Casti Connubii (1930) - Thoughts Please

[CatholicCid]

[quote name='HisChildForever' timestamp='1353128987' post='2511661']
I'm not sure if this would be licit, but if the wife is extremely adamant about using contraception, could the husband ask that if she makes this decision she not use an abortifacient drug (or sterilization for that matter)?
[/quote]

I think this is another question that would best fall to a moral theologian.

My uneducated guess concerning abortifacient contraception, however, would be that such a request would be licit [b]if[/b] the husband were to make it clear that he does not agree with the use of contraception at all. He is not directly agreeing with her use of a "lesser" contraceptive, but clearly stating that the use of any possible abortifacient would cause him greater concern and force an even greater evaluation on his part of whether or not he can participate in the marital act.

Referring back to #13 from the Vademecum, I believe this opinion would be in agreement with the third point for participating in the marital act under such conditions. By primarily requesting (in all charity) that the spouse desist from using all contraception, he can attempt to convert her heart one step at a time. The document recognizes that a total conversion will not be achievable "necessarily in that moment, nor on every single occasion." To move from an abortifacient contraception to a non-abortifacient contraception would seem to be a step in the right direction, as the wife is at least recognizing, in some way, the dignity of human life that comes from the marital act. And, she would know that her use of contraception, even a non-abortifacient, is still conflicting her husband.

I am not quite sure how to address the sterilization aspect, though I think the above sentiments would still apply. The husband cannot compromise on the issue of contraception, but can request that the wife seriously consider her choices and the effects they will have not only for her, but for their marriage.

Edited November 17, 2012 by CatholicCid

[tinytherese]

[font=comic sans ms,cursive][size=4]Correct me if I'm wrong, but from the research I've done, the only contraceptive that is not an abortaficient is a condom. [/size][/font]

Edited November 17, 2012 by tinytherese

[MIKolbe]

Spermicides and sponges aren't... i think...