"Contraceptives affect environment too, water expert tells conference"

Truth makes interesting bedfellows, in this case pro-lifers and environmentalists (and no, I'm not saying they're contradictory causes, I'm saying that often, sadly, the latter are at-odds with the former):

Mark W. LeChevallier agrees with Dr. Lester Ruppersberger, a pro-life obstetrician and gynecologist, that natural family planning is safe, healthy and effective. But he would add one more characteristic: It's environmentally responsible.

... In a talk with the daunting title of "Endocrine Disruptions: Chemical Contraceptives in Sewage Effluents," LeChevallier explained that like secondhand smoke, "secondhand estrogens are being released into the environment," to devastating effect on fish, panthers, alligators and other wildlife. (CNS)

I'm not sure I'd take it quite this far:

He said touting the environmental benefits of natural family planning "can be a new way to evangelize youths" and attract them to the church-approved method of postponing pregnancy.

The real way to attract them is the physiological, psychological and spiritual benefits, but sure - environmental as well. The rest of what he says is sound, informed and so desparately needs to be heard by our culture and youth especially.

Good: "U.S. bishops launch Natural Family Planning Awareness Week"

This is a good, positive way to approach Catholics (and non-Catholics) about artificial contraception alternatives as the 40th anniversary of Humanae Vitae approaches this Friday:

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has launched “Natural Family Planning Awareness Week” to promote Catholic teaching about human sexuality, marital love, and responsible parenthood as the 40th anniversary of Humanae Vitae approaches.

...

Natural Family Planning (NFP) uses a variety of methods for married couples to determine the signs of a woman’s fertility to help conceive a child, or for serious reasons, to avoid a pregnancy, but still maintaining an openness to life. (CNA)

The URL is: http://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/nfp/nfpweek/

They also offer a poster suitable for putting up on your parish's bulletin board, which you can download in English & Spanish (PDF files), or order it.

The Contrarians' Review talks NFP

The Contrarians' Review is hosting a provocative series of reflection essays on the topic of Natural Family Planning. They are, individually, short reads, and pose some interesting questions:

• The Tuscan Orchard – An Un-Aesthetic Tale (Part 1)
• Opening Questions (Part 2)

What are your thoughts about his "thermometer conondrum"?

I think Natural Family Planning is a very good thing, when used for appropriate reasons. I think people also tend to forget that NFP is quite often used for the purpose of achieving pregnancy, and not only avoiding it.

Is the author, Ted Turner, demanding too much of NFP anthropologically, do you think?

Videos: NFP vs. Contraception (a la Apple)

A seminarian for the Diocese of Saginaw sent along a link to these three excellent videos entitled "NFP vs. Contraception," done in the style of those popular Apple commercials.

The actors are seminarians who recently participated in the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha, Nebraska. I've studied with both of them and I have to tip my hat - they did an awesome job!

Video 1:


Video 2:


Video 3:

Spread the word!