I am just curious about this. A friend of mine who is catholic recently experienced dysfunctional uterine bleeding. In order to alleviate the blood loss, her doctor prescribed birth control pills to her. There is no other way to treat this at this time other than a hysterectomy which is unacceptable because she plans to have children one day. She wants to ask her priest about taking the pills and I told her that she should just listen to her doctor seeing as how her priest isn't a doctor and can't give her another way to stop the bleeding. So, my question is in the Catholic religion, is she justified in taking the pills to safeguard her health or not? Which takes precedence: her health or the churches teachings on birth control?
Again, I'm just curious. She will probably take the pills regardless because she is tired of the bleeding, iron deficiency, and risk of anemia.
2007-07-03 19:31:38 · 16 answers · asked by jenn_smithson 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To =42,
I understand that the intent behind the action is big in catholicism so I do understand your answer. However, she will probably have to take these pills until she is ready to become pregnant which means they will have the same effect for her as for everyone else taking them to prevent pregnancy. Does that change anything?
Peace,
Jenn
2007-07-03 19:38:03 · update #1
believe me , such questions as these are often discussed in catholic theological circles.
are you or your friend aware that the catholic church has many doctors who are priests and or religious(nuns and brothers) who are trained as doctors or bioethicists?
going to her priest doesnt mean she will get the proper answers from him but a good priest will refer her to those in the field who undertand catholic teachings well and have alternative means to cure her if the current cure is not considered orthodox.
2007-07-03 20:22:21 · answer #1 · answered by Giorgio M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, your friend is entirely justified in seeking the advice of a Catholic priest. This is not simply a medical issue. It's a moral issue as well given the choice of medical treatments.
If I want medical advice, I see a doctor. For moral advice, I'm seeing a priest.
Your friend may use the birth control pills because they are not being used as birth control, they are being used to control a bleeding disorder. Nothing wrong with this.
HOWEVER, having said that, if your friend were to start using the pill as medical treatment AND birth control simultaniously, such an action would be immoral.
2007-07-06 02:47:49 · answer #2 · answered by Daver 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I watched Fr. Caropi on EWTN one night and he answered this very question. There is nothing wrong with your friend taking the pills. The answer lies with intent. She is trying to alleviate a medical problem – dysfunctional uterine bleeding. The doctors prescribed birth control pills. Nothing wrong with that. Even though birth control pills do prevent pregnancy, she is not taking them for that reason; she is trying to cure a medical condition. Tell your friend that if it would make her feel more comfortable to speak with a priest and explain the situation. She should be fine.
God bless and take care.
2007-07-04 04:11:21 · answer #3 · answered by Danny H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is yet another "D+++ned if you do, d+++ned if you don't situation, and the Catholic religion is facing many obstacles right now over the archaic rules that don't comply with the way people live their lives today.
Some of these old rules are being modified or abolished, and some are still subject of controversy.
In this case, I believe the priest would advise your friend to seek the best medical assistance that would make her healthy, and later decide whether having children is feasible.
However, not being either a priest or doctor, I am just speculating.
I believe your friend's well being takes precedence, and toward that goal, I offer her my prayers.
2007-07-03 19:39:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm catholic and I think that it's ridiculous to consult your priest for health issues. First of all, the priest is still a man. He's not all holy and pure. This guy probably had a girlfriend before the priesthood, got dumped, dumped her, or whatever. Bottom line, the catholic religion is extremely flexible. You have your dedicated followers but it's nowhere near the loyalty of the islamic religion. How many catholics really give up something of moral value during lent? "oh i gave up chocolate for lent..." big freakin deal! way to sacrafice?
Anyways, I digress....
She should just take the pill, be healthy and happy because that is why God put us on this earth. He didn't put us on this earth to suffer and go through pain and agony. The reason why people went to jesus when they were sick or in pain was because he could heal them...a priest can just sit there and listen and instruct to say an X amount of prayers.
2007-07-03 19:39:02 · answer #5 · answered by pxp608 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As long as she is taking the pill for a medical condition, and not to prevent pregnancy, then no problem. It's all about why she is taking the pill.
Edit: it's all about degrees , isn't it ? It's a sin to steal. Is it still a sin to steal a loaf of bread to feed your starving family ? If you take the pill for health reasons, but are secretly happy that it is also preventing you from getting pregnant, that is not a sin against God, it's just good old Catholic guilt.
2007-07-03 19:34:03 · answer #6 · answered by =42 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Let the medical handle medicine and let morality guide the heart and spirit . I've heard of cases were to many abortions prevent full term pregnancies later on you might check about birth control over a protracted time as well . If worst comes into being you can adopt but I think you have a good view of things . good luck if your health fails your church teachings won't make a whole lot of difference will they? and get a second medical opinion as well.
2007-07-03 20:00:58 · answer #7 · answered by dogpatch USA 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Her priest gave her the only possible answer ... to ask her doctor what to do. In this case, it is quite 'okay' to take the 'birth control pills' because she is NOT taking them because she doesn't want to get pregnant ... she's taking them to 'save herself' so that she can have children someday. Right now, it would be 'dangerous' to get pregnant, and until her 'unregulated bleeding' and other symptoms STOP she shouldn't get pregnant ... so tell her that it is not a 'sin' to take the 'pill' in her case, since she's trying to 'saver herself' so that she can have a child, not STOP from having one.
2007-07-03 19:36:05 · answer #8 · answered by Kris L 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
>>So, my question is in the Catholic religion, is she justified in taking the pills to safeguard her health or not?<<
Yes, she may take the pills. The Church has specifically addressed this:
"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 there from—provided such impediment is not directly intended for any motive whatsoever." -- Humanae Vitae 15
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.html
2007-07-03 19:49:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If she is taking them to treat her condition only, and not as a birth control measure then it is no different than taking an aspirin for a headache. However, if her condition improves then she should stop the birth control pills
2007-07-03 19:36:29 · answer #10 · answered by thewizardofodd 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋