CATHOLIC CHURCH, BIRTH CONTROL AND GETTING YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT.

So I just got home from speaking at a pro life rally on the MTSU campus. It was called "Light for Life" and was sponsored by a couple different groups on campus including the Catholic student center.

My wife sang at the event and I spoke. I gave my usual speech and covered all life issues including abortion, war, capital punishment, poverty and even health care. After I finished speaking it was brought to my attention that a few "pro choice" women had cornered the vice president of the right to life club and were bombarding her with allegations such as " did you know the Catholic Church allowed birth control until Pope Pius" and other such nonsense. I went over to join the conversation. As I approached I heard one of the girls say something about "make sure you know your history and get your facts straight". Great advice I thought. I stepped up to the group and asked a simple question, "What history?" The girl looked at me, sneered and said "Nice bandanna." I replied by saying thank you and again asked "What history". At this point all three girls walked away and left the area.

After they had left the vp of right to life informed me of what they had been saying. I wish they would have stayed to talk because they would have found out that they were the ones who needed to "get their facts straight".

So here I am writing this blog in the hopes that it might help all of you if you are ever confronted with such an accusation.

The following is an example of how to handle this and other situations.

Angry Protester person: Did you know that the Catholic Church allowed Birth Control until Pope Pius?

Me: No. I didn't. Which pope Pius are you talking about? There were several. In fact I think there were 12 Popes named Pius.

Angry Protester Person: I don't know.

Me: Oh, ok. Well we can set that aside for a second. Do you know the date that this allegedly happened?

Angry Protester Person: Yes. 1930

Me: That would be Pope Pius the XI. Which Papal Encyclical are you getting your information from?

Angry Protester Person: I don't know but it was the one about Birth Control.

Me: Oh. Well the only comments he wrote about birth control were the ones he made about 4 months after the Episcopalian Church decided to change their position and allow birth control. In fact, prior to this time, all Christain Churches, both Catholic and Protestent opposed the use of birth control.



Anyway, you get the idea.

What probably happened in this case was the angry protester lady most likely went to some anti catholic website that took some of what Pope Pius XI said and read it out of context. In 1930 Pope Pius XI did condemn the use of birth control but this was not the first time the Catholic church taught this doctrine. In fact, if you read his statement in its entirety this is very obvious. Below is an excerpt from his letter. Notice how the first lines makes reference to the "uninterrrupted Christian Tradition". In other words, what the church has always taught since the beginning.

Here is an excerpt from his letter:



"Since, therefore, openly departing from the uninterrupted Christian tradition, some recently have judged it possible solemnly to declare another doctrine regarding this question, the Catholic Church, to whom God has entrusted the defense of the integrity and purity of morals, standing erect in the midst of the moral ruin which surrounds her, in order that she may preserve the chastity of the nuptial union from being defiled by this foul stain, raises her voice in token of her divine ambassadorship and through our mouth proclaims anew: Any use whatsoever of matrimony exercised in such a way that the act is deliberately frustrated in its natural power to generate life is an offense against the law of God and of nature, and those who indulge in such are branded with the guilt of a grave sin" (par. 56).


Getting one's "facts straight" is always a good idea. I have made an ass of myself on more than one occasion when I didn't have my facts straight. I highly recommend to all of you to get your facts straight before entering into any kind of debate, friendly or otherwise.

If you would like to read more about different churches and their historical position on birth control and how the Catholic Church has stood firm on this issue despite the pressure of society and the failure of other churches to do so, check out the following link.

http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1990/9011fea1.asp


Meanwhile,

Be Proud to Be Catholic

Pete