Introduction
The series of modules pertaining to this seminar rearranges in didactic form part of the material contained in two presentations by Mons. Suaudeau, Scientific Director of the Pontifical Academy for Life, on the contraception-abortion nexus. Mons. Suaudeau was kind enough to revise these modules and to complete them with answers to the additional questions we put to him.
The links between contraception and abortion are varied. To begin with, they are inscribed in the very technique of “contraception”. Insofar as what is called “contraception” prevents, not fertilization nor conception, but rather the nidation of an embryo in the mother’s uterus, “contraception” becomes abortive. As this seminar will show, it is in fact the case - in varying degrees - of a number of the most widely used contraceptive methods.
Other techniques, also called “contraceptive”, are abortive by causing the elimination of the embryo barely implanted in the uterus.
Contraception and abortion are semantically linked, as a single word, “contraception”, covers two distinct realities, thus creating a misleading ambivalence.
Finally, a common mentality links contraception and abortion: in both cases, the child is seen as an enemy to be fought, and abortion tends to appear as the only solution should contraception fail to work.
This seminar starts by clarifying the definitions of the terms we will use and by highlighting the ambivalence inherent to some of them. It goes on to explain how the different types of modern ‘contraceptive’ methods work, and shows how and when they become abortive. After outlining the history of contraception, the seminar presents the main arguments used by the promoters of contraception, as well as the response we can give to these arguments according to the law inscribed in the heart of every human being. One module is dedicated to the use of contraception for population control purposes in developing countries. After describing what contraceptive mentality is, the seminar provides a brief overview of the teachings of the Catholic Church regarding contraception. Lastly, Mons. Suaudeau gives his conclusions.
In appendix, you will find two fact sheets that should be kept at hand throughout the seminar: one contains a lexicon of its key words, and the other explains the pregnancy process.
There is still widespread ignorance on the reality of contraception and on its abortive character. We hope these modules will help overcome it.
Unless another source is specified, the texts that should be attributed to Mons. Suaudeau are indicated in quotation marks in the modules. We are deeply grateful to Mons. Suaudeau for putting his knowledge to good use at the benefit of our education.