[ninergold3]

My mother-in-law was Catholic. She had six children - had a worthless, lazy man as a husband and she worked 3 jobs to try to support the family. She went to her local parish to ask permission to use birth control due to her family situation. She was told, in no uncertain terms, "no". That was the last time she ever set foot in a Catholic church except for weddings and funerals.

My great-aunt heard this story and told my MIL that it was "easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission". My great-aunt simply used birth control and asked for forgiveness when she went to confession.

[momtothree]

I applaud your MIL. However, it seems that many front row Catholics would throw the first stone at her. IMHO.