The 60-Second Aquinas
Lesson
Contraception and Creation
October 14, 1998
The Church teaches that two main functions of conjugal love are frustrated by contraception: unity and procreation.
Contraception further frustrates the procreative act of God. This argument can be derived from the fact that "the rational soul is produced by God alone," as Aquinas says (CT Ch. 93).
"Since the soul is not composed of matter and form, … it cannot be brought into being except by creation. But God alone can create…" (CT Ch. 93).
When a child is conceived, the man and woman have played a vital role in forming the body of the child, but God has created an immortal soul that is linked to that body until corporeal death.
When a man and woman contracept, they indicate that they are not willing to create a body, but further, they do express a desire to frustrate the creative power of God as well. This is why the Church considers contraception to be a sin. Contraception attempts to give powers to men that are reserved for God.
Explanation of The 60-Second Aquinas Lesson
