What is my status in the church if I use birth control?
The Catholic Church realizes that parents may need to limit the number of children they have, and the Church approves of forms of family planning based on a woman's natural cycle of fertile and infertile periods. However, the Church teaches that other forms of birth control (such as IUDs, sterilization, condoms or the pill) are morally wrong because they artificially interfere with one of the divinely ordained purposes of marital intimacy, which is the procreation of children.
If you are using a form of birth control not approved by the Church, you should study why the Church believes this form of birth control is wrong, and then reconsider why you have made this choice. There may be circumstances which reduce an individual's moral culpability for choosing a form of birth control which the Church considers wrong, but the decision to do so should be made after careful discernment, prayer and consultation with a spiritual director or guide. Catholic couples should always make such a decision reluctantly, recognizing that they are under present circumstances unable or unwilling to follow the Church's teaching.
Couples using a form of birth control not approved by the Church should continue to participate as fully as possible in the spiritual and sacramental life of the Church. They may pray for the grace to more fully understand the Church's teaching and be willing to re-examine their choice of birth control as their attitudes or circumstances change.
• If this is an issue which causes you spiritual concern, or creates conflict between you and your spouse, you should discuss it more fully with a pastor, spiritual director or confessor.
More FAQ:
• What if I disagree with some of the Church's teachings?
Related Links:
• What the Church Teaches About Contraception
• Information About Natural Family Planning
• How to Make Good Moral Decisions
Last Update: 10.16.17