Birth Control & Marriage

[Anfechtung]

I am a Roman Catholic who is considering going to an Episcopal Church and possibly converting. I have been struggling with Catholic Church teaching on the use of birth control and the purpose of Christian marriage. From what I understand and read in the Catechism of the Catholic church, the main purpose of marriage is for procreation, and if I am using birth control to avoid having children I am committing a great sin. My husband and I are not sure if we ever want to have children. What is the Episcopal Church's belief about birth control, or put another way, would my marriage be considered valid if we never had a child? I had read that my Catholic marriage is not seen as valid in the Catholic Church because I am using birth control. Many have said in Catholic Discussion Forums that I should not present myself for Communion. Words cannot express how sad this makes me. Any information would be helpful...

[srigdon]

You might take a look at the list at

www.iamepiscopalian.org/

where it says

"We affirm that issues such as birth control are matters of personal informed conscience."

From the church liturgy on marriage, p. 423 of the Book of Common Prayer:

"The union of a husband and wife in heart, body and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord."

I don't think I've ever met anybody in the Episcopal Church who thinks birth control is a sin. I don't know if I've ever heard the issue discussed in a church setting.

Hope this helps.