Body of evidence.

Having read Professor Susan Ross' reflection on artificial contraception ("Male and female God created them," September), I feel compelled to respond. As a married person, I applaud Ross' recognition of the sensus fidelium (sense of the faithful) in her statement that married couples do in fact offer the church "wisdom greatly worth hearing."

However, I respectfully disagree that the "many" married couples using contraception demonstrate such wisdom. If the love that married couples share in sexual union is truly a reflection of God's love, certainly that love must be open to God's will to transmit life in addition to "sexual delight." Contraception is always anti-life by putting impediments in God's way. Not only that, but many contraceptives are abortive, killing the child if conception does take place, and pose serious health risks for women. This does not sound like a loving or wise option to me.

And I don't think we can discount Natural Family Planning, as if contraception were more effective. Studies show that NFP, if practiced correctly, is 99 percent effective. After taking an NFP class, my wife and I have had consistent success with this method of family planning that is open to life. Rather than being a burden to our marriage, NFP has helped us communicate better, accept shared responsibility, and cultivate chastity.

Furthermore, the teaching of the Second Vatican Council states that we must obey church authority regarding methods of regulating procreation. Since one of the indelible marks that makes us Catholic is our fidelity to the pope and bishops, how is choosing to disobey their teaching the "right" move?

Rob Schroeder

Cincinnati, Ohio

In response to Ross' argument to "rethink" the late Pope John Paul II's theology of the body I'll start by saying I'm no professor of anything, but I'm in touch with my feminine side (as every Catholic male should be) and a father of two girls and one boy. I'm also a loving husband and a catechist at my Catholic church here in South Jersey.

I pray many times a day and read scripture along with other books. After reading Ross' arguments, it seems to me that she lacks a total understanding of the profound message of the theology of the body and needs to reread it. Her specific arguments stem from the fact that she is first a "lifelong feminist, a theologian, and a wife" and lastly a Catholic, since none of her arguments refer to theology but to mere socio-political rhetoric.

Steve Abril

Somers Point, N.J.