A Deeper Dive into the Theology of the Body’ is an online and in-person journey that started in July. Persons interested in St Pope John Paul II’s biblical reflections which offer a total vision of humankind and our vocation to love, are coming to understand that the human body expresses invisible, divine mysteries. We are really spirits contained in flesh. This is part of the foundation for the Theology of the Body (TOB) and this understanding leads us to the awareness that what we do with our bodies matter.

Whilst we are still on this journey with TOB, the news came that the International Planned Parenthood Foundation (IPPF) has a brand-new affiliate in Trinidad. Why is this disturbing? IPPF is known to provide contraception and perform abortion procedures.

The Billings Ovulation Method® (BOM) is not contraception! This may not be the understanding of some, therefore there is a necessity in making this fact clear.

The BOM does assist couples in postponing or avoiding a pregnancy, however to “contracept” means to go against (contra) conception (when sperm and egg meet and forms new life in the Fallopian tube).

The BOM never “goes against” conception, since when couples use the BOM in the act of sexual intercourse, there is nothing done to stop fertility, as with contraceptives such as condoms, pills, injections, intra-uterine devices (IUDs) and even contraception through coitus interruptus (withdrawal).

The BOM was developed in 1953 as an alternative to the Rhythm method, which whilst Rhythm is also non-contraceptive, is not very effective in postponing pregnancy for some couples.

Couples who use the BOM wait for the fertile (baby-making) time of the female menstrual cycle to pass. Fertility or one’s baby-making potential is a gift from God that should be treasured.

Natural Fertility Regulation was developed, scientifically tested and validated because there are serious reasons couples need to postpone a pregnancy, for example, illness of the woman or a family who has little to no income.

The unfortunate truth is that there are some who can abuse Natural Fertility Regulation with “contraceptive-thinking” and avoid pregnancy all the time. This goes against the very principles of why God created us male and female, the two becoming one in marriage and being open to children within their union. When contraception fails, some go on to have an abortion. God’s Fifth Commandment is “You shall not kill” because all human life is sacred (§2258, Catechism of the Catholic Church). Abortion ends a new human life. Abortion is still illegal in Trinidad and Tobago. Why then is there a brand new IPPF affiliate in Trinidad?

In 1983, the IPPF put out a declaration urging affiliates to violate their own countries’ laws and perform illegal abortions: “Family Planning Associations and other non-governmental organizations should not use the absence of a law or the existence of an unfavourable law as an excuse for inaction; action outside the law, and even in violation of it, is part of the process of stimulating change” (usccb.org/prolife). This is outrageous.

There are persons reading this who are perhaps devastated by what they have read, because of past choices made. God is merciful, full of compassion for us sinners who stray away from His way every day and He always calls us back to His loving plan for our lives.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation offers a great healing for the person who is feeling sorry for choices made in the past. There are also organisations that specialise in helping women and men heal emotionally and spiritually after an abortion.

Rachel’s Vineyard is one of those organisations and a retreat is scheduled, for October 21–23. Contact the Eternal Light Community for more details at 645-0525 or elc3171@gmail.com

Contact BOMA-TT: 384-1659,

email: billingstt@gmail.com,

website: www.billingstt.com