives an insight into the beliefs and ideas Catholics have on contraception. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) article on Contraception, dated March 8, 2009, invites us to believe that if contraception is approved by the Catholic Church it would breakdown the sacred institution of marriage. Catholics are enc... ... middle of paper ... ...er/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.html>. Religions - Christianity. " Contraception.” BBC. 3 Aug. 2009. Web. 6 Mar. 2012. . Smith, Jane, ed. "Contraception: Why Not?." CERC. Aug.2005. Web. 8 Mar. 2012. . "Statistics: Worldwide. AmfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. 2012. Web. 12 Mar. 2012 http://www.amfar.org/About_HIV_and_AIDS/Facts_and_Stats/Statistics__Worldwide/ The Pill. " People and Events: The Catholic Church and Birth Control”. PBS Online. Web. 6 Mar. 2012. . Volsky, Igor, ed. Large Catholic Institutions Offered Contraception Even Before Required To Do So. 09 Feb 2012. Web. 9 Mar. 2012,

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