To Catholics: Can I be Absolved in this Situation?

Question

I am a 26 year old confirmed Catholic. My family never really went to church, but I was sent to Catholic school for a few years. I had and maybe still have an issue with some of the church's policies and treament I and my family have received over the years. For instance, my Mom couldn't find a Priest to baptise me until I was 3 because I was born out of wedlock. (Why should I be punished for that?) My grandmother couldn't get an anullment from an abusive husband, while others around her "bought" a church divorce. I wanted to be an alter girl, but I was told girls are not allowed. I could go on, but I won't. So, I haven't been to church or confession since I was 12. I have had a change of heart. I want to attend church and be absolved.

However, I take birth control pills purely for medical reasons only. I have a condition and this is the only course of trament available that can prevent me from lots of pain, many minor symptoms and permanment damage. Is this a sin?

Answer 1

Hi, Roman Catholic here.
1. the baptism thing was up to the priest. Some are more harsher then others.
2. I have no idea about the annullment process, but I do know that since Vatican 2, it's gotten easier. Sorry your grandma probably tried to get annulled in Vatican 1, which was very strict and even more male-orienated then it is now.
3. You wanted to be a female alter girl? Join the club. I wanted to be a priest, even held masses for my dolls. I learned that the chruch has been doing things a certain way for many years and won't change over night.
4. Yes, you had some bad experiences with the church, but that is no reason to just stop going. I'm 26 too. I fell away from the church for five years and decided to go back.
5. As long as it's for medical reasons and not because you want to have willy-nilly sex, the birth control pills are ok. YOu have a legitament reason for them.

However, to be absolved of any sin, you must go to confession and tell the priest everything. After that, you may take the eucharist in mass. As a returning CAtholic, nothing felt better then to confess after five years of living in sin. It's scary, yes, but you do feel better when you leave.

Take care.

Answer 2

>>>For instance, my Mom couldn't find a Priest to baptise me until I was 3 because I was born out of wedlock. (Why should I be punished for that?)

I don't know who told you this lie, but the Church recognizes all children as legitimate. It is parents that can be illegitimate, not the children.
Priests can refuse to baptize children on the grounds that the parents don't care at all about raising the child up in the faith, or never darken the door of the church. When so called Catholics want to play house, and shack up, and have absolutely no respect for the laws of God, baptizing the children would be a mockery to the sacrament, not to mention hypocracy. If a person is not a practicing Catholic they have no business making public promises to raise the children Catholic, especially while living in adultery. Children learn by example of the parents first, and catechisms second. This is no secret to the Church.

>>>My grandmother couldn't get an anullment from an abusive husband, while others around her "bought" a church divorce.

You cannot "buy" an anullment. I had an annulment. I had no money living on disability and the Church told me how much it cost, but did not expect me to pay anything. I didn't pay a dime. Anyone who cannot afford to pay the costs simply don't have to pay. But to those who can afford to pay, it must be kept in mind that those people who investigate for a marriage tribunal are entitled to a wage like every body else.

Your grandmother was refused an annulment because it could not be demonstrated that a marriage did not really exist, and it could not be demonstrated that she and/or her husband were not mentally capable of living the vows that they took.

>>>I wanted to be an altar girl, but I was told girls are not allowed. I could go on, but I won't.

Altar girls are now a common thing, and even that may change again. But to expect the Church to have done things 20, 30, or 40 years ago that is done today is hardly fair.

>>>So, I haven't been to church or confession since I was 12. I have had a change of heart. I want to attend church and be absolved.

That is not a problem at all, but I think it is important you have a nice chat with a kind priest in his office apart from the confessional. Some priests will give you absolution right after a good honest session. But confession will lighten your heart, clear your mind, give you a fresh new start. the confessional is not a torture chamber of guilt and shame, but a deep dive into God's love and forgiveness.

Please phone for an appointment, most of these guys work 18 hours a day.

>>>However, I take birth control pills purely for medical reasons only. I have a condition and this is the only course of trament available that can prevent me from lots of pain, many minor symptoms and permanment damage. Is this a sin?

No. Sometimes nuns take the pill for the same reason. It is when you take the pill to interfere with God and the life-giving love you share with your husband that is a sin. Natural Family Planning is more effective than the pill, and it doesn't cost anything, but it won't bring stability to your hormones, and taking the pill for that reason is perfectly fine.
Couples who contracept have a divorce rate of 53%.
Couples who use NFP have a divorce rate of 3%, and everybody complains of how wrong the Church is.

Please visit this web site:
http://cmonback.com/indexa.htm
.
.

Answer 3

You need to do a litte reading about what the Church teaches. Taking birth control pills for medical reasons is not a sin. A priest is not needed for baptism. Annulments are a function of Canon(Church) Law, the theological question is where grandma remarried. Altar girls are everywhere, why would you want to be an altar girl? Go to confession. Change of heart requires you learn something about why you really want to be a Catholic.

Answer 4

If you're taking the pill for a medical reason and don't intend it to be used for birth control there is no sin even if the pill has the secondary effect of acting as a contraceptive.

In the papal encyclical, Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI put it this way:

"On the other hand, the Church does not consider at all illicit the use of those therapeutic means necessary to cure bodily diseases, even if a foreseeable impediment to procreation should result therefrom - provided such impediment is not directly intended for any motive whatsoever." (Humanae Vitae 15).

Answer 5

I am a Catholic and recovering from Scrupulosity. It is a condition of OCD and I'm quite convinced upbringing. The rules of the Catholic church are quite strict and I was so intent on following them to the letter that I basically drove myself crazy.

I know Catholic is the way for me, I agree with most of the rules, but I never felt close to God by being fearful. I have taken birth control in my life and struggled over it. My husband had an annulment to marry me, the process does require agreement of the ex spouse and money, unfortunately. The premise is to decide if the marriage was a sacrament. I personally would say anyone who is abusing their wife is not in a sacramental marriage. I was also conceived out of wedlock, not your fault.

I am convinced God knows all my struggles and yours too.

You have a good heart and try your best. That is not an excuse to blow off all the rules, but mentally self abusing is not in God's plan for you either.

I follow the 10 Commandments and the Golden Rule and feel closer to God than I ever have in my life.

I'm convinced through my stuggle that God wants me to be the best me I can be, He created me for love, not abuse. I may not be the "perfect, good girl" but I'm a child of my Father and am perfect in His eyes because I try and He knows how hard you try too.

I'll keep you in my prayers, May God Bless You Always.

Answer 6

In the true Catholic rules and principles, birth control of any nature is against the teachings of the church. I would sit and talk with your priest to discuss the matter. I would suggest you are not 'sinning". Years ago, I met with a priest who wondered why I didn't take communion. I explained that I am breaking a commandment every day because I do not honour my parents. He explained that, while the commandment are the commandments, each situation must be examined on its own merit. Are you truly a good person who believes in God? That should be all that matters.

Answer 7

Catholicism has an issue with stopping the procreation process.... Its not specifically against the pills themselves on the basis of what they're technically made FOR .... provided you're not using them for that purpose. I mean if you're not having sex then it doesn't matter a shred.

Sounds to me though like you've been repeatedly abused by the catholic church.... and the idea that you want to go back to it so IT can forgive YOU is an utterly abhorrant thought to me.
I'd recommend quitting religion entirely.... Afterall, any other branch of christianity (or other theistic religion) will only manipulate you, limit your freedom and try its utmost to govern your life in wholly undesirable ways.

Don't you ever want to be free?
Freedom and religion don't go together.... remember that.

Answer 8

I consider myself Catholic. I'm not the "best" in terms of following all the "rules" or teachings of the Church. I take birth control, for obvious reasons - non-medical. Some strict Catholics will probably say it's a sin. I say it's not. (it's a choice I made and I'm okay if it's not in accordance with the Church's teachings)
I say take religion for what it is, a way to get closer to God and to act out your faith. Anyone can get too involved with what is right/wrong in the eyes of the Church/community that they miss the overall picture. You're enhancing your life, period.

Answer 9

No it is not a sin in the eyes of the Church. The Church never prevents anyone from taking required medication or receiving required surgery, even if an undesired side effect is the death of an unborn child, let alone birth control.

Answer 10

No ! This is not a sin,and I am sorry at your young age you have medical problems.I am Christian,I could go on also about the
catholic church. There is no human being that can abolish sin.If something is troubling you just pray to God.Jesus died for our sins,Jesus takes away our sins,if We are sorry.Just a Prayer
that is all,I just said a pray for you,all you need to do is pray, try
to stop worrying .You do not need any church,remember God
everyday and He will always remember You.