Much of the violence in our society comes from a fundamental attack on life itself. The Holy Father calls it “the culture of death.” But the Church firmly believes that human life, even if weak and suffering, is always a splendid gift of God's goodness. Against the pessimism and selfishness which casts a shadow over the world, the Church stands for life: in each human life She sees the splendor of that “Yes,” that “Amen,” who is Christ Himself (Familiaris Consortio #30).
The family that God meant to be a safe haven of unconditional love is fast becoming the venue for the worst crimes of betrayal: abortion (where parents eliminate their own children), and euthanasia (where children eliminate their own parents). Christian marriage and the Christian family must be a “Sanctuary of Life.” Our reverence for the gift of life stands as the centerpiece of Catholic social doctrine and moral teaching.
The Church's regard for the sanctity of life extends to the marriage act, which in God's plan is at once unitive and procreative. Contraception separates these two meanings that God has inscribed in the being of a man and a woman. “Thus the innate language that expresses the total reciprocal self-giving of husband and wife is overlaid, through contraception, by a … contradictory language, namely that of not giving oneself totally to the other.” (F.C.)
Contraception, which “sterilizes” a marriage act, is substantially different from limiting marital relations to periods of natural infertility. In fact, if a couple always practices contraception, the Church looks on that marriage as unconsummated.
