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Bret Green's avatar

I remember a day, not long ago, when athletes were clean-cut, polite and carried themselves with a high standard of behavior, on and off the field. What was not allowed: the loud-mouthed, uncouth, chest-beating, grand-standing animals, which are worshiped by the masses today.

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Penny & John Harrison's avatar

Yes, I have heard these objections before with the use of NFP, as my joining the Catholic Church in ‘93 brought a lot of questions to the fore. And when Grace was given we were able to teach NFP to many couples as it was a lovely gift for our own marriage. We would teach the engaged about the serious or “grave” reason, that when it is a deep sorrow not to be able to welcome another child due to deep emotional, societal, monetary, health, etc. issues, then you know you could have a serious issue. It would be an issue for the two of you and a spiritual advisor for discernment. The practice of NFP can develop a great deal of virtue, including self-control, humility, patience, and ultimately a very real joining of marital hearts as we become an image of Christ’s sacrifice for his bride the Church, in bringing the spiritual and corporeal life in abundance. This kind of transformation due to Grace and Mercy does not happen overnight to the vast majority of us, so some that start out with an attitude of “two and done” will likely change their outlook IF they are not commiting the mortal sin of contraception and/or sterilization, or in relative infertility, IVF. And then there is always the added health benefit of knowing what your body is doing for the wives. And, in our diocese there are quite a few reverent Masses offered in the post-conciliar form; ad orientem, chant, boy altar servers and acolytes, dalmatics, incense. It is possible and it is growing. The young Mr. B lacks nuance, but God is faithful, therefore there will be purification-purgation as we all experience. It might be more intense due to the weight of the public witness. Again prayers for him and his. One item that I find interesting that is not much being debated re: Mr. B’s address, is his mentioning the threat developing in lawfare to us if we dare to name those who killed Christ or say something as true as Christ is King. Hmmm.

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