Of course it works. The problem, obviously, is that those who hear it are not listening. They would prefer to hear those positions that support their practices. That is not about to happen!
Why is Roman Catholic contraceptive usage marginally higher than the rest of the population then? For that matter, why is the abortion rate for Catholic women substantially (not marginally, substantially) higher than for Protestant women?
Personal choice! If I turn a deaf ear to what my priest tells me, I have then opted to follow my conscience, even if it is diametrically opposed to what the Church teaches. That is not the fault of the Church.
I do have to wonder why, however, the abortion rate among Catholic women is so high.
Is it? What is the abortion rate among Catholics?
Turrning a deaf ear towards the teachings of one's Church does not negate them. On the other hand, when a Church accedes to the weaknesses of its members and justifies their failings, I would step back and take a closer look.
"That is not the fault of the Church"
Well, we do all have free will. I contend, however, that by declaring something dogma ex cathedra which the people haven't accepted, this is an unfortunate result of a theological/ecclesiological mistake.
"Is it? What is the abortion rate among Catholics?"
If one includes Hispanic women, 33% higher than among Protestant women. Looked at another way, the rate of abortion among Catholic women of all ethnicities in the US is 5.1 per 1000 pregnancies.
By the way, I have been a member of my state's Right to Life organization for many, many years.