[Snuffington]

But in the not so wealthy parish I grew up in I distinctly remember the only acceptable method of birth control, to the Church, was the rythymn method. Even that ( can't spell it again ) appears to be unacceptable to Church fathers. How did that gain acceptance when Augustine's Marriage and Concupiscence seems to address that issue?

An extremely important question!

The "Rhythm method" was really just an early form of Natural Family Planning, which has since adopted more sophisticated, yet still technically licit, methods. Google the "sympto-thermo method" or "Natural Family Planning" for more info on the methods.

The theology, however, is tricky. In fact, I would argue that in most cases, couples practicing Natural Family Planning are violating the constant teaching of the Church on this topic. I say this as a former practitioner of it, who only saw the problems inherent in it after the birth of my first child.

I know Dr. Kopp has a differing opinion, and I'll not try to put words in his mouth. But in my opinion, Natural Family Planning lends itself very easily to the same contraceptive intentions as artificial contraception. In those cases, it is in violation of the Church's teaching.

[Polycarp]

But in my opinion, Natural Family Planning lends itself very easily to the same contraceptive intentions as artificial contraception. In those cases, it is in violation of the Church's teaching.

I agree completely.

[Polycarp]

In fact, I would argue that in most cases, couples practicing Natural Family Planning are violating the constant teaching of the Church on this topic.

I know Dr. Kopp has a differing opinion

Not necessarily. I know the couples I teach are well instructed on the Church's teachings, but I have no way of knowing what they are doing in ther own practice of it, nor do I have any idea about the reast of Catholic couples in this country or how they were taught or even whether they were taught the necessity of having grave reason for recourse to NFP.