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NFP - A Reference for Priests
Click here for the NFP Method Quick Reference Guide
What is Natural Family Planning?
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is knowledge and observance of a God-created natural cycle of fertility and infertility, used to achieve or avoid pregnancy.
How effective is modern NFP?
When used to postpone pregnancy, modern methods of NFP (not rhythm) have been shown in numerous scientific studies to be over 99% effective. * These include several U.S. and international studies. NFP is also very effective in helping achieve pregnancy.
*Please contact the Office for Marriage,
Family and Life for a list of these studies.
What are the benefits of using NFP?
- promotes communication and intimacy between couples
- free from harmful chemicals, devices and side effects
- easy and inexpensive to learn and use
- strengthens a couple's spiritual bond with God and each other
- provides a valuable health record and diagnostic tool
- fosters virtues that increase ability to communicate chastity to children
- divorce rate of less than 3%
- highly effective, low cost help for infertility
- lasts for a lifetime
What is the difference between NFP and contraception?
Pope John Paul II specifically encourages responsible parenthood, which includes postponing pregnancy for sufficiently serious reasons. The means to achieving that end are fundamentally different between contraception and NFP. Contraception changes the nature of the sexual act, and in doing so, the gift of fertility is attacked and regarded as an obstacle to be overcome. NFP respects fertility as a beautiful and powerful part of sexuality and works within the order God has given our bodies. When postponing pregnancy, the couple collaborates with the Creator of the cycle and merely abstains from sexual intercourse during those times when they would be naturally fertile.
My cycles aren't regular. Can NFP work for me?
Modern NFP assumes every woman is irregular at least some of the time, especially during breastfeeding and premenopause. NFP is science, not guesswork. Modern NFP relies not on the regularity of cycles, but on specific, daily signs of fertility or infertility.
My doctor says NFP doesn't work.
Most medical schools simply do not teach the modern, effective methods of natural family planning. Because NFP is not part of the industry which produces and markets artificial contraceptives, few people have economic incentive to promote it. However, there are a growing number of local physicians certified in modern
NFP methods.
Doesn't NFP require abstinence? Isn't that too much to expect from married couples?
Abstinence is never easy, but it is a normal part of life no matter what method of family planning is used (for example, times of illness, travel, or post-partum). Within marriage, abstinence takes on a special significance when it is chosen out of love and respect for one another in conformity with God's plan. By expressing affection, tenderness and intimacy in other ways a husband and wife affirm to each other that the whole person - body, soul, spirit and intellect are part of and important to the marriage relationship.
If I think contraception is permissible, isn't it alright for me?
A sincere conscience should be followed. But too many mistake what a sincere conscience really is. A Christian conscience is not just about feeling guilty or innocent, but about seeking to live by the truth. A good conscience seeks to do what is really good and true, not just what seems appealing or convenient to me. One who believes that Christ teaches in his Church (Matthew 28:20) seeks to guide his conscience in the light of Catholic teaching.
Theological References for Natural Family Planning
Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae
Pope John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio Articles 13, 32 - 35
Pope John Paul II, Love and Responsibility pp 224 - 244, 278 - 285
Pope John Paul II, The Theology of the Body pp 390- 403, 408 -417
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1643, 1652 - 54, 2349, 2366-72
Hogan and Le Voir, Covenant of Love pp 54- 56, 58 - 60
Strattford Caldecott, "Renaissance through the Family,"
Nazareth Magazine. Spring/Summer 1993 |
