Views on Humanae vitae
As a Catholic, a feminist and a working mother of five, I hoped your editorial on Humanae vitae (July 23-29) would have focused more effectively on the strong stand the Church has taken in defence of women.
The Church alone does not see women’s fertility as something that must be cut out, tied up or treated with long term medication as if it was a disease.
Where it would be dangerous for a woman to fall pregnant or where a couple needs to limit or space births, the Church advocates the use of natural methods that are as effective as the artificial methods, but that respect women’s identity, health and fertility. These methods require cooperation and mutual respect between husband and wife. For once in our sexist society it is not only women who are called on to sacrifice.
It is women who by a large majority have to bear the responsibility for artificial contraception. And it is women who are blamed if an all-too-frequent artificial contraceptive “failure” occurs.
I wonder how popular artificial contraception would be if men were to be subjected to the invasive and debilitating “treatments” that women have to endure if their partners are not willing to use natural methods of fertility management? It is also nonsense to believe that one can be “pro-life” and in favour of artificial contraception.
Leaving aside the fact that abortion is the inevitable backstop for an artifical contraceptive “failure”, many forms of artificial contraception cause abortion. When women realise this, it is they who bear the burden of suffering and guilt.
A lack of accurate and balanced reporting in the secular press is a major reason why women lack information vital to their physical and mental health. I suggest The Southern Cross provide women with accurate reporting that will help them both protect their health and be faithful to the teachings of the Church.
Michelle Pedra, Johannesburg
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