Bishop Barron on Contraception and Social Change

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s deeply controversial encyclical letter “Humanae vitae.” But I would like to draw particular attention to a remarkable passage in this encyclical, namely section 17, in which Paul VI plays the prophet and lays out, clearly and succinctly, what he foresees as consequences of turning away from the Church’s classic teaching on sex.

[ACatholicMomsLife]

I love this! Thank you! I talk about NFP on my Catholic mommy channel and I love that you talk about the dignity of women too! Beautiful!

[ivorybow]

I was a child of the 60s and birth control came out when I was in college. We all celebrated what we then believed was freedom from the tyranny of pregnancy. Now, 50 years of life experience later, I find myself desperately trying, and unsuccessfully, to awaken the young women in my life to the tragedies of the so called "sexual liberation" awaiting them. I am a witness to all the Pope Paul said coming true.

[canadianrs]

Anytime my wife and I, both raised Catholic, think about returning to the church after decades of being completely secular, I am painfully reminded of the rigid nature of the Church. After 13 years of marriage we have two children, both of which came easily when not using birth control. If we had never used birth control, it is conceivable that we could have 6 or 8 children by now. We don't have the resources, both financial and time, to appropriately care for that many children. The result would be neglected and improvished children. 1968 was a long time ago and the world has changed massively. The necessary investment in children has increased. Our use of birth control has not led to infidelity or turning each other into mere sex objects. If the Catholic Church wonders why the pews get emptier year after year, they needn't look much beyond this policy that, if surveys are true, isn't followed by the majority of Catholics.

[rosarybead]

Bishop Barron: "if people had followed the Church's intuition, women would be a lot more respected than they are in the current secular scene today"...
Me: Amen!

[Powerranger-leup]

It's sad that it's so accurate. I am likely part of a small percentage of men who doesn't see sex as a toy. I am only in my early 20s and have already decided to have nothing to do with artificial birth control. I judge women by their behavior rather than their looks. To me, chastity is an attractive quality in women because it shows purity and self-control. Looks are secondary when it comes to a person's inner beauty. As a Catholic, I want marriage to be the way God intends it to be.

[NorJWWJD]

Perfect message. Stop IVF. Children are not a commodity. Thank you Lord for raising up bishop. X

[QuantumSorceress]

Things will only change if us women stop having premarital sex. The dating scene is so awful right now. I've given up on finding love because it's so difficult. Men always expect you to have sex and if you say no, they can just find someone else. It's a lose-lose situation. Women are deeply unhappy and many of us are leaving the dating pool. I've decided to come back to the church and to stop having premarital sex. It has only brought me grief. I encourage other women to do the same. If you're young, you cannot see it now. But premarital sex does so much damage to one's self esteem. No one is meant to have so many partners. It makes you feel empty inside because each person that you've ever been intimate with has taken a part of your soul with them. Don't make the same mistakes that I have done.

[mikeruppert]

When I read through these comments, especially the negative ones, I think we need to remind ourselves that we all are sinners. We have all fallen short of the glory of God. But it should not prevent us from aiming for the highest good!
God Bless Bishop Barron.

[gamer-ffmh]

Thank you for this video Bishop Barron! It was quite educating to learn about the wider context behind the opposition to contraception.

[Catholicdragonslayer]

When I first read Humanae Vitae a couple of years ago, I was very struck by how accurate all his prophecies were. One thing to point out in addition: You mentioned the U.S. government forcing groups to provide health insurance with free contraception as a fulfillment of the prophecy of government forced contraception. While true, I think a much more overt example is the 1-child policy of China or the 2-child policy of Vietnam. It is also clear, particularly in those cases, that abortion is linked to contraception as an extension of it when the original method fails.

[billybob-bjnw]

This is not an easy subject and I'm so happy you tackled it, Your Excellency. Artificial birth control tells a woman "your body is not good enough as it is. You need this pill/drug." Our bodies exist the way they are for a reason.

The problem is finding a potential spouse who agrees with Christ's teaching. Unfortunately, so many women have been brainwashed into thinking NFP doesn't work and contraception will solve all your problems. I feel so alone and sometime fear I'll be single forever all because I want to be a faithful Catholic. Just got put your faith in Christ. Please pray for all young Catholics in the world today. We could use it.

Sacred heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You

[dominiccorridore]

This quite perplexing. Can you explain to me what the church means by “ open to procreation” in relation to the sexual act. Any couple that is actively seeking NFP is de facto saying that they do not want children at that time. What’s the difference between this and using a condom? The mindset— the intentionality— is similar and thus makes both actions morally wrong. Secondly, I do not understand what Pope Paul meant by the integrity of the sexual act is procreative and unitive. What’s wrong with the act just being unitive?

[rizwanrasheed]

It's really essential and faith provoking teaching. A life is precious gift. What a prophet words of this Encyclical.

[paorag]

Thank you. Very contentious issue and the cause for stumble for many. Joy, and the cross inevitably, for those who subject themselves to the moral law revealed to us so prophetically. ✌🏻

[haighton]

The goal of contraception is for people who want to organize the size of the family/household. Before contraception many people had big large families with 4, 5, 6 and more kids. So to regulate/organize that, contraception is a welcome invention. Even more so for poor people.

[syfkog]

Bishop Barron, thank you for your leadership (on this topic and many others). Yes, Section 17 of Humanae Vitae was prophetic and accurate. Protestant churches opposed artificial contraception in earlier decades but fashion trends (and doctrines) can change. Even history can change for some as interpretations change. Truth is unchanging. Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today and forever.

[maryannvalenti]

Bishop Barron, You are such a inspiration for me in practicing my Faith. My husband and I had 6 children in years. Of course, we didn’t want to bring any more children into our family, mainly for my sake. We happened to be a couple who conceived very easily. Pregnancies take a toll on women. There were many families who had larger families at this time around 1968. Anyway we decided we would not have any more children and had a permanent solution through a surgery procedure.. I feel we did what was right for me and my husband. Doesn’t God treat each person or couple in their own circumstance, rather than a flat rule or decree for Everyone. Any replies?

[sshealy]

My mother's Lutheran Church is fully on the artificial contraception bandwagon, and her parish hasn't baptized a child in 2 years.

[denniswhite]

This so obviously correct. Thank you Bishop Barron.

[paulcornell]

My Grandmother had a family of 16 leaving little if any doubt higher education was out of the question, and I was one of 5 that lift us poor.only through government was I able to go to college.
That experience resulted in only having 2 children enabling them to enjoy, sports, university and college and helped them buying a home.
After 45years of marriage both respecting each thanks to vasectomy We travel and enjoy our lives.