Miko Angcoy, Annika Tan, Yancy Tancinco 10 Kalinga

ARTIFICIAL CONTRACEPTION

Artificial contraceptives, also known as birth control, are

devices, medicines, or procedures that aim to prevent or at
least lessen the risk of pregnancy. Some people tend to
confuse contraceptives and family planning interchangeably,
but to clarify, contraceptives (from the word contra meaning
‘against’ and conception ‘to conceive’) prevent pregnancy.
While family planning is a much broader concept that allows
people to decide when and if to have children, it does not
necessarily mean to stop conception altogether.

Artificial contraceptives
come in two forms. The
first is Hormonal contraceptives. These are chemicals,
medicines, or treatments that affect the hormonal
behavior of the female to prevent fertilization or the
development of a fetus. These kinds of contraceptives
include birth control pills, implanted contraceptives, and
Intrauterine devices or IUDs.

The second form is Non-hormonal contraceptives.

These are usually materials or devices that prevent the
sperm from reaching the womb. These kinds of
contraceptives include condoms, cervical caps, and
IUDs that use copper.

Contraceptives are recognized by R.A. no. 10354 or the Reproductive Health Law in the
Philippines. Section 9 states that hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices, injectables,
and other contraceptives are to be recognized as essential medicines. This means that
these contraceptives shall be included in the regular purchases of all national hospitals and
can now be made easily available to the general public. This RH law is therefore pro-
contraceptives, which is why the Church opposes it even when it was still a bill.

The debate surrounding the use of contraceptives is complex, often intersecting with various
perspectives rooted in religious, ethical, and practical considerations. Some people argue
that contraceptives are beneficial in preventing unplanned pregnancies, reducing teenage
pregnancies, and lessening the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs.) However,
through our Christian values, we question the morality of using contraceptives. To put it
simply: It is immoral to practice contraception because it goes against the natural moral law
and the true good of human persons in marriage. It is a serious moral disorder and
objectively constitutes a grave sin that goes against the virtue of chastity. That is why the
Church is so against it.
Artificial contraceptives go against the Church's teaching on marriage and family, in which it
is believed that families must support procreation and must understand that intercourse
fulfills the important natural function of procreation and is not just a means of entertainment.
Using contraceptives means that the true function of intercourse is lost and only done for the
sake of pleasure.

The Church teaches us that sexual activities must always be an expression of the conjugal
love between married couples and must be open to the possible occurrence of procreating
and bearing children. Gaudium et Spes 50 states "Marriage and conjugal love are by their
nature ordained toward the begetting and educating of children." this tells us that deliberately
using sex in a way that prevents having children goes against its purpose, which includes
using artificial contraceptives. For example, let’s have eating as an analogy. The main point
of eating is to get nourishment to survive. While enjoying the taste is fine, deliberately ruining
the nutritious aspect just for pleasure is wrong. Just as it would be wrong to eat and then
vomit just to eat more, it's also wrong to use sex only for pleasure without considering its
natural purpose.

Contraceptives do not teach people proper responsibility as a married couple and future
parents. Rather, it teaches them that having children is problematic and that it is good to
have intercourse for the sake of merely pleasuring each other, and preventing pregnancy in
order to not be troubled by the consequences of these actions. The use of contraceptives
compromises the procreative aspect of marriage, reducing sexual intercourse to a purely
recreational activity that separates it from its inherent purpose. Artificial contraceptives
promote a mentality of "contraceptive mentality" or "contraceptive culture" that undermines
the sacredness of marriage and the family unit, encouraging sexual activity outside of
marriage

The issues of unplanned and teenage pregnancies and STDs can be prevented through
better planning and proper education, not just through contraceptives. The widespread
availability of contraceptives, particularly to adolescents and unmarried individuals, could be
perceived as condoning or even encouraging premarital sex, extramarital affairs, underage
sex, and other immoral acts without facing the consequences.

A significant point to take note of is that some forms of artificial contraceptives, such as
IUDs, act as abortifacients, which means that they prevent the implantation of a fertile egg
cell. Not only does this contradict the nature of families being supportive of procreation, but it
also goes against the Church’s teachings of preserving life.

It is important to remember that procreation is encouraged in a Christian marriage between

the father and the mother as long as it serves its true purpose and function and not as a
mere source of pleasure. By refraining from using contraceptives, not only is the true
function and purpose of forming a family maintained, but we also do not leave chances for
people outside of marriage and underage people to engage in sexual activity and must
instead be educated on responsible behavior, family planning, and parenting skills and
responsibilities.

In Psalm 127:3, it is beautifully expressed: “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.” This verse tells us the significance of children as it
portrays them as a "reward", emphasizing the blessing of offspring within the context of
marriage. In line with this, the verse implicitly cautions against anything that does not uplift
the sanctity of human life or obstructs the natural order of procreation, including using
artificial contraceptives and any other practices that contradict this intended purpose.

As it states in CFC 1108, while rejecting artificial means of contraception and birth control,
the Church encourages natural family planning to ensure that the procreation, nurture and
education of the children might be achieved in a truly human and Christian way. Unlike
artificial contraception, natural family planning relies on observation and awareness of the
body's natural rhythms. This method is seen as more in line with the respect for the natural
order and the sanctity of human life upheld by Catholic teachings.

For more people to have a deeper relationship with God, we must have safe spaces and
environments for the youth, boys and girls alike. This does not mean a place that has
opportunities for the youth to engage in sexual deeds without facing the consequences. We
must have a community that teaches the young how to grow and develop responsibly as
children of God.

As CFC 1109 states, the key to the problem is not in external means of control through
mechanical and chemical contraceptives, but rather in the development and maturation of
inner mastery of one’s sexual behavior--in the chastity and self-control by the stable
commitment of marriage.

References:
- https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2012/12/21/republic-act-no-10354/
- https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-
ii_const_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html
- https://alfi.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Catechesis-on-Contraception-Latorre
- https://www.sju.edu/centers/icb/blog/what-does-the-catholic-church-teach-about-
contraception
- https://www.catholicsforchoice.org/issues/contraception/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11427-birth-control-options