I am currently a pre-Catechumenate (sorry for the horrible spelling). My fiance and I have been together for 4 years and we are both virgins. We will remain virgins until we are married, however for health reasons I have been taking a form of estrogen therapy. As I have been researching the medication on the internet, it seems that it has been known in some tests to act similar to oral contraceptives. In some situations causing a thick lining of mucous that is inpenitrable to sperm.

I am fully aware of the gravity of the uses of contraception, and am currently seeking other forms of therapy for my problems, but at this time I have no other options.

Is this something I should speak to my Priest about prior to my becoming a full Catchumen? Or can I continue in my journey while searching for a new medication.

Thanks in advance :)

God bless, Krissy

-- Krissy (olympian41@hotmail.com), November 24, 2002

Answers

Hi Krissy- It is my understanding that this thing is allowed for health reasons. However, if it would make you feel better, by all means speak to your priest. Certainly I wouldn't allow this to stop you in your faith journey. Keep going! God bless you.

J.

-- Jane (jane@don't like spam.either), November 24, 2002.

Hello krissy, First, no medication, even if it has the cabability of preventing conception, can be considered "contraceptive" if it is being taken by a person who is living a celibate life. It is not the medication itself that is a moral problem, but its action in preventing conception. In the absence of sexual union, no medication can "prevent conception", since conception under those circumstances is not a possibility. In marriage, a medication which has the capability of interfering with conception can still be taken if it is required for a genuine medical reason unrelated to contraception; if contraception is an unavoidable side effect, and not the intended purpose of the medication; and if there are no suitable alternatives which could produce the same therapeutic effect without the contraceptive action.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), November 30, 2002.

Hello, Krissy.

Speaking of the future ... if you believe that you are still in need of using a hormonal medication when you become engaged to marry, please contact one or more of the following: (a) an orthodox Catholic priest who is well-trained in moral theology, (b) a priest-advisor to the pro-life American Life League (www.all.org), (c) a priest-advisor to the NFP-teaching Couple to Couple League (www.ccli.org).
The reason I make this request of you is the fact that you would, at that time, need to discuss with a very good priest the morality/immorality of using certain drugs that can act in an abortion-causing manner.

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 03, 2002.

God bless you Krissy. All the other posts were great. You should do what they say.

I wanted to post to you simply to congratulate you on your excellent chastity. It just feels so good to know that there are still some people out there who know the importance of abstinence. Thank you for your testimony!

In Christ.

-- Jake Huether (jake_huether@yahoo.com), December 03, 2002.