LifeNet

Co-founder of Billings natural fertility regulation method

Doctor Who Founded Billings Method Dies at 95

Taught Natural Family Planning With Doctor-Husband for Decades

ROME, February 19, 2013 (Zenit.org) - Dr. Evelyn Livingston Billings died Saturday at age 95.

Together with her husband, Dr. John Billings, she founded the method of natural fertility regulation that bears their name.

Her studies on breastfeeding mothers and women approaching menopause made a major contribution to the work.  

The couple traveled the world teaching the Billings method for half a century.

Her non-fiction book "The Billings Method" was first published in 1980, and was reprinted 16 times with seven new or revised editions in 22 languages. The latest completely revised edition was published in 2011. 

She was a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life.

She is survived by eight of her nine children, 39 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren. 

Dr. John Billings died in 2007.

Ed Mechmann of NY Archdiocese Family Life office on the "Theology of the Body"

Ed has a very fine post up on his blog.

Excerpt below the link - hit the link for the whole highly recommended short post -

Reflections on the Theology of the Body

In discussing the Theology of the Body, one has to distinguish between (a) the doctrines of the Church, (b) Pope John Paul II’s teaching, and (c) the presentations given by teachers like Christopher West and others.  It would also be helpful to see the Theology of the Body in the proper context.

One always has to remember that the Theology of the Body is a theological explanation of the teachings of the Church, and is not a new doctrine in and of itself.  It is part of an effort by Popes John Paul and Benedict and others to propose a Christian anthropology of love that will provide a modern and accessible theological and philosophical explanation for the teachings of the Church.  You have to view the Theology of the Body in that context.

Catholic New York: An Approach to Infertility

Catholic New York is the Archdiocese newspaper.

Dr. Anne Mielnik, founder and director of Gianna: The Catholic Healthcare Center for Women in Manhattan.

 

Infertility and NaProTechnology

... doctors have developed an alternative to IVF that is as effective as IVF, does not create or destroy embryos, allows a married couple to conceive naturally, and is completely in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church. The approach is called NaProTechnology (NPT), which stands for Natural Procreative Technology. It is based on more than 40 years of scientific research, and it can help up to 70 percent of infertile couples to conceive, depending on the cause of their infertility.

In the NPT approach, doctors work to identify all of the correctable factors that might be keeping a couple from conceiving. Subtle hormonal abnormalities and abnormal patterns of ovulation, which are often missed on the standard infertility evaluation, are identified and corrected using medications that restore health and function to the woman's reproductive cycle. Anatomic abnormalities such as damaged fallopian tubes and endometriosis are corrected by using special surgical techniques. NaProTechnology thus provides an effective, ethical alternative to IVF for couples struggling with infertility, in a way that is in keeping with the teachings of the Catholic Church and is consistent with the values of many couples.

And see also, this accompanying story: Couples Praise Gianna Center for Its Science and Spirituality

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.