Poll says Catholic doctors support birth control, homosexuality,

[The Straight Story]

Poll says Catholic doctors support birth control, homosexuality, not embryonic stem-cell research

New York, May. 05, 2005 (CNA) - A new study indicates that a majority of doctors, who identify themselves as Catholic, support birth control, homosexuality and the distribution of condoms, but they oppose embryonic stem-cell research, reported the Long Island Press.

The study shows that 87 percent of Catholic doctors responded that they would prescribe birth control pills when medically appropriate. Ninety percent support the distribution of condoms in developing countries. Half of Catholic doctors say a homosexual lifestyle is “morally acceptable.”

Among their Protestant cohorts, 45 percent (non-Baptist) say homosexuality is morally acceptable and only 10 percent of Baptists say the same.

However, when it comes to embryonic stem-cell research, only 27 percent of Catholic doctors support it, compared with the overall 49 percent.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=3818

[HockeyMom]

1. Catholic doctors

My OB/GYN was a Catholic, my sister-in-law's, couple of my friend's, and now my nieces. They all seemed to have no problem prescribing birth control pills.

Actually, before we were married 30 years ago we had to go to the marriage counseling sessions with a Priest. I will never forget that. The priest back then was young - not much older than 30. When he got to the part about the church's teaching about artificial birth control he said to us, and I do remember his quote, "Now, I am required to tell you this (wink, wink), the church teaches that the Pill is immoral (wink, wink), etc., etc., (and a few more winks)" He looked as if he almost could not suppress a laugh. We both walked out of there laughing ourselves. As my husband said at the time, "Cool Priest". lol

[seventythree]

2. Here's my pre cana story

We also had a young priest, but he was not so cool. This was 35 years ago, almost 36. When he got to that part, I told him that I intended to use the birth contol pill -- heck, I already was. We were in our second year of college, poor kids who had to make our own way, and my husband had plans on becoming a doctor -- we simply couldn't afford children at that time. He was none too pleased because I refused to lie (I'm not Catholic -- hubby is). We had to get a special dispensation from the Bishop to marry as a result, and we had to sign a paper saying we did not think that the use of birth control was a restriction on our love.

As for docs, my mom had a Catholic gp. When my sister was born, 1960, my mom had complications and he wasn't so sure both would make it. He told my Dad that if a choice had to be made, the baby would be the one to be saved. Luckily, all went ok, and both were fine, but my Dad about croaked. I remember him saying, "How in the hell am I going to raise two girls by myself, and a baby to boot?"