Contraception
Library
- Truth & Consequence - A Look behind the Vatican's Ban on Contraception
2008, 28 pp.
On the eve of the pope's visit, Catholics for Choice released a publication examining the impact of 40 years of Humanae Vitae, the Vatican document that cemented the ban on contraception. Widely acknowledged as a defining moment in modern church history, Humanae Vitae became a source of great conflict and division in the church.
The entire text of Truth & Consequence is available online in a new, easy-to-browse version.
Read the publication here, or click on the cover image above.
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- In Good Conscience: Respecting the Beliefs of Health-Care Providers and the Needs of Patients [PDF]
2008, 16 pp.
This pamphlet has been written to give a brief overview of some of the key themes in the debate on refusal/conscience clauses: how conscience clauses evolved; Catholic teachings on conscience; and how the concept of conscience has been manipulated, especially within the context of reproductive health and rights. We hope that it will be useful for those who have an interest in health care ethics, those who may be negotiating conscience clauses in their own institutions and states as well as for those who may be considering their own positions on conscience clauses.
- The Facts Tell the Story: Catholics and Contraception [PDF]
2006, 2 pp.
Do Catholics support the use of contraception? This new brochure surveys public opinion data and polls to show that Catholics practice and support the use of contraception at the same rates as non-Catholics. - A World View: Catholic Attitudes on Sexual Behavior and Reproductive Health [PDF]
2004, 28 pp.
- Also available in Spanish
An indispensable report that provides opinion data, demographical information and behaviors of Catholics from dozens of countries around the world. While the institutional Roman Catholic church - at the global, national and local levels - exerts substantial influence on public policy and even medical practices in reproductive health, the data reveal that the policies advocated by the pope and bishops do not reflect the diversity of attitudes and practices among Catholic people themselves. On contraception, abortion, condoms for HIV-prevention and other matters of family life, Catholic attitudes and behavior often clash with church teaching.
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Attitudes of Catholics on Reproductive Rights, Church-State & Related Issues: Three National Surveys in Bolivia, Colombia & Mexico (The Latin America Poll) [PDF]
2004, 45 pp.
- Also available in Spanish
Three national surveys in Bolivia, Colombia and Mexico that reveal the attitudes of Catholics on priorities for the church, the role of the church in political affairs, sexual and reproductive health and rights, sexual abuse and more.
- You Can't Always Get What You Need: A Woman's Guide to Catholic Health Care [PDF]
2003, 43 pp.
A woman's guide to Catholic health care. You Can't Always Get What You Need provides information on the services provided and denied by Catholic hospitals, HMOs and other health care providers. - Second Chance Denied: Emergency Contraception in Catholic Hospital Emergency Rooms [PDF]
2002, 24 pp.
An examination of the impact of the Religious and Ethical Directives, the bishops' guidelines for Catholic health care providers, on the availability of emergency contraception in Catholic hospitals. Conducted by Ibis Reproductive Health, this survey assessed whether Catholic emergency rooms provided EC at all, under what circumstances it was provided and if non-providing ERs would refer women to other providers who could deliver EC within the 72-hour period in which it is most likely to be effective. - A Matter of Conscience: Catholics on Contraception [PDF]
2000, 5 pp.
Prominent Catholics explain their support for contraception.