Books

'Contraception: The Hidden Truth' by Christine de Stoop

Reviewed by Katie Forster

Contents - Apr 2001 - Buy a copy now Editorial: 'If Christ is not risen, then your faith is in vain' - Peter Westmore John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family to open in July 2001 - AD2000 Report News: The Church Around the World Former Townsville Bishop's admissions on liturgy practices - Bishop Raymond Benjamin Is Townsville the model for Ballarat's priest shortage? - Michael Gilchrist Archbishop Curtiss on implementing the theology 'mandatum' - Archbishop Elden Curtiss US parishioners more outspoken about church "renovations" - Zenit News Service Thomas More Centre Summer School 2001: "Building a Culture of Life" - Michael Daniel How to avoid banal, superficial liturgies - Bishop Kevin Manning Rights of unborn are inalienable - Archbishop Barry J. Hickey Tanzania's Father Winfried makes return visit to Australia - Martin Sheehan Letters: Melbourne RE texts (letter) - Barbara Chigwidden Letters: Sponsorship (letter) - Barry O'Brien Letters: Legal action (letter) - Chris Joseph Letters: Inaccuracy (letter) - Fr Michael Kalka PP Letters: Ambiguities (letter) - Valentine Gallagher Letters: ACU Syllabus (letter) - John Kelly Letters: Stations of the Cross (letter) - Charles Bignold Letters: Good responses (letter) - Hyacinth Morel Letters: Dress code (letter) - Raymond de Souza Review Article: A 'silly book' from ACU professor of theology - Frank Mobbs Books: Keeping The Faith: Making a Difference by Wilson D. Miscamble - Michael Daniel (reviewer) JESUS - Jubilee Edition Video - Johanna O'Farrell (reviewer) Books: 'Contraception: The Hidden Truth' by Christine de Stoop - Katie Forster (reviewer) Books: The Apostles' Creed, Defend the Faith and other apologetics topics - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: 'The Atonement Child' by Francine Rivers - Mary-Jane Donnellan (reviewer) Books: The Seven Cities of the Apocalypse, by Roland J. Worth - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Reflection: Giving witness to the Gospel of Life - Rebecca van Rensburg

(Sydney, 2000, 198pp. Inquiries to AD Books)

In the 33 years since Pope Paul VI issued Humanae Vitae, we have seen a massive decline in respect for life. Contraception, abortion and euthanasia are now all accepted in various parts of the world. IVF is widely used and even cloning is being debated.

Pope Paul VI prophesied all these abuses in 1968 in his encyclical, realising that once contraception became commonplace, the slippery slide would continue. He was right.

Contraception: The Hidden Truth does exactly as its title suggests - it reveals the lies and anti-life agenda behind contraception. In a clear, logical question-and-answer format, it demolishes any and all pro-contraceptive arguments.

Christine de Stoop states in her introduction: "I have gathered for clarity of understanding the philosophical, medical, social and theological reasons why contraception is indeed a very grave matter - so that you may come to understand, as I have, the loveless lies of contraception."

De Stoop begins with the natural moral law and how contraception is unnatural and harmful to those who use it. This then leads into the Church- accepted birth control method - Natural Family Planning - with an illuminating explanation on why NFP is Church-approved: NFP remaining passive towards life whereas contraception aggressively prevents it.

Throughout her chapter on Natural Family Planning de Stoop uses repeatedly the beautiful language of love embodied in NFP, while showing how the natural method liberates couples, enabling them to have a totally honest and accepting relationship.

In a following chapter on the social consequences of contraception, statistics show how a contraceptive society harms everyone - men, women and children. People can be viewed in terms of usefulness - wanted or unwanted - leading at times to a "survival of the fittest" mentality.

The next chapter documents the terrible effects contraception can have on healthy women, reason enough for them to reject these 'sexist' and unnecessary drugs. The author also highlights the failure rates of each birth control method.

The final two chapters detail the most harmful effects of contraception - the spiritual consequences. De Stoop explains that Humanae Vitae is not only still valid for us today, but it is also necessary.

Contraception: The Hidden Truth represents a potent challenge to our pro-contraceptive society. It is highly recommended for everyone - those who practise contraception as well as those who do not.

Katie Forster is a Melbourne Catholic writer.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 14 No 3 (April 2001), p. 17