Contraception & Communion

[Sinner]

I know a young lady who had a baby at 17 unwed. She relates she is not having sex, but fears she might again and knows she is not ready to have another child. She is now on Norplant. She wants to know if she can take communion in this situation and I did not have a quick answer so thought I would ask here. I already gave the advice to stop contracepting. Any help?

Edited March 21, 2010 by Sinner

[CatherineM]

I chose not to use oral contraceptives for a medical condition, but that was a personal choice. Women are allowed to use them for real medical concerns that do not include contraceptive purposes. The reason I chose not to use them when I licitly could have, is that I saw what happened to my college roommate. She used them for a medical purpose, but later easily fell into a sexual relationship because she was "protected."

If your friend is having sex outside of marriage, then her reception of communion would be a problem. If she were using the contraceptives for a legitimate medical concern, but not having sex outside of marriage, then she could receive communion without a problem. It seems as if she falls somewhere inbetween.

When it comes to sin, intent is what really matters. If she were my friend, I would encourage her to have a frank discussion with a priest. She needs some guidance. She has already made mistakes in the past, and without some sound moral guidance, she is very likely going to end up making some more in the future. If she is afraid she will have sex in the future, using contraceptives will just make it easier for that to come true.

[Theoketos]

It is always grave matter to use unnatural means to prevent conception during consensual intercourse.

I would also say that using contraception, just in case, is an occasion of sin.

Pray for her.

May we all keep our purity pure.