Pope Francis Says Contraception May Be 'Lesser of Two Evils' During Zika Virus Outbreak

abcnews.go.com ^ | February 18, 2016 | Gillian Mohney and Terry Moran

[rdl6989]

With the mosquito-borne Zika virus continuing to spread through Central and South America, Pope Francis said today that contraception could be seen as "the lesser of two evils" if women are concerned about having children with the birth defect microcephaly.

The Zika virus is usually mild, but has been associated with a rise of the alarming birth defect, characterized by an abnormally small head and brain, often leading to significant developmental delays.

The pope compared the situation to a decree issued by Pope Paul VI, which said nuns in Africa could use contraception due to the threat of rape.

[Dr. Sivana]

I’ve never understood the “contraception is evil” crowd. What a ridiculous position.

No, it was held by pretty much all Christianity until the Lambeth conference in 1930. You can read the Catholic Catechism if you are interested in understanding the position.

[arl295]

Its so 7th century

[rdl6989]

Now I will brush up on the Lambeth Conference of 1930. Thanks, I wasn’t aware of this.

[Fightin Whitey]

It’s an article of faith.

You don’t have to abide by it or even give it a thought.

But you might spare the faithful (which hardly describes me, by the way) your scorn.

[Dr. Sivana]

It’s ridiculous to maintain the only purpose for intercourse should be pregnancy.

The Church never maintained that this was its only purpose, otherwise there'd be no allowance for relations during pregnancy. The idea is for each act to be open to life, whether it is likely to happen or not. In like wise, nutrition is not the ONLY reason we eat, but if we install vomitoriums and puke so we can eat an unlimited amount, that is sinful.

[Buckeye McFrog]

If the Pope does not see how that statement ties him in a theological Gordian knot, he IS naive.

[Yuri Orinko]

Most Catholics use birth control. Everyone knows that.

[baltimorepoet]

The Zika virus causing people to be born with small heads and small brains is a mutation of the Liberal virus, which causes people to have a small brain.

[fatima]

Whattttt.

[Salvation]

??

I doubt this is what he actually said.

[baltimorepoet]

Honestly, the Cardinals that elected Francis must have had something other than wine in the cup....

Absinthe?

[Salvation]

Why do you believe ABC about Catholicism when you don’t believe them about politics?

[Fightin Whitey]

Or just a willful liar.

[stanne]

“I’ve never understood the “contraception is evil” crowd. What a ridiculous position.”

It’s not a crowd. It is theology

I don’t suppose you nor most people here would take a moment to read Humanae Vitae and THEN speak intelligently about whether birth control is evil

Until then, your comments are worthless

[rdl6989]

Here are a few other sources:

https://www.google.com/search?q=francis+contraception&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&channel=fs&trackid=sp-006&gws_rd=ssl#q=francis+contraception&tbm=nws

[Steven Tyler]

Pope just stepped on his critizism of Trump, knocked it out of the news cycle

[reegs]

Good Lord, can we pull Pope Benedict off the bench already??? How about encouraging the faithful to “take up the cross” and abstain if they are concerned about contracting the virus? I’m sure we’ll here a “clarifying statement” soon to explain what the Pope REALLY meant.

[gdani]

This might help:

Consequences of Artificial Methods

I understand the Catholic Church's rationale. I just happen to disagree with it. As do, I suspect, most Catholics (in practice).

[steve86]

I'll go on record as a Catholic with the “only purpose” declaration although continuing relations for an older couple and relations for pleasure for a married couple during non-fertile periods are, of course, permissible.

[Campion]

“contraception allowed” = MORE fornication = MORE abortion & MORE adultery & MORE devaluing of sex & NO MORE marriage & MORE fatherless kids