The Church recognizes that there
are legitimate reasons for preventing pregnancy,
that births may be regulated, but what is necessary
is a moral means for doing this and a correct understanding
of responsible parenthood.
Responsible parenthood includes
knowledge of and respect for fertility and the laws
that govern it. Natural Family planning provides
the best knowledge we have about the laws that govern
our fertility, about the signs of fertility and infertility.
Responsible parenthood involves
self-mastery and an understanding, as well as a proper
ordering, of one’s drives or passions. Natural
Family Planning fosters self-control and helps couples
accept more fully the responsibility God gives us
with regard to procreation.
Responsible parenthood concerns
the consideration of the factors or conditions, which
have a bearing on family size. When considering physical,
economic, psychological and sociological factors,
couples are responsible to God, to themselves, to
their families and to society, in that order. Natural
Family Planning assists couples in making generous
and responsible decisions regarding family size.
Finally, responsible parenthood
must be exercised with respect to the moral order.
Church teaching does not say that a couple must intend
to have a child in each and every marriage act. Should
intercourse take place during the fertile time, when
conception is possible, the couple must respect this
possibility and must not frustrate it through contraceptive
means. The life giving potential of the marital act
must not be deliberately removed. With the use of
Natural Family Planning, unlike contraception, nothing
is done before, during or after the martial act to
render the act sterile, incomplete or to prevent
implantation of a fertilized ovum.
Why Natural Family Planning?
• 
