Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
June 13, 2001
Letters
NFP good for women, families
I wanted to be sure and thank you for your article "Catholic doctor to provide NFP-only services" in the May 23 Register. Because this is such an important issue, I wanted to share some additional thoughts.
Having an NFP-only (natural family planning) doctor, OBGYN in particular, is important because women need to be able to trust the advice doctors give and the care they recommend without fear of moral conflict.
NFP is good for marriages. The incidence of divorce ranges between 2-5 percent in couples who practice NFP, compared to greater than 50 percent in the general population.
NFP is good for women's health. The method is what it claims to be — natural! It is interesting to me that in our culture today, we are so concerned with what is "natural" except in the area of our fertility. We want to eat organic foods, drink purified water and exercise for optimum health and a long life. Yet, women put contraceptives in their bodies that interrupt their bodies' natural fertility and have many negative side affects.
As mothers, we want to trust our OBGYN regarding our daughters as they approach puberty. We want our doctor to encourage chastity and purity, not usurp parental authority and undermine the moral training at which parents work so hard.
Finally, the Catholic Church's teaching on contraception is clear, despite what other "opinions" might say. To be truly Catholic doctors, they should not prescribe contraceptives. By prescribing contraceptives they are participating in and enabling others to participate in something that is considered a grave matter by the Church (mortal sin).
We are all called to live out our Catholic faith whatever our station in life, whatever our vocation, married or single, doctor or whatever. We are all called to live our faith when convenient and inconvenient. Choosing to not prescribe contraceptives may be inconvenient in our culture today, but it's the right thing to do. And the Catholic Church has always taught that.
Lee Ann Rodgers
Denver
Wake up call
The daily newspapers recently ran stories about a controversy over a school yearbook decision. Can someone tell me why any adolescents kissing is suitable yearbook material?
Where were the parents of these immature exhibitionists? Have any of them even offered comment? Since when are repetitious interviews of giggling attention seekers worthy of any coverage?
Our society continues to spew its mixed messages. We want to see development of character, respect for law and for each other, and we wring our hands pretending to be puzzled when departure from human decency, cruelty, dishonesty and violence occur. Yet, we continue to sensationalize these aberrations.
Wake up, parents! Wake up, educators! Wake up, media! Lest we get what we deserve.
Elizabeth Powers
Denver
Novak's facts wrong
I read with interest the article in the May 2 Register based on a talk by Michael Novak given to the Colorado Council on Economics Education on April 25.
Mr. Novak is correct "that creating jobs is the only way to help the poor." He is dead wrong however, with the statement that "In Peru, to open a business a person needs to get 30 different permits, which take up to 200 days to secure and cost about $2,000 in fees and bribes."
I am president of a small Peruvian company, which we set up about two years ago. All permits were obtained and the company was registered in three weeks. It cost us less than $500, which included registration fees, lawyer fees and public notary fees. We paid no bribes. Smaller companies such as would be set up by poor people, would pay less than we did.
Carlos Velasco
General Consul for Peru in Denver
West book a gift
I just want to express my gratefulness for all the spiritual healing, renewal of my faith, and learning about human sexuality and God's love that I have received from Christopher West's presentations, articles, and his book. He has truly been a gift to our Church in teaching John Paul's "Theology of the Body" and helping us who are thirsting for the truth to understand how to live it in our daily lives. He is doing a remarkable job. Thank you, Chris and (wife) Wendy. Please keep teaching us!
Madeleine Fisher
Westminster
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