Catholics and Birth Control

* In response to “U.S. Catholics’ Stand-Off Holds on Birth Control,” by Frances Kissling, Commentary, July 23:

Kissling is outraged by Catholic teaching that “there is no ‘licit’ sexual activity outside of a sacramental marriage” and by the statement of one orthodox priest that “there are worse things than dying of AIDS, namely, dying in a state of mortal sin.” She bemoans the societal problems of AIDS, teen pregnancy, population pressures, and sexual abuse by priests (rightly so), but presents contraceptives et al., as the only “realistic and positive approach toward human sexuality.” As president of Catholics for a Free Choice (an oxymoron when that “choice” is abortion/contraception), I presume she considers herself a Christian who believes in Gospel values and eternal life. But by her approval of extramarital sex, etc., she rejects Christian (specifically Catholic) teaching that abortion, contraceptives and extramarital sex violate the unitive and procreative principles of human sexuality and are contrary to authentic love, marital fidelity and human dignity, and accepts an ethic that directly leads to the problems she bemoans. So, too, by her implied view that AIDS is worse than mortal sin, does she minimize the realities of an afterlife. She and others in agreement with her have adopted the creed, “I want what I want because I want it.” This is a pagan worldview, not Christian.

SISTER FRANCIS MARY

Beverly Hills

* Frances Kissling must also believe in the free lunch. In the 30 years since the pill has come into widespread use and the “contraceptive mentality” has taken over, premarital and extramarital sex have almost become the norm, predictably leading to a skyrocketing in the divorce rate. Deviant forms of sexual behavior have reached such a stage of acceptance as to create the impression of being not merely condoned but in a way encouraged. Even the great evil of abortion she wishes to avoid (but which is in reality the contraception of last resort) has become legalized. Anyone who thinks that all this is a mere coincidence will have a severe problem dealing with reality.

HARVEY SHELENY

Westminster

* In his column (“Today’s Sexual Liberation Confirms Humane Vitae,” Commentary, July 28), Norman McFarland attempts to tie the increased “availability” and “promotion” of birth control devices to the increase in number of births to single mothers, etc. Even if McFarland’s outlandish assumption were correct, would such a decay in our nation’s morals and social structure not be worth the number of lives that condoms have saved from AIDS?

STEVEN E. DAVIS

Los Angeles