Why doesn't the Catholic hierarchy aggressively preach/teach/exhort its members to abandon "artificial" birth control?
First a disclaimer, I haven't attended church regularly over the past few years, but I was a regular Roman Catholic who attended mass, sang in the choir and was if not a devout at least a "practicing" Catholic.
In reflecting about the Catholic Bishops' outrage over the Obama administration's inclusion of contraception in the "basic" portion of health insurance something struck me as interesting. The church has had "policies" and "teachings" opposed to artificial birth control for as long as I can remember, yet it was extremely rare to ever hear anything about it from the pulpit or in letters from the bishop. We'd hear an annual (or in some parishes more frequent) "pro-life" homily and or letter. However as far as contraception went, nothing. Perhaps there might be a note in the bulletin about a "natural family planning" (rhythm) class somewhere, but I can't remember the church challenging its "faithful" on the issue of "artificial birth control."
Perhaps I'm forgetting some of this, but I honestly don't ever recall a priest devoting any time to explaining the church prohibition or exhorting us to abandon our sinful birth control. If this is such a key religious issue, why are those sitting in the pews not being held to it? Could it be that the bishops and priests understand that if they were to make TOO big a deal about this teaching, the people would leave or reduce their contributions? Or could it be that they realize the policy is outdated and they just decide to look the other way. I don't know and I don't like ascribing motives to others, but the current "outrage" puzzles me.
I guess the point I'm trying to get to is that the church should deal with its own members before it attempts to enforce its beliefs on others. If this is such a big deal, why is it not a litmus test for receiving communion and being considered a true practicing Catholic? Why is widespread non-compliance with such a key moral issue ignored? Conversely, if it's not worth fighting this battle with the "faithful" why is it worth fighting with the administration.
As an aside, it's my understanding that the Catholic bishops have issued numerous letters on social policy, protection for the poor, opposition to wars, protection of workers and union rights. Yet I'm puzzled that these letters are not read from the pulpit. These are not the issues which the bishops exhort their members to write to congress about or publicly condemn the administration. No - it's sexual issues that always seem to be their main concern.
Sorry this is not a more coherent diary - It's only my second diary in many years lurking. Perhaps I should have just put it in an open thread or a comment on another diary. Thanks for your patience with me.