Breaking the Silence

I was ordained in 1994. While I was aware of the Church’s teaching on birth control when I entered the seminary, it didn’t exactly make “my radar” of important topics I would have to address as a priest. Overall I felt this was a question for couples to decide on their own. If asked, I would have reiterated the Church’s teaching. However, the reality was that I neither understood it nor could really have explained it very well.

Fortunately, early on in my philosophical studies, my class was blessed with some wonderful professors. One was a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College and the other was one of its founders. Both of these professors made the study of philosophy come alive for us. They also taught us the philosophical principles which underpin the Church’s teaching in this area and we specifically examined the encyclical Humanae Vitae of Blessed Paul VI. As a result, I came away with an increased understanding of the Church’s teaching, but even more importantly, convinced of its truth.

The reality on the parish level, however, I found was quite different. The topic of Church teaching on the regulation of births was simply never talked about. I do not recall ever hearing a single homily on this topic nor having it ever discussed in a parish level educational program of any sort. If the topic ever came up in priests’ conversation or with the laity it was usually due to an item in the news about the Pope reiterating the constant teaching of the Church. On those occasions it was usually passed over in quiet and the topic changed as soon as possible.

As a newly ordained priest, however, I knew that the topic of artificial contraception was a frequent source of discussion among couples themselves. Very early on in marriage preparation I realized that couples were curious about this and wanted to know more. Interestingly, the more I studied about it and explained it to young couples, the more they wanted to learn. In 21 years of preparing couples for marriage as a priest, I have always given a thorough explanation of the Church’s teaching. Only very rarely have I had couples challenge me on the teaching once they understand it.

Why then the reluctance of so many priests to talk about this topic?

One group of priests simply does not understand the teaching. This may sound odd as priests are supposed to be proficient in the teaching of the Church and capable of explaining it. However, the fact is that in many places this topic was either not treated at all, or given a very cursory review. Consequently, some priests have a reluctance to teaching something about which they may have only the most superficial understanding.

Many members of the clergy, not unlike the laity they encounter—even healthcare professionals—-are unaware of the existence of modern methods of natural family planning, even still referring to it as the “Rhythm Method”. Unfamiliar with the highly effective modern NFP, their impressions are of an outdated, ineffective method of a bygone generation.

Another group is those who were trained at a time in which there was an expectation that this teaching of the Church would be changed. This was a predominant mindset especially in the 1960’s prior to the promulgation of the encyclical Humanae Vitae.

When the encyclical was finally promulgated massive dissent broke out and a large number of clergy, Religious and laity rejected it. I’m convinced that a lot of this dissent was not based on the Church’s teaching itself but rather on the disappointment of failed expectations. As a result many members of this group simply closed their minds to even the reexamination of their position. Many dissent from the teaching of the Church even today. Fortunately, this is increasingly a small number of clergy.

Another group of priests accepts the teaching of the Church but are reluctant to speak about it because, as celibate men, they think that it is “not their place” to talk about sexual issues. I have encountered these priests fairly frequently.

An additional group is priests who do understand and accept the teachings of the Church but, for whatever reason, do not preach about it nor teach it on a regular basis. I encounter these priests regularly as well.

The different groups of priests mentioned above also reflect groups of the laity with similar mindsets.

Has the situation changed?       Yes!

Part of the change I attribute to simple biology. The generations that were the most dissenting to the teaching of the Church on this topic have either gone to their eternal reward or already have their tickets in hand.

Another reason is that we have had consistency in Church teaching among all the Popes in the post Vatican II era. Beginning with the prophetic encyclical of Blessed Paul VI, continuing with the magnum opus of St. John Paul II and then more recently with the clear teaching of Pope Benedict XVI and the refreshing emphasis of Pope Francis on this topic, Catholics over the last 50+ years have been blessed with clear and consistent teaching from the Popes on this topic.

In addition, we now have the wonderful Catechism of the Catholic Church, the development of Theology of the Body as well as a huge corpus of writing on the topic of NFP. Together with this we also have great advances in the medical field which have refined the various methods of Natural Family Planning to the point that couples now feel much more confident in using them.

In addition, with the new emphasis on all things natural, care for the environment and the reluctance of youth to “put chemicals into their bodies” you have the ideal time for the Church’s teaching in this area to be promulgated with renewed vigor.

Priests who were once reluctant to teach on this subject can now feel much more secure in it as a result of having consistent magisterial teaching, much more professional presentation of effective methods of Natural Family Planning and a wealth of resources available to them.

As always there may be a reluctance to teach for several reasons:  

~ it is uncomfortable. Yes, it is. So what? The gospel is uncomfortable! It always has been. The old saying is still true: priests are to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. This is what it is to be prophetic. It is also what it means to be a “Father” which is what our people call us.  

~ how can celibates talk about sexual matters to the married. Precisely because we are celibates! The bottom line sacrifice of NFP is that it requires periodic abstinence from sexual intercourse. This makes celibates all the more credible since we know all about abstinence from sexual intercourse. And we do it, not periodically, rather permanently. It makes our celibate witness all the more valuable.  

~ unfamiliarity. Inform yourself! There are more resources on this topic today than ever in the history of the Church. Use the wealth of resources available to you.  

~ need for support.  There are many NFP teachers and others willing to assist priests in this task. Take advantage of those resources.  

~ fear of rejection. Yes, this is real. So remember what Scripture says: “Fear is useless. What is needed is trust.” (Lk. 8:50; Mk 5:36) Don’t be afraid of telling the truth. Yes, people may reject it but our job as priests is still to proclaim the truth in season and out.