A Canadian non-profit has become a major player in the drive to help women “self-administer abortion at home” through the distribution of abortion pills by mail, all below the radar of Health Canada. 

With the framework of a national pharmacare program launched by the Liberal-NDP coalition, some are finding its initial focus on contraceptives a “deeply troubling” aspect of the deal.

Perhaps you’ve heard some recent rumours and rumblings from Rome about the possibility of the Catholic Church reconsidering, re-looking at, revamping, re-working or redacting Humanae Vitae (Of Human Life), the 1968 encyclical by Pope Paul VI on contraception (synopsis: the document says “no” to contraception).

VATICAN – The Catholic Church teaches that sterilization is morally unacceptable, but a hysterectomy could be morally acceptable if the uterus could not sustain a pregnancy, said the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Is living the teaching of Humanae Vitae regarding the moral means of managing fertility burdensome? Yes, and effective pastoral support for couples who are attempting to do just that — using natural family planning (NFP) rather than contraception — is served by acknowledging that up front. NFP is a burden.

SYDNEY – The widespread use of contraception has led to increased violence and aggression against women, the theologian of the papal household said during a mid-July visit to Sydney.

AMSTERDAM – Despite rumors of its demise, the AIDS pandemic is far from over, and churches must continue to play a critical role in combating the disease, Catholic leaders were told at an international gathering of more than 15,000 AIDS researchers and activists.

Canadian controversy over Humanae Vitae began long before Pope Paul VI issued his controversial encyclical.

MANCHESTER, England – Nearly 500 British priests have signed a statement in support of the papal encyclical that forbade married couples from using contraception.

Next month will mark the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae, the 1968 encyclical of Blessed Paul VI which  reaffirmed the immorality of contraception at a time when many in the Church and the world expected a change.

OTTAWA – Humanae Vitae’s predictions of contraception’s effects proved far worse than Pope Paul VI’s prophetic vision, said speakers at an event marking the document’s 50th anniversary.

Here we go again. Development and Peace, an organization created by Canada’s bishops, is back on the hot seat over allegations it failed to properly screen some overseas partners. At least 11 dioceses have withheld funds from the organization after suggestions that several of its partner agencies are offside on issues that include abortion, contraception and gender theory. 

Twelve Canadian bishops, including Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto, are withholding contributions to the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace following preliminary research that indicates some of the Catholic agency’s partners may be connected to abortion or artificial contraception.

WASHINGTON – The Catholic Church's teaching on marriage, abortion, human sexuality and contraception is rooted in the same respect for human dignity that guides its work for social justice and care for poor people, Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput told a Catholic University of America audience.

The Little Sisters of the Poor are returning to court to defend their exemption from the U.S. federal mandate that requires them to offer an employee health plan covering contraception, sterilizations and some drugs that can cause early abortions.