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  Xavier

  Aug 8, 2012

  Okay, I know I’m pointing out the ovbuois here, but here goes anyhow. 25% of those surveyed identified themselves as Catholic. Of these, 3 in 10 attend Mass weekly, 1 in 10 never attend Mass, and 6 in 10 attend Mass monthly or less frequently. 98% use artificial contraception or sterilization. Therefore, he article concludes as follows: “This research suggests that the perception that strongly held religious beliefs and contraceptive use are antithetical is wrong – in fact, the two may be highly compatible.” I would ask, how strongly held are the religious beliefs of the 7 out of 10 who do not attend Mass regularly? And what are the practices of the 3 out of 10 who more actively live their faith? I would suggest it is likely that most of the women using NFP fall into the second group. That would suggest that more like 7% of those with strongly held religious beliefs use NFP. Nowhere near enough, but significantly more than th 0.2 % of the general population. I would also suggest that among those where one spouse has had sterilization surgery, there are people who made that decision at a different point in their life and in their faith, and would not make that same decision now. I realize that reversal is possible, but will not happen with every couple. Definitely a call for the need for clearer education for all of us much of which needs to occur in the few places many Catholics will hear it at Mass and in the weekly bulletin. Also a call for all of us to learn more so that we can explain clearly and with love to friends who may be at a different stage in their faith.

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