LifeNet

New Study: Abortion rate doubled in Spain despite very increased contraception

This is an excellent article, which discusses a number of studies refuting the idea that increased artificial birth control lowers the abortion rate.

Abortions Double in Spain Despite Increased Contraception

The study, following women in Spain of childbearing age since 1997, had researchers surveying women every two years about their contraceptive use and whether they became pregnant or had an abortion.

The study found overall use of contraceptive methods increased from 49.1% to 79.9% during the 10 year time period ending in 2007. Condom usage rates rose from 21 to 38.8 percent while women were more likely to use the birth control pill (14.2% to 20.3%).

Despite the increase reliance on birth control and contraception, the elective abortion rate increased from 5.52 to 11.49 per 1000 women.

“The factors responsible for the increased rate of elective abortion need further investigation,” the authors wrote.

Yes, "... further investigation! Of course, here'sthe real point -

Jill Stanek, a pro-life nurse and blogger, noticed the study and said, “The results were unsurprising. What was laughable was the researchers’ conclusion.”

“Any person with common sense could cue the researchers that the more casual sex one has, the greater likelihood there will be of pregnancy, contraception use notwithstanding,’ Stanek said. “Contraceptive use only provides a false sense of security.”

“As most recently evidenced on the MTV abortion special, minor girls and young women are too immature or irresponsible to handle contraception properly, for starters. Men aren’t so good at it either, since even as the pro-abort group Guttmacher notes, the failure rate of condoms is a whopping 17.4%,” she added.

The article goes on to quote several other studies, all pointing to the same conclusion - increased contraceptive activity increases the abortion rate. Please pass this on to others who are involved in the discussion, or in counseling young people.

 

From Culture of Life Foundation: Does contraception prevent abortion?

A very useful article by theologian William May. Note especially his discussion of contraceptives as abortifacients and "Plan B", suggesting that this is an unresloved question.

DOES CONTRACEPTION PREVENT ABORTION?

First Theology of the Body Congress: a massive success

Held in Philadelphia, July 28-30.

Philadelphia Cardinal calls the Theology of the Body ‘the curriculum for the Culture of Life’

Cardinal Justin Rigali delivered a powerful call to action to attendees of the first National Theology of the Body Congress. He urged, “This Congress must not end. The contribution of the speakers and participants, the fruits of the seminars, discussions, and artistic performances must advance still further. This Congress must become a campaign of human and catechetical formation.”
He called for the mining and proclamation of the rich content presented at the Congress “so that the next generation can continue to access and comprehend it.”
The National Theology of the Body Congress organized and hosted by the Theology of the Body Institute drew attendees from 10 countries and 39 U.S. states. They represented 111 dioceses. Two bishops, more than 50 priests, six deacons and dozens of other religious were among the more-than 450 attendees. Because the Congress sold out very quickly the Theology of the Body Institute offered live streaming during the Congress that attracted online attendees from 17 U.S. states, and 10 countries on five continents.
Cardinal Rigali, who also serves as the Episcopal Chairman of the Theology of the Body Institute, remarked on the great work of this inaugural event, which he noted as occurring exactly three decades after John Paul II introduced the theology of the body. “Today, this First National Congress on the Theology of the Body shows us that the catechesis given thirty years ago is now the curriculum of the Culture of Life,” Cardinal Rigali said in his homily during the Mass this morning. The Cardinal went on further to say that the “teaching of John Paul II on the theology of the body must be further introduced into Pre-Cana programs, RCIA instruction, Natural Family Planning training, parish adult education programs, campus ministry programs, youth groups, homilies, and religious education among children and adolescents.”
The Congress included keynote addresses, workshops and panel discussions featuring some of the most popular theology of the body lecturers and catechists in the world.

Raquel Welch on abortion and contraception

From a CNN series on the 50th anniversary of the birth control pill. She discusses her pregnancy at the age of 19.

I'm ashamed to admit that I myself have been married four times, and yet I still feel that it is the cornerstone of civilization, an essential institution that stabilizes society, provides a sanctuary for children and saves us from anarchy.

In stark contrast, a lack of sexual inhibitions, or as some call it, "sexual freedom," has taken the caution and discernment out of choosing a sexual partner, which used to be the equivalent of choosing a life partner. Without a commitment, the trust and loyalty between couples of childbearing age is missing, and obviously leads to incidents of infidelity. No one seems immune.