The Roman Catholic Church is run by men meant to be celibate. Yet Jesus did not lecture his followers on the subject of birth control, contraception, or abortion. Indeed, the prohibition on abortion became part of the Catholic teachings only some hundred years ago. In a world threatened with extinction because of overpopulation, the pope continues to exhort people to have more babies.
In Dublin, Ireland, I saw a scene that I think illustrates contemporary Catholic tradition: a young, unkempt woman looking harassed, staggered along in high heels, carrying a screaming toddler, followed by a husband pushing a pram containing a tiny infant, and, in their wake, six other young children of various sizes and ages. Abortion remains illegal in Ireland. However, contraception was progressively legalized in 1979 and 1984, and it is now fully legal. Moreover, Mary Robinson, who believes in birth control, abortion, and divorce, was elected president of Ireland in 1990, and she helped to create political change with regard to these important issues. Divorce is now legal.
It is clear that the reproductive policies of certain religions are out of date, if life on Earth is to continue. . . . It is beyond time for women to assume leading roles in the Earth’s representative religions and to establish new and more appropriate spiritual organizations. I do not make this statement lightly, but with a sense of gravity and urgency.
(Quoted from page 149 of If You Love This Planet: A Plan To Heal The Earth, by Helen Caldicott. W.W. Norton & Co., 2009.)
For a brief biography of Helen Caldicott, click here. For images of and relating to Helen Caldicott, click here. For images of and relating to one of the gangs whose policies are mightily contributing to global warming and the loss of wilderness, click here.
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