Fr Jason Smith is on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje this week. Fr Barry is filling in for Fr Jason’s weekly post while Fr Jason is out.

Is contraception immoral because the Church says that it is? Is it not, rather, the case that the Church, as she is always obliged to do, points out that it is wrong because it is immoral?

So why is it immoral? In the following video, Fr Barry emphasizes one reason why the Church warns about the risks of using birth-control. It is wrong because it is harmful:

Sin is always a violation of God’s Eternal Law, which people can know either through divine revelation or, in many cases, through Natural Law, which people can understand through the use of their power of reason, provided that their reason is properly formed, and guided toward truth.

The fact that the most commonly used forms of contraception often have harmful side effects should cause us to question whether it is appropriate to use it.

Of course, there are other reasons why the Church teaches that Contraception is wrong. Here are some other articles on this topic that you might also want to read:

• Catholics and Contraception
• Fr John Bartunek: Straight Talk about Contraception
• Dear HHS: Of course its about contraception
• Birth Control and Spirituality
• What every married couple should know about the Truth of Sex and the Lies of Contraception

If you have not seen it yet, you won’t want to miss Fr Jason’s last post on “The Penitent Magdalene” — a great reflection on conversion and penance to start off lent.