Must reading from Monsignor Vincent Foy. First published 2001 in Catholic Insight.
Some excerpts:
The two principal causes of the Culture of Death are abortion and
contraception. Abortion means death to the unborn. Contraception has been
described as "creeping death." It is of paramount importance to
assess the relationship between these two killers of society and souls to
formulate plans and strategies to promote the Culture of life. The evaluation
of the comparative roles of abortion and contraception in attacking human life
is not as simple as might be thought. They are often intertwined in their
intent. Abortifacients are often called contraceptives. At first murder seems a
more heinous crime than the prevention of life, but there are hidden factors.
Despite difficulties, some comparisons can be made which indicate how the whole
pro-life movement should move. We consider some of these comparisons.
…
In the matter of contraception, even "abortifacient
contraception", although there is no specific ecclesiastical penalty,
there remains the supreme penalty of the loss of God's grace. In some places
and times there have been particular ecclesiastical penalties for
contraception. In Spain in 1936, absolution from the sin of contraception was
reserved to the bishop in eight dioceses (cf. Catholic Priests' Association
Newsletter, Vol. III and IV, 1972, p.60). That there is an excommunication
attached to abortion and not to contraception does not mean that the former is
a greater crime. It means that the good order of the Church as a visible
society is more obviously disturbed.
…
Comparing contraception and abortion enables us to see that they are
linked in a death chain. Contraception is at the top of the chain.
Contraception gives birth to abortion deaths and to the acceptance of sterile
sodomy. Abortion gives birth to euthanasia. All of these give birth to the
acceptance of a pervasive pornography. When these are widespread we have the
Culture of Death. This Culture of Death gives birth to the death of the family,
to the death of society, to the death of the Church, and to the perpetual death
of immortal souls.
…
Not to recognize the evil of contraception while fighting abortion is
like working to kill the termites on the roof of a house, while the whole
structure is being eaten away from within. It is like leaning over a deck to
chip away at an iceberg, while the ship is being gutted beneath the waterline.
It is not permissible to soft-pedal contraception in the interests of a
so-called pro-life ecumenism. This is not a denominational issue, pertaining to
Catholics alone. The prohibition of contraception is founded on divine natural
law. Only groups which in their underlying philosophy are anti-contraception,
anti-sterilization, and anti-abortion have the right to full endorsement.
…
As we know, Catholic bishops, chiefly responsible for teaching Humanae
Vitae, have been the primary factors in its rejection. Following dissenting
theologians rather that Christ, about twelve national hierarchies so distorted
the teaching of the encyclical as to virtually destroy it. Among the worst
offenders were the Canadian bishops by their Winnipeg Statement of Sept 1968.
As night follows the day, Canadian Catholics now live in the dark Culture of
Death.
…
The situation in many countries is desperate. Extrapolating from the
statistics, the typical parish in Canada is dying. Its birth rate is suicidal.
Most of the parents of childbearing age are either sterilized or contracepting.
The majority of those contracepting who go to Mass receive Holy Communion, an
objective sacrilege. The children going to a Catholic school are educated in
contraception in grade eight. Few go to Sunday Mass. Vocations to the
priesthood and religious life are insufficient to sustain a flourishing,
evangelizing Church. It is impossible for the Church to survive where Humanae
Vitae is not taught and lived.
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