Wisconsin group argues Catholics can use contraception in good conscience

Milwaukee, Wis., Dec 4, 2009 / 10:42 am

A Wisconsin group claiming to be Catholic has launched a series of television ads which state that using contraception doesn't make you less of a Catholic. The group, Young Catholics for Choice, has partnered with the Wisconsin Family Planning Health Services and is advocating the use of the controversial morning after pill.

Member of Young Catholics for Choice, Marissa Valeri, told Milwaukee's Fox 6 news, “They may have heard differently from the hierarchy and they may have heard differently from their parish priest and we're here to let them know that they are not alone and that you can be a good Catholic and use contraception.”

She added, “I'm sure there will be some conservative voices out there that will not agree with that we are saying in these ads and we're not speaking to them. We're speaking to the vast majority of Catholics that use contraception and are supportive of emergency contraception and use that as well."

“As a young Catholic myself, Young Catholics for Choice does not speak for me,” said Virginia Zignego, communications director of Pro-Life Wisconsin. “The Catholic Church clearly opposes contraception and abortion. It is unfortunate that Catholics for Choice are using the label ‘Catholic’ to push their agenda and normalize risky sexual behavior.”

Archbishop Jerome Listeki, the new Archbishop of Milwaukee, says there isn't any room for interpretation on the issue of “choice.” He noted that to say one is a Catholic, but also embraces “a position of choice,” denies “an inherent aspect.  He told Fox News, “That inherent aspect is the dignity of the human individual right from the very moment of conception.”

“That strikes at odds with the Church's teachings,” concluded the archbishop.

Young Catholics for Choice presented the “Plan B” pill as “the get it before you need it pill” at this press conference. However, they fail to mention the series of negative affects it has on the woman's body.

Pro-Life Wisconsin cited the FDA website which warns that “Plan B is not designed for frequent use, because of its negative health consequences, which include blood clots and a high risk for ectopic pregnancy.”

The pill itself works by creating a chemical abortion within the woman's body. The morning-after pill “can act to terminate a pregnancy by chemically altering the lining of the uterus (endometrium) so that a newly conceived child (human embryo) is unable to implant in the womb, thus starving and dying,” noted Pro-Life Wisconsin.

“When Young Catholics for Choice and Family Planning Health Services recommend women ‘should have [the morning after pill] on hand before they need it,' women's health is not being respected,” Zignego concluded.