PAPAL MESSAGE ON LIFE AND BIRTH: “WHEN WE SPEAK OF ‘NATURAL’ REGULATION, WE REFER NOT ONLY TO BIOLOGICAL RHYTHM, RATHER WE RESPOND TO THE TRUTH OF THE HUMAN PERSON AS A WHOLE, SPIRIT, PSYCHE AND BODY, A WHOLE WHICH CAN NEVER BE REDUCED TO A MERE UNIT OF BIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS”.

Vatican City (Fides Service) – “Today we see the consolidation of a mentality which on the one hand appears almost to fear the responsibility of procreation and on the other desires to dominate life and manipulate it. Therefore it is urgent to continue with cultural initiatives to help overcome clichés and mystification in this field very often amplified by a certain type of propaganda.” This is a passage from Pope John Paul II’s message to participants at an international convention on "The Culture of Life and Natural Regulation of Birth" taking place in Rome.
In his message the Pope recalls that the Church has always promoted the development of a “culture of responsible parenthood”, and knowledge and diffusion "natural" methods of regulating birth, “to provide ever more solid scientific bases for birth regulation with respect for the human person and for God’s plan for husband and wife and procreation. In recent years thanks to the efforts of numerous Christian spouses all over the world, natural methods have become part of the experience and reflection of pro-family groups, movements and ecclesial associations.”
Today it is necessary to assure married couples, engaged couples, young people, social and pastoral workers information and formation, “which illustrates adequately every aspect of natural regulation of birth its foundation and motivation as well as its practical aspects. Centres of study and education in these methods can offer valid support to responsible parenthood, to ensure that every person, starting with the unborn child, is recognised and respected, and that every decision is inspired and guided by the criteria of sincere gift of self.”
The Pope highlights the task of medical doctors in this delicate field “which concerns the very future of humanity” and he confirms the Church’s esteem “for all in the world of health-care who strive to be coherent with their vocation to be servants of life. I think, in particular, of men and women scientists illuminated by the faith who study and diffuse natural methods of birth control promoting and the same time education to the moral values which are at the basis of recourse to these methods.”
(S.L.) (Fides Service 30/1/2004; lines 27 – words 370)