So there are some conflicting reports going around and it seems that this 'issue' might as one commentator put it be a 'problem.' Here is an update from Ignatius press website:
(UPDATE: Mark Brumley, President of Ignatius Press writes: "The problem did not originate with the German text--at least not if the Italian translation is based on the same German text as that on which Ignatius Press based its translation. The German text of question 420 asks whether a Christian married couple may regulate the number of children they have. It does not ask whether the couple may use methods of contraception.")This conflicts with the original CNA post that sites and confirms that the 'problem' is in the "original German text" - so the question remains: "Where is the problem?" Is it in the original german or a translation issue that only crops up in the Italian? I am less worried about assigning blame (I am sure others are chomping at the bit on that one) and more interested in finding the 'problem' and figuring out if it will be corrected.
(Original Post):
Terry, from Abbey-Roads, tipped me to a slight problem brewing with the new Youth Cathechism - YouCat.
Apparently some of the foreign translations have been printed with confusing and wrong teachings on contraception. The original was written in German, and I guess the translation to other languages has created some odd language. Here is the relevant part of the story from Ignatius Press' Blog:Catholic News Agency has reported that the Italian edition of YOUCAT (Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church) suggests that "contraceptive methods" can be used by Catholic couples in regulating the size of families. The report says, "Vatican sources who spoke to CNA April 11 on the condition of anonymity speculated that the problem was in the original German text, a fact that was later confirmed by CNA." It further reports: "The English edition, published by Ignatius Press, does not contain the problematic language. It is not yet known if other language versions also contain the same controversial statement on contraception."Apparently the english translations are "OK" - I think the language could have been a little more clear for kids, but again, a lot of this is done on a translation basis, so the balance between continuity and precision is often a battle.
Below are paragraphs 420 and 421 from the English translation of YOUCAT, published by Ignatius Press:420 May a Christian married couple regulate the number of children they have?
Yes, a Christian married couple may and should be responsible in using the gift and privilege of transmitting life. [2368–2369, 2399]
Sometimes social, psychological, and medical conditions are such that in the given circumstances an additional child would be a big, almost superhuman challenge for the couple. Hence there are clear criteria that the married couple must observe: Regulating births, in the first place, must not mean that the couple is avoiding conception as a matter of principle. Second, it must not mean avoiding children for selfish reasons. Third, it must not mean that external coercion is involved (if, for example, the State were to decide how many children a couple could have). Fourth, it must not mean that any and every means may be used.
421 Why are all methods of preventing the conception of a child not equally good?
The Church recommends the refined methods of self-observation and natural family planning (NFP) as methods of deliberately regulating conception. These are in keeping with the dignity of man and woman; they respect the innate laws of the female body; they demand mutual affection and consideration and therefore are a school of love. [2370–2372, 2399]
The Church pays careful attention to the order of nature and sees in it a deep meaning. For her it is therefore not a matter of indifference whether a couple manipulates the woman’s fertility or instead makes use of the natural alternation of fertile and infertile days. It is no accident that Natural Family Planning is called natural: it is ecological, holistic, healthy, and an exercise in partnership. On the other hand, the Church rejects all artificial means of contraception—namely, chemical methods (“the Pill”), mechanical methods (for example, condom, intra-uterine device, or IUD), and surgical methods (sterilization)—since these attempt to separate the sexual act from its procreative potential and block the total self-giving of husband and wife. Such methods can even endanger the woman’s health, have an abortifacient effect (= cause a very early abortion), and in the long run be detrimental to the couple’s love life.
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