Melinda Gates challenges Vatican by vowing to improve contraception
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The billionaire philanthropist Melinda Gates, a practising Catholic, has thrown down the gauntlet to the Vatican and vowed to dedicate the rest of her life to improving access to contraception across the globe.
Gates, who with her husband, Bill, the founder of Microsoft, is one of the world’s biggest players on development issues, predicted that women in Africa and Asia would soon be “voting with their feet”, as women in the west have done, and would ignore the church’s ban on artificial birth control.
Gates, who was a speaker at the London Summit on Family Planning organised by her foundation in conjunction with the UK government and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), said that since she announced her new direction a few weeks ago she had been inundated with messages of support from Catholic women, including nuns.
“A church is made up of its members, and one of the things this campaign might do is help women speak out. I’ve had thousands of women come on to websites and say” ‘I’m a Catholic, but I believe in contraception.’ It’s going to be women voting with their feet.”
Gates said that in the west the bishops said one thing, but ordinary Catholics did another. “In my country 82% of Catholics say contraception is morally acceptable. So let the women in Africa decide. The choice is up to them.”
She admitted, though, that she had agonised over whether to speak out in defiance of the church hierarchy. “Of course I wrestled with this. As a Catholic I believe in this religion, there are amazing things about this religion, amazing moral teachings that I do believe in, but I also have to think about how we keep women alive. I believe in not letting women die, I believe in not letting babies die, and to me that’s more important than arguing about what method of contraception [is right].” [more]
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44 Comments
The discussions on this site would be a lot more interesting if Jim simply went away with his dogmatic opinions and absolute certainty. He clearly has no doubts whatsoever and knows precisely what is true and what is not. I can’t deny him his right to hide in this web of “certainty”, but we would all be better off if the discussion on this website could be raised to a more adult and intelligent level, instead of debating meaningless points with him.
Pope John XXIII referred to some people as “prophets of doom.”. I often think of that when I read some of the posts on this site.
Rob — I don’t hold or advance “dogmatic opinions” — what I do hold and advance is the dogma of the Catholic Church. Obviously, you reserve the right to disagree with the Magisterium, the infallible teachings of the Church. You are not Catholic, and this is — or at least is suppposed to be — a Catholic website. One would think that we could discuss news in light of the inerrant Magisterium, but instead you and others want to turn this site into a place to debate Church dogma. When you die, BTW Rob, I don’t think God will tolerate any debate from you or anyone else. How grossly foolish you are. And, if that is being a “prophet of doom” — well, if I tell you the bridge up ahead is out, and you call me a prophet of doom, so be it.
When I come to this site I come for news about the Church, how the news resonates in the minds and lives of the average “Joe” Catholic.
Not some oen who knows how to quote infallible teachings and what the magisteirums says.
And yeah a good healthy debate of the teachings of the church which have in the past been in error. Witness the debate of Gallileo.
And with regard to “debating meaningless points” — so, I guess that means issues of contraception, homosexuality, ordination of women, and other issues on which Church teaching is clear are “meaningless.” Rob, your senseless mind has become darkened because you have become vain in your reasoning (Romans 1:21).
Rob — here is Wisdom 2:12 – 16 — see if this rings any bells for you: “Let us lie in wait for the righteous one, because he is annoying to us;
he opposes our actions,
reproaches us for transgressions of the law
and charges us with violations of our training. He professes to have knowledge of God
and styles himself a child of the LORD. To us he is the censure of our thoughts; merely to see him is a hardship for us, because his life is not like that of others, and different are his ways. He judges us debased; he holds aloof from our paths as from things impure. He calls blest the destiny of the righteous and boasts that God is his Father.”
Rob and Mr. Warren — if you didn’t notice, this is a CATHOLIC blog, not a blog for agnostics or those who wish to debate the Magisterium. God allows us a free will — this, of course, explains how some people will themselves to Hell — so you are free to disbelieve the truth. However, one would think that on a Catholic website, tolerance for Catholic doctrine not only would be the norm, but it would be expected. What I have found instead is that the majority of posters not only disagree with the Church, but they consistently point to the errors of the Church (the sexual scandals). Why you would find my positions lacking is ridiculous. And gentlemen, if you think I am the only one who clings to Magisterial teachings, you obviously are hanging out with the wrong crowd. Here’s what Psalm 1:1 says about that: “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in company with scoffers.”
This is a great site for reading the news and events of the Church and “churchy” people. I am grateful for the comment sections in which I am free to express my thoughts, how the news or stories resonate with me in my life and how they resonate in the lives of others in the church.
I know where I can get a cathechism if i want it or and other official church teachings if I want it. And I don’t want it here.
Fair enough, Mr. Warren. However, just as you are “grateful for the comment sections in which I am free to express my thoughts,” I too will use that opportunity to express my thoughts — which differ from yours. If you want to continue to freely express yourself, you must allow the same to others who hold differing views.
Yes of course all should be free to expess his or her comments, what I don’t care for are the judgemental finger pointing and name calling of others.
Thank you, Mr. Warren — so I am sure then that you will come to my defense when I am called names. I have been called everything imaginable on this site, such as “closeted homosexual” and “psycho.” I’m sure you object to those insults being hurled at me.
I don’t care for any name calling period.
Thank you, Mr. Warren.
YOU GO GIRL!!! Sick and tired of men in the so “called church” sodomizing and abusing boys but they get to stay in the society. Women need to take charge and also educate abstinence as well as having informed decisions of medical intervention.
Wow — and here we have it — blatant female chauvenism. Do you really believe God created women superior to men, Aly? If so, I pity any man with whom you are involved — but, if my guess is correct, you are not involved with any man.
Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born I consecreated you. If I belivee that my God is the Creator and I am a co-creator, why would I be concerned about having a large family?? Whould my God not give me the graces needed to raise my children? For me I either believe or I do not believe, I either put my trust in God or I do not put my trust in God. Perhaps this is to simple for most people but my God has never failed me..
I have a great deal of respect for Melinda, who is attempting to solve very significant problems that most are not even aware of. God Bless her in her efforts.
Let’s see — should I listen to Melinda Gates, or should I listen to those to whom authority has been delegated by the Man Who raised Himself from the dead? Tough decision, tough decision … but, hmmm, now that I think further about it, I doubt Melinda is going to raise herself from the dead. Actually, I hope she makes it to Heaven, rather than spending an ETERNITY in hell-fire.
The gospel this past Sunday talked about people rejectng what Jesus had to say because he didn’t possess the proper credentials. Unlike the religious authorities of the day, Jesus “the carpenter, the son of Mary,” seemed to be speaking on his own authority. They failed to recognize that sometimes the religious authorities get it wrong, and that God’s word actually comes through those who give “offense” (as the gospel puts it). Thankfully none of us would ever make that mistake today!
And here is a portion from today’s Gospel, from Matthew chapter ten, verses 12 – 15: “As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words — go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.” Wow, bring it, Jesus! You have instructed your apostles to abandon those who continuously reject Your Truth, as rendered to us through your infallible Magisterium of Your Church, the Roman Cathlolic Church, led by the all-male Vatican hierarchy!
At some point — probably in the near future — I will abandon this website, and “shake the dust from (my) feet”, as I will have said all that needs to be (or can be) said. But first, I’m waiting for Dr. Sarah’s response. Others are lost causes.
Oh Jim, please feel free to abandon this site!! I so look forward to your leaving, and I am sure many others do also. Thanks in advance for departing, and don’t let the door hit you in the behind as you leave!
That hurt my feelings, almondwoodturner.
Do you have feelings Jim? We/I know you have opinions, anger, resentment and an awful lot of intolerance of the feelings and honest opinions of those who disagree with you and your magesterial interpretations of important issues in peoples`lives. You seem to favour banishing most of us to “hell for all eternity”…..OUCH!
Not at all true, Noel. I am well aware of what Jesus said: “It is not the Father’s Will that even one person be lost” — as well as the fact that there is more rejoicing in Heaven for one repentant sinner than for 99 who never left the fold. I wish Hell on no one — not Saddam Hussein, not you, not Melinda Gates — no one. But, I don’t make the decision — Jesus does. And Matthew 7:13-14 should give anyone great pause in considering where they are headed. Jesus specifically said that MANY take the broad road to perdition, and FEW go through the narrow gate. I personally believe the majority of people go to Heaven, but I don’t know that for sure — and if even one person were lost, that would be one person too many. If you (and I) make it to Heaven, Noel, I’ll buy you a glass of good wine — and I promise you I won’t tell you “I told you so.” But, in the perfection of Heaven, it will be obvious who was right and who was wrong. I am not interested in being right anywhere near as much as I am interested in helping others who are lost.
Sorry Jim; but I need to remind you that the “Truth” is not always welcome, but as Catholic Christians we must continue to tell it.
Even the church does not speak of an “infallible Magisterium,” but of a clearly circumscribed set of infallible teachings.
The quest for certainty is both common and strong. In its pursuit we can make errors of judgment and errors of fact. It often blinds us to other sources of light which might challenge what we (sometimes erroneously) hold to be certain. To enlarge and deepen our thinking, it is often helpful to surrender the ideal of certainty and adopt the more human quest for deeper understanding. That is, after all, the essence of theology (faith seeking understanding).
But this is not an easy transition to make, given the comfort that “certainty” provides. Often people who are both smart and good can become careless in their thinking, rationalize their conclusions, and even adopt a less-than-charitable spirit towards their brothers and sisters who might have different insights to offer. Jesus encountered this all the time and the phenomenon has not gone away. The evidence is quite abundant and speaks for itself.
Tony — while not everything is infallible teaching, many things are, including things that are routinely debated on this blog. For example, contraception was determined (again) to be immoral by a commission set up to study the issue by Paul VI. Homosexual sex will NEVER be morally licit (nor will any sex out of wedlock ever be acceptable). Female ordination was settled for all time by JP II. With regard to celibacy of the priesthood, I am aware that early in the Church it was not required; and thus, this potentially could change in the future. But, I hope it does not — being married for many years, and knowing many married couples, I am certain in the vast majority of cases having a wife and children would definitely get in the way of priestly ministry.
Great Comment Tony – you have put this so well -
i absolutely agree with your comments – Jesus’ message was so simple; one of love for God, our neighbour and ourselves yet so easy to get all wound up in rules and sub-rules that seem to fuel hate and anger.
Melinda Gates message is a message of love for women and their children and in turn for God
So Jenny, what if my ill-formed conscience tells me that I can best love myself by being unfaithful to my wife? How “simple” and how such behavior would reflect not “getting wound up in rules and subrules that seem to fuel hate and anger.” Wow, how short-sighted thee be.
I think t was St Therese who said, love God and do as you please. In other words if you concentrate on loving God doing the right thing will flow into every action.
But again, Warren, Jesus said, “IF you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Therefore, if we do not keep His commandments — including those relating to the use of our sexuality — by definition we do not love Him. Thus, we are violating what St. Therese told us to do.
But if a gay guy loves his boy friend and they commit to each other and remain faithful, then they are doing what Jesus ants. A gay guy can only love another guy.
That’s ridiculous, Warren. Even IF homosexuality was not a choice (it is in part a choice), it would still be wrong. If I was born violent, being violent is still wrong, and Jesus would not be in favor of it. Regardless, no expert believes homosexuality is inexorable; i.e., there has never been found any behavior (e.g., alcohlism, bipolar disorder, homosexuality, etc.) that is not influenced by a person’s experience and by the person’s choices.
addendum: given our sinfulness, it is very very easy for any of us to deceive ourselves. “Oh I love God, and my use of pornography is no big deal — or my use of contraception — or my masturbation — or my homosexual sex.” It is enormously naive to assume loving God automatically leads to us doing the right thing. Having the behavioral guidelines God has given us, especially with regard to sexuality, gives us an objective index of the extent to which we actually love God. Talk (and internal talk to ourselves about how much we love God) is cheap; behavior tells the story.
I believe that as long as a persons basic orientation is towards God he won’t offend God even if some of the human acts he does maybe objectively wrong
This conversation is scary. She is not buying God or the Church just acting on what her own prayer and heart are moving her to do. Remeber The protestant revolution spoke against the Church 500 years ago and today the churches are separated by very little.
Lets support women and protect their basic rights. That is the message of love.
It is the woman carries the baby to term it is her choice whether to get pregnant or not.
Supporting women means giving them the truth — that they become unattractive to men (via pheromones) when they take hormonal contraceptives, and that sometimes the contraceptive does not stop ovulation, but rather induces the miscarriage (abortion) of a fertilized egg, as the uterine lining will not allow it to attach.
Glad to hear you don’t want to kill babies, Eileen — so, that means you won’t be recommending hormonal contraceptives for women, as at times they do not surpress ovulation, but rather they act by not allowing the uterine lining to accept the fertilized blastocyst. This information typically appears on the papers that come with the contraceptives, but it is an absolutely established fact — it is not opinion.
Billions of dollars will no help Melinda Gates on Judgement Day. You can’t buy God. Christ has spoken through His Church about “The Way,” i.e, God’s intention on how human beings are to act in obedience to Him. Melinda is not God and he money will come back to bite her one of these days.
Keep on keeping on, Michael. I had breakfast this morning with a man who is quite devout in his faith, just like you. It is so refreshing to relate to such individuals — I respect them deeply. Unfortunatly, there are so many cafeteria Catholics who, blinded by their own sin, deem themselves to be Catholics in good standing. They should read Romans chapter one to see what God does to those who consistently turn their back on Him.
Thank you, Melinda! We will be called cafeteria Catholics but it’s time to come out of the closet on this issue! We don’t want to kill babies we want to avoid having a larger family than we can handle financially, physically, and emotionally. Rome has little experience with the world outside their walls!
Eileen — here’s one absolutely fool-proof way of limiting family size: DON’T HAVE SEX DURING FERTILE PERIODS! Wow, to think some people would have to give up sex for close to a week — that just may be too much to ask our indulged, spoiled countrymen.