Natural family planning and Humanae vitae 2006.

Ottawa -- Following this year's ninth annual March for Life (C.I., July/August 2006, p. 40), about 300 people gathered at Ottawa's Lansdowne Place for the May 12-14 Humanae vitae 2006 conference. Thus was formed a microcosm of the worldwide natural family planning movement: married couples testifying to the graces received through openness to God's will; priests offering liturgies of healing and celebration; singles enthusiastically sharing their gifts; theologians and a legendary philosopher contributing wit and wisdom; teachers and doctors sharing the good news about the life-changing medical application of Naprotechnology (see C.I., January 2006, p. 37-38).

The conference, titled A New Beginning, was hosted by The Rosarium, the Canadian Catholic movement which holds contraception to be the foundation of the contemporary moral crisis. Catholic Insight has always enjoyed close ties with The Rosarium; indeed, only one visitor to our booth acknowledged not knowing the magazine, and most who stopped to chat were already subscribers.

The conference attendees were largely opposed to contraception and committed to NFP: most of them are already using it in their daily lives and/or working to spread its use. There was great interest in Monsignor Vincent Foy's writings, such as Birth Control." Is Canada out of step with Rome? Most people participating in the conference are longing for the day when the Winnipeg Statement of the Canadian bishops will be formally overturned by the CCCB. A major goal of The Rosarium is to have it retracted, but discussion was disallowed as a speaker topic as a condition for Archbishop Marcel Gervais' approval for the gathering; therefore, attendees could only broach the subject when it resulted from questions from the floor or in private conversations. (Meanwhile, throughout Canada and many other countries, the authentic teaching of Humanae vitae has been restored by the teachings of Pope John Paul II.)

Given that restriction, the conference became more contemplative and subdued than it otherwise might have been. Still, those in the trenches of the NFP lifestyle, who constantly face criticisms and obstacles from the secular world, are glad for such opportunities for refreshment and renewal. Attendees had access to daily Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, confession, and glorious praise and worship music. It became clear that before one can expect the conversion of our country, each is called to deeper conversion in our own lives and ever more faithful witness through the exercise of our respective vocations.

Participants were challenged by a recurring theme of joyful sacrifice. We are to join the meaning of our human sexuality to the gift of Christ to the Church, as manifest in the Blessed Sacrament and liturgies. Pre-eminent philosopher Janet Smith explained that all of us, no matter our state in life, are called to some type of spousal union: the husband and wife, with one another; the priest, with the Church; the single person, with his or her calling to service. Theologian Steve Kellmeyer distinguished the culture of death, which says, "I'll sacrifice you for my benefit," from the culture of life, which says, "I'D sacrifice myself for your benefit."