Sexuality: At the Service of the Person & Responsible Parenthood

I was invited to a RH Bill Forum in UP Diliman yesterday organized by the College of Social Science & Philosophy (CSSP) Student Council. I would like to thank the organizers for having staged this activity. It was a wonderful opportunity to hear both sides of the debate on the RH Bill, with 3 pro-RH and 3 anti-RH bill speakers.

As the discussion was getting a bit heated, I thought it wise to hold some of my comments and instead put it into writing, so that I can phrase things better and the reader can reflect on it more, in peace in quiet. Some of the speakers and members of the audience seem to object to hear about the teachings of the Catholic Church or even about Natural Moral Law. However, as what former Senator Tatad said during his talk, as a citizen we relate to our country, but as a human being, a person, we relate to our Creator, to our God. We cannot keep God out of a discussion that has a direct effect and impact on human dignity, on human life, on the sanctity of marriage and of the family. God has to be very much in the picture, like it or not, believer or not.

Some of the questions raised by the students are in the area of sexuality and responsible parenthood. To give myself credibility, I thought it prudent to cite my source which is the Bioethics textbook we use in our medical school: "Ethical Practices in Health & Disease" by Michael A. Monge, MD.

In synthesis the essential elements of human sexuality are:
a)The sexual instinct or tendency is innate (inborn),theological (ordained towards an end---procreation, transcends psychology (ordained towards another person away from self and does not need intelligence but is regulated by it

b)Man is sexual. However, he has other qualities besides being sexual. Though always present, sexuality is not everything.

c)Sex is an objective reality in accord with God’s plan for man; therefore it is good in itself. However, it must be subject to moral norms just as anything worthwhile remains within the just limits of the spirit.

The first principle of sexual life is: marriage is the only natural way willed by God wherein sexual life may be exercised morally.

d)Sexuality is the biological vehicle for self-giving between man and woman.However, human love involves everything---all the dimensions of “being,” – including the affective and spiritual.

Sexuality ought to be at the service of the person.

e)The sexual instinct is ordained essentially to the propagation of the species, to the transmission of life.

The unitive and procreative aspects of sexual love must not be separated.

Responsible Parenthood

If we examine the innate drives and emotions of man, responsible parenthood expresses the dominion which reason and will must exert over them.

Everything directly related to the transmission of life participates in the creative power of God; consequently, it should be treated with respect and responsibility.

It is important for spouses (according to their respective capacities) to know the mechanism of the female cycle, not to interfere, but to respect these natural processes because they are dealing with “biological laws which involve the person”(Humane vitae).

Knowledge of biological mechanisms “must lead to education in self-control”: hence, the absolute necessity of the virtue of chastity and of permanent education in this virtue. (Pope John Paul II)

“If we consider the relevant physical, economic, psychological and social conditions, responsible parenthood is exercised by those who prudently and generously decide to have a large family or by those who, for serious reasons and with due respect for the moral law, choose not to have children for the time being or even for an indeterminate period (Humane vitae).

Decision to limit the number of children will depend on:
1)The existence of a serious motive for avoiding the birth of another child; and
2)Respect for the moral law while searching for the most adequate means of avoiding birth.

The characteristic sign of a Christian couple is their generous openness to life, to acceptance from God children as gift of love” (Pope John Paul II) as opposed to having a “contraceptive mentality.”

However, this does not mean that we should have the attitude of “natalism” at all cost, as if the “number” of children, in itself, were the unmistakable sign of authentic Christian matrimonial life. What matters is the integrity and honesty of married life. (J. Escriva)

Regulation of Birth

A) Illicit Methods:
“Any act performed before, during or after sexual intercourse which is intended to prevent procreation---whether as an end or as a means” is illicit.

e.g., Abortion, sterilization, and all artificial means of contraception which interfere with the normal development of the conjugal union, whether mechanical, physical or chemical.

B) Licit Methods
“If there are reasonable motives for spacing births, arising from the physical or psychological condition of the husband or wife, or external circumstances, married couples may take advantage of the natural cycles of the reproductive system and use their marriage precisely those times that are infertile, and in this way control birth, a way which does not in the least offend the moral principles. (Church Magisterium)

Periodic Continence – the only licit method of avoiding conception while performing sexual union because it conforms with human nature and the dignity of the person.

1)Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Method – based on the presumption that the lowest point of registry before the elevation of basal temperature coincides with ovulation. The woman who has a daily record of her temperature can detect when her ovulation occurs.

2)Cervical Mucus or Billings Method – based on the observation that cervical mucus changes from sticky to raw egg white in consistency during days of ovulation. When it becomes sticky again, probably the days of ovulation have passed.

The fact that periodic continence is licit does not always mean that it is moral to use it. It cannot be practiced according to whim. It is a personal decision of both spouses, who ought to judge the gravity of the circumstances and have serious reasons.

Therapeutic Use of “Pills”
a)It is licit to prescribe these drugs to treat gynecologic disorder (e.g., hormonal imbalance). The contraceptive effect is permitted as a secondary effect.
b)It is not licit to use these drugs for contraceptive purposes, i.e., to avoid a pregnancy which can aggravate a medical condition.

However, more and more experts (physicians, biologists, pharmacists) question the therapeutic use of progestens available commercially. Evidently, these pills are manufactured and bought for contraceptive purposes (its composition, dosage, mode of use, etc.).