Phoenix Catholic Bishop Thomas Olmsted in a recent series of articles wrote "the use of contraceptives is always morally evil" and might result in "harmful side effects," adding that people should attend courses on natural family planning before getting married, the AP/Fargo Forum reports. According to the AP/Forum, Olmsted is one of three bishops in the country to require a set of classes on natural family planning for those who wish to marry in the church (AP/Fargo Forum, 1/9). Under Catholic doctrine, birth control and condoms are prohibited but natural family planning practices are allowed (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 11/28/05). Surveys since 1968 -- when the church first issued a declaration denouncing birth control -- say nine out of 10 Catholic women have used contraceptive pills and 65% of Catholics and 40% of priests are not opposed to birth control. Peggy Frei, head of the Phoenix-based diocese's Natural Family Planning Center, said the number of women using natural family planning is unknown; however, she added that, based on anecdotal evidence, couples who have completed the courses are happier and healthier. The American Academy of Family Physicians said natural family planning can be 90% to 98% effective when used diligently -- a rate comparable to the contraceptive pill's efficacy rates -- but it sometimes can be less effective in practice. Ingrid Haas, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based obstetrician and gynecologist, said natural family planning is effective "only if the woman has regular cycles." She added that the argument that contraceptives cause long-term side effects has been disproved (Clancy, Arizona Republic, 1/9).

Pope Condemns 'Culture of Death'
In related news, Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday while conducting his first baptisms as pope strayed from a prepared sermon to condemn what he called a "culture of death," Reuters reports. Although the pope did not define "culture of death," the term was used by Pope John Paul II when talking about abortion and artificial birth control. Benedict said, "(There is) an anti-culture ... displayed in sexuality, which has become pure pleasure devoid of responsibility" (Balmer, Reuters, 1/8).

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