Madam, - Father Phoncie Cullinan's letter of October 22nd, linking the Anglican Church's position on contraception with sexual immorality in general and the homosexual agenda in particular, is quite absurd.
While there is some obvious truth in his assertion that the use of "artificial" contraception breaks the link between sex and procreation it is clear that "natural" contraception also breaks this link and provides fertile couples with the means to be be sexually active without conceiving children.
The proponents of this method make much of its efficacy as a means of birth control. Given that the intention is the same, it is surely dishonest and hypocritical to describe one method as natural family planning and others as contraception.
The mentality of seeing "sex as separate from the bringing [or possible bringing] of children into the world" is judged by this single cleric as being inherently wrong.
Even worse, married couples could be enjoying sex for its own sake! What a dreadful thought.
The scriptures present a balanced perspective on the gift of sex for married couples. Sex enables couples to express and nurture their unity and love, to comfort, to give pleasure and to really enjoy each other. Procreation, though very important, is only one aspect of this gift. Some biblical writings show us just how much God approves of couples enjoying sex:
"Your stature is like that of the palm, and your breasts like the clusters of fruit. I said, 'I will climb the palm tree; I wil take hold of its fruit.' May your breasts be like the clusters of the vine, the fragrance of your breath like apples, and your mouth like the best wine." (Song of Songs.)
How sad it is to see the intimate expressions of marital love exposed to the condemnation of those who have absolutely no basis for their legalistic views in the teaching of Christ. - Yours, etc.,
IAN KENNEDY,
Riverstown Road,
Tramore,
Co Waterford.