Another Look at Contraception and NFP

Have you ever wondered what the Eastern Catholic Church teaches about contraception and family "planning"?  Do they teach the same as what the Western Church based out of Rome teaches?

I became curious about this a few years ago, when I started attending the Melkite Greek Catholic Church near me.  I guess the answer was obvious, since the Melkite Church is in full union with Rome, but when it is all so new, most answers need to be validated.  So, yes, the Melkite Church teaches what Rome teaches, as seen on the web site (I added the image.):

Primer of Beliefs and Traditions from the Eparchy web site
Contraception
 
Our Church's teaching is the same as that of the whole Catholic Church throughout the world: that faithful Christians may not make use of any artificial means of contraception. Those who would like to "plan" their children's b...irth are advised to use the natural methods. Natural Family Planning works with the body's own cycles, at times this requires some discipline and self-denial, but it helps the couple to deepen their mutual love. It is not fool-proof, and that's part of its value for Christians: that all acts of love between husband and wife are open to the gift of Life, both in the conception of a child and in the life-giving relationship of the spouses. -  http://melkite.org/PRIMER.​htm#Contraception


To understand the implications of using contraception, click here


And here are some resources for Natural Family Planning:

- http://www.usccb.org/proli​fe/issues/nfp/information.​shtml

- http://www.usccb.org/proli​fe/issues/nfp/coordinators​.shtml

- http://www.creightonmodel.​com/

- http://naprotechnology.com​/



- image - http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/archive/tags/birth+control+pill/default.aspx

Fetal Surgery May Be The Straw To Break The Camel's Back

Fetal Surgery

Fetal surgery "is the surgical treatment of a fetus [still in the womb] with certain life-threatening congenital abnormalities. Surgical intervention on the fetus is meant to correct problems that would be too advanced to correct after the baby is born."  One example is spina bifida.  Another is the removal of tumors.

Children's Hospital Boston explains it here. 
The UCSF Fetal Treatment Center shows a video here.  This can be graphic.

What am I talking about when I say fetal surgery may be the straw to break the camel's back?  I am referring to personhood.  If science can not persuade ProChoicers that a fetus in the body of a pregnant woman is a person, and therefore should not be killed/aborted/terminated, then maybe logistics will.

Logistically, with whom will the medical records reside after a pregnant woman is opened up and her fetus is operated on?  I don't know the answer for the fetal surgeries done so far, but I would imagine the fetus would get its own records, and the mother would get her own records, even if some of the information is duplicated.  Otherwise, how would doctors access information about the baby's medical history later on, like when the child is three-months-, five-years- or 25-years-old?

Sounds like the fetus is its own person, to me.

Kathleen


image - http://www.cardinalglennon.com/fetalcare/Pages/OpenFetalSurgery.aspx

Florida's Law Requiring Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Goes Into Effect Friday



Women receiving ultrasound
from a doctor



This is good news.  Florida's law that requires women who seek an abortion to have an ultrasound beforehand, goes into effect this Friday.  In the article referenced below, it is said that 85% of women who have an ultrasound before an abortion, change their mind. 





Image of baby during ultrasound




I bet many women change their minds. How can you ignore the baby, the child, the human being, the person inside of you?  Florida thinks you can't and is hoping to lower the denial that goes on with abortion.






"Starting this Friday, women in Florida will be required to have an ultrasound done by a doctor before having an abortion, a bill Gov. Rick Scott signed into law last Friday."  Progress, but we have a long way to go: ==>  "Oklahoma is the only other state that requires ultrasounds before abortions".  - http://www.news4jax.com/news/28371908/detail.html

Unfortunately, the passing of bills like this is quite a battle.  The Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) and Planned Parenthood are two organizations that don't want a law like this to go into effect, e.g. CRR recently filed a class action lawsuit against the ultrasound bill that passed in Texas.  CRR Files Lawsuit Challenging Texas Abortion Sonogram Law

I am saddened by some of the ProChoice explanations I read.  For example:

“This law is patronizing to women in Texas. It is based on outdated stereotypes that women are too immature or too incompetent to make important decisions,” said Northup. “It’s as if the politician has charged into the doctor’s office and told the woman, ‘Honey, you just don’t understand what you are doing. Let me explain it to you and tell you what to do.’”

I am reminded of my own ProChoice days.  I had a similar attitude.  Someone must have prayed for my conversion, because I wasn't looking to be hauled out of my seat of denial.  So, let's continue praying that the people involved here will have a conversion of heart too.


images - http://us.fotolia.com/id/8651231
http://www.pregnancydiary.net/Ultrasound.html

Ex-Planned Parenthood Director Turned ProLife Is Becoming Catholic

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Abby Johnson

In a previous post, I wrote about Abby Johnson's book, unPlanned.  It is her own story about her journey from having abortions herself, being a Director of a Planned Parenthood site, assisting with an ultrasound during an abortion, and then, not only becoming ProLife, but becoming an activist for the movement.

Now we have more good news.  Abby and her husband are planning  to become Catholic in the next few months.  God is dancing, the angels are making music and Jesus is excitedly waiting to welcome them home.  WooHoo!

Click here for details in the Catholic News Service.

[By the way, this is yet another instance where ultrasound is instrumental (lol) in winning ProChoicers over to ProLife.  Yay!  Technology can be used for God's greater good.]
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If you want to learn more about becoming Catholic, or becoming better versed if you are already Catholic, check out these web sites.
Ancient and Future Catholics
AskACatholic How Does One Become a Catholic?
The Journey Home with Marcus Grodi
How to Become a Catholic

And once again, here is my personal conversion story, Thank God I Made It Home
Thank you to David Bennett for continuing to post it on his web site.

Peace be with you,
Kathleen
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image - http://www.firstdallas.org/article/former-planned-parenthood-director-keynotes-downtown-pregnancy-center-luncheon/
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So, You Want to Have Sex?

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Earlier this month, I wrote an article entitled, "So, You Want to Have Sex? ... and you want to have it before you are married". (go to p. 27)  I will reprint it in my blog next month, but until then, I hope you take a look at it in its original print.  I encourage you to use it as a springboard in your own discussions and work.

I am now writing my next article and am excited about it.  It is coming along better than I expected.  It will be called something like, "So, You're Married and You Want to Have Sex?" with mentions of adultery, procreation, union, Planned Parenthood, contraception, making your wife an instrument for your sexual pleasure, NaPro Technology and S-P-I-C-E, the Catholic Church wanting married couples to experience pleasure from the marital act, and more.

Stay tuned.  :-)
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image - http://www.creightonmodel.com/intercourse.htm
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Dr. Bernard Nathanson, Former Abortion Provider Turned ProLife, Died Today

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Dr. Bernard Nathanson

This is from the Massachusetts Citizens For Life blog:

...with Lawrence Lader, Dr Nathanson was the brains behind the movement which eventually legalized abortion in this country...

Nathanson "presided over 75,000 deaths" in his NYC clinic. As science progressed, particularly the use of ultrasound, he realized that he was killing babies. He faced up and became a leading pro-life activist.


What a beautiful story.  For the full write up, click here

May Dr. Nathanson rest in peace..
image - https://www.prolifedallas.org/pages/education_abortion
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ProLife Alternatives to In Vitro Fertilization

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When a couple has trouble conceiving a child, the most common thing they and their doctors turn to is in vitro fertilization (IVF).  Unfortunately IVF goes against the teachings of the Catholic Church, so Catholics do not have that as an option.  See this previous blog entry.  

In an attempt to help and alleviate the pain most infertile couples experience, some Catholic doctors are working hard to provide acceptable alternatives to IVF, and the Knights of Columbus want people to know about it.  Here are some things they share in a recent article regarding Good Medicine:

"Thankfully, there are medical options that respect human dignity when facing the problem of infertility. Throughout North America, there are physicians whose way of viewing married couples and the gift of new life causes them to practice medicine differently. These doctors are providing successful fertility care that is offering real hope and healing."

"Dr. Anne Mielnik, the director and co-founder of Gianna, a Catholic health care center in New York City, said, 'In the area of attacks on human life, such as contraception and abortion, it is doctors who are providing these things. I believe it is doctors who must provide effective and fruitful alternatives.'"

"The couples who see doctors such as Mielnik and Vera are grateful for their holistic, pro-life perspective. Rather than simply applying a technological solution to the problem of infertility, the care provided by clinics such as Gianna attempts to be a truly human, compassionate response. This includes accompanying the couple in their suffering and allowing them to express their faith in the context of treatment. Furthermore, patient care does not end if a couple cannot conceive. In this situation, doctors help the couple transition to mourning and grief."

Full article - Catholic physicians work to provide life-giving alternatives to reproductive technologies


Please pass it on.  Thanks, Kathleen
  
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image - http://baystatehealth.com/Baystate/Main+Nav/Clinical+Services/Departments/Obstetrics+%26+Gynecology/Reproductive+Medicine,+Fertility+and+Surgery/Infertility
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Woman Gives Birth To Baby Inside An MRI Machine

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Baby in Birth Canal

For the first time ever, a woman gave birth to her baby inside an MRI machine.  Images like the one above were captured in an attempt to better understand the birthing process.  You can read about this early December occurrence in these two articles:

1) Baby Born Inside an MRI Machine, Captured in Breakthrough Imagery
2) Birth time at the Charité Hospital: world's first delivery of a baby in an open MRI scanner from Philips

St. Gerard, please intercede for us, that we may remember

to center all this work on Christ and His will for us.  Amen.

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image - http://www.fastcompany.com/1708747/baby-boldly-born-where-no-one-has-before-inside-an-mri-machine
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In Vitro Fertilization and the Catholic Church

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At the end of my November 5 entry, Nobel Prize For Medicine Went To Robert G. Edwards For IVF, I said I would talk about the Church's teachings regarding In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in a future entry.  This is that entry.

Basically, IVF goes against the Church's beliefs and teachings about life, marriage, the conjugal act and the procreation of children.  Here are some excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

1652 "By its very nature the institution of marriage and married love is ordered to the procreation and education of the offspring and it is in them that it finds its crowning glory."

Children are the supreme gift of marriage and contribute greatly to the good of the parents themselves. God himself said: "It is not good that man should be alone," and "from the beginning [he] made them male and female"; wishing to associate them in a special way in his own creative work, God blessed man and woman with the words: "Be fruitful and multiply." Hence, true married love and the whole structure of family life which results from it, without diminishment of the other ends of marriage, are directed to disposing the spouses to cooperate valiantly with the love of the Creator and Savior, who through them will increase and enrich his family from day to day.

The Church is clearly pro-children, but it is not pro-anything-goes when it comes to conceiving them.  See the next excerpt.

2377 Techniques involving only the married couple (homologous artificial insemination and fertilization) are perhaps less reprehensible, yet remain morally unacceptable. They dissociate the sexual act from the procreative act. The act which brings the child into existence is no longer an act by which two persons give themselves to one another, but one that "entrusts the life and identity of the embryo into the power of doctors and biologists and establishes the domination of technology over the origin and destiny of the human person. Such a relationship of domination is in itself contrary to the dignity and equality that must be common to parents and children." "Under the moral aspect procreation is deprived of its proper perfection when it is not willed as the fruit of the conjugal act, that is to say, of the specific act of the spouses' union . . . . Only respect for the link between the meanings of the conjugal act and respect for the unity of the human being make possible procreation in conformity with the dignity of the person."

Because the Church believes what She believes about life, marriage, the conjugal act and the procreation of children, it makes sense that She would be opposed to IVF, which is a process that also includes letting some embryos die or killing them directly.
 
Many people, including many many Catholics, are not aware of these teachings.  Unfortunately, it is a topic that is hardly preached about on Sundays and I have never seen literature about the Church's stance on this readily available.  Adult catechesis programs would help, but they are non-existent in this area, at least that I know of.
 
Of course, in the secular world, this is another example of the Catholic Church being behind the times, but I think of it as another example of the Catholic Church being wise beyond her years.  This somewhat long and technical document reflects that - DONUM VITAE


For more general information, see these informative articles:

1) The moral status of in vitro fertilization (IVF) Biology and method by John B. Shea, MD FRCP, 2003, Catholic Insight.  The information is still current.

2) IVF and the Catholic Couple by Sheila Diamond

3) IVF and Catholic Teaching by Rev. Fr Clement Mary, C.SS.R.

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image - http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2008/12/12/vatican-reaffirms-stand-against-ivf-designer-babies-cloning/
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Nobel Prize For Medicine Went To Robert G. Edwards For IVF

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IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilization, as in "test tube baby", although it's actually done in something more like a petri dish.  In IVF, the egg and sperm (actually several eggs with several sperms) are manually combined in a laboratory dish. When the combination succeeds, the embryo is then transferred and manually placed in a woman's uterus.  If the transfer is successful, the women becomes pregnant, and if the pregnancy goes well, a baby is eventually born.

It sounds straight forward, but anyone who has been through it will tell you it is an arduous process, involving the woman taking fertility medication, her eggs being montiored and collected - apart from the man, the man being sexually stimulated so he can ejaculate and his sperm can be collected - apart from the woman, and then the attempt to combine the eggs and sperm in a laboratory dish.  Ultrasounds and blood tests are involved.  Timing is critical.  When one attempt fails, the couple has to try again, and usually again, and again.

The process sounds lonely and sterile to me, but compared to being childless for the rest of one's life, I can see that IVF would be attractive to many couples, including Catholic couples.  The problem is that IVF goes against natural law and Catholic teachings on procreation.  It is considered to be a grave evil and not a viable solution to the problem of infertility.

So not everyone is happy about the Nobel Prize for Medicine going to Robert G. Edwards for IVF back in October.  I will discuss the Church's teachings in one of my next entries.  Please stay tuned.


Peace,
Kathleen

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image - http://www.americanpregnancy.org/infertility/ivf.html
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Potential Evil of Facebook

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This is funny. It is what happens when we let technology rule our lives.