Family planning a viable choice

Sydney
24 March 2002

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Family planning a viable choice

Natural family planning – no longer a recipe for a footy team-sized brood

By Marilyn Kerjean

Beyond beer, babes and the BBQ – male sexuality will be one of the topics discussed at an upcoming seminar for young adults interested in learning about Church teaching on sex and the latest method of natural family planning.

The seminar, entitled Sexuality in the New Millennium, has been organised by Natural Family Planning Services Sydney with a committee of young Catholic adults who approached them two years ago asking for their information to be made more widely available.

Aimed at those in their mid- to late- 20s, but open to anyone, the seminar will be held at Our Lady of Lebanon church hall, Harris Park, on Saturday, April 13.

Fr Anthony Fisher OP, director of the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and the Family in Melbourne; Anna Krohn, a lecturer in bioethics and sexuality at the institute; Fr Peter Quinn SJ, parish priest of St Mary’s, North Sydney; and Fr Gerald Gleeson, of the Catholic Institute of Sydney and the Plunkett Centre for Ethics in Health Care, will present the keynote addresses in the morning.

A range of issues surrounding sexuality from the perspective of the Catholic Church will be covered, including male and female sexuality, marriage, and science and sexuality.

The seminar is designed to promote conversation among young adults about fertility, relationships and the theology of the body.

In the afternoon, optional workshops will be led by Dr Tracey Rowland, dean of the Marriage and Ethics Institute; Prof John Collins, co-ordinator of Centacare’s marriage education program; Fr Peter Maher and Julie Kelly, who provide post-abortion support through Project Rachel; chastity group True Love Waits; and Francine and Byron Pirola of Celebrate Love.

The final workshop, run by Natural Family Planning Services Sydney, will introduce the Church-approved method of natural family planning.

“No one talks about natural family planning; it must be taught so people can make an informed and conscious decision (about fertility control),” says Evelyn Brien, program manager of Natural Family Services Sydney, which also includes the Parramatta diocese.

Many people don’t realise that natural family planning is as useful for trying to fall pregnant as for trying to avoid pregnancy, Mrs Brien says.

For people who translate ‘natural family planning’ to Catholic footy team-sized broods, it’s time for a reassessment.

“People have got bad memories of the rhythm method … and images of people with 12 kids,” she says.

“But it’s changed from the rhythm method.

“It’s an effective and viable choice these days, and a healthy choice.

“It is 98 per cent effective with the sympto-thermal method of natural family planning, which we teach,” she says.

She added that roughly half of the Family Planning Services clients are non-Catholics looking for a natural method of fertility control.

Early registration cost is $10 (includes morning and afternoon tea and lunch) Early registrations close March 31. Registering on the day, between 9am and 9.30am will cost $15. Tel. 9390 5156 or 9630 7404