Far from India, in the suburbs of Chicago, lives a faithful Catholic couple named James and Kathleen Littleton. They have an amazing marriage. (Click here to read the articles about them on the Regnum Christi website…) They discerned a call of openness to life and are the proud parents of 14 living children (and 5 in Heaven). They write in their book “Better by the Dozen, Plus 2” the greatest gifts parents can give to their children:
- First of the greatest gifts is to pass on the gift of faith in God, leading by example, including the unswerving practice of one’s faith and religion….
- The second greatest gift is a secure, enduring, happy marriage between father and mother….
- The third greatest gift…is unique, and can never be repeated…the profound gift is that of another child…
- The fourth greatest gift is that of the parents…at the cost of sacrificing many things, being present to and loving their children. No money, gifts, sports, or activities will ever be able to substitute for our loving presence with our children.
Contrast this view with the teachings professed “Catholic” Melinda Gates, wife of millionaire Bill Gates. She is on a personal crusade to bring contraception – artificial birth control — to the world. Having visiting the poor in many places, she claims that she has learned mothers and fathers want to give their children “every good thing.” In her opinion, having total control over the number of children a couple has is the key to this goal. Clearly, every good thing for Melinda means material goods.
In an “educational” talk being circulated via the Internet, Melinda says poor women, like those she has talked with in Africa, desperately want access to contraception. She said they walk miles to get contraceptive injections, many “without their husbands’ knowledge,” because sometimes the husband’s “wanted to have children” and the women did not.
I wonder what would happen if Melinda learned true Catholic teaching and what it means to give children “every good thing?” What would happen if Melinda Gates invested her money and time in following the example of Mother Teresa, who taught the poor in India the amazing practice of Natural Family Planning? (Apparently, during her self-described “incredible social justice upbringing,” Melinda missed the nun’s speech given after Mother Teresa received the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize.)
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for Melinda, and all of us, your children.
First of all, excellent article! I agree 100% that giving every good thing to one’s children is the way to go. (To boot, it often gives serenity and peace to the parents!)
I have one quibble, and I only bring it up because I think it is important; otherwise people might come away with an misunderstanding about why the Church opposes contraception. The problem with contraception has nothing to do with whether it is “artificial” or not. In other words, the mere fact that a man-made object or substance is employed does not make it immoral (any more than using eyeglasses or medicine).
The problem lies in the fact that it defeats the very purpose of marital relations. Marriage and marital relations do not, of course, reduce to the mere generation of children–they are much more than that–but children and their education are an essential and indispensible aspect of those realities. Destroy the fecundity, and the act ceases to be a true marital act.
Anyway, that is just to say that I discourage the use of the term “artificial contraception,” because it seems to imply that there is a “natural” kind that is legitimate. There is not. Natural family planning can achieve one of the goals of contraception (spacing or preventing pregnancies), but it is not contraceptive in nature.
Anyway, sorry for the quibble, and thank you for the article!