What is scriptural basis for the Church's condemnation of birth control and abortion?

Given the horrible history of the Catholic church, no institution should call itself catholic.

the witch torture, burnings and inquisitions.
the crusades against the arabs that gave them the hatred of the west.

The hatred of Jews. Part of why 6 million were assembly line murdered in WWII by a catholic named Hitler - who often spoke of God and Providence being on his side.

The endless abuse of children which the church hid for decades.

We tried to get excommunicated, we couldn't. So we solve the problem by telling the church we had divorced in another state.

And glory to God, they severed our ties with them. We are so happy these days now we are Episcopals.

A church whose central them is grace, not guilt to control.

Notre Dame's bishop (the newly appointed Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades) could certainly remove Notre Dame from the directory of Catholic colleges and universities, as Bishop D'Arcy could have during his long tenure. (I believe Notre Dame could still call itself Catholic with impunity.) But this is the nuclear option never exercised except in the most extreme cases, so far only with respect to a handful of small institutions so far gone that they didn't care. And while Notre Dame no longer deserves its reputation as a robustly Catholic school, why should it be ostracized ahead of Georgetown or just about all of the major Catholic universities (except Catholic University)? It is a fair, but unrealistic, question whether all of them should be written off.
The bishops, if they are to regain an effective voice in Catholic higher education, must devise a new procedure. Establishing a cordial relationship is largely bootless. Bishops have no authority and no influence over the matters that really count -- whether there are a predominant number of genuine Catholics on the faculty and whether the curriculum is designed to furnish a Catholic education.
But they could evaluate the Catholicity of an institution and provide the laity a "report card." This would give them leverage and will be an invaluable service to parents in selecting an institution. These schools are subject to rating by secular organizations. Why not by the Church?
The bishops might also be able to encourage the establishment of Catholic studies programs in those universities too far gone to be Catholic overall, that is, just about all of them. And they could, and certainly should, devote attention to the Cardinal Newman organizations in the secular schools that serve far the most Catholic students.
As to the Notre Dame situation, anyone interested in learning in depth should consult the website of Sycamore Trust, and organization of alumni and others concerned about the deterioration of the Catholic identity of this storied institution.

Notre Dame not Catholic? My father, a '62 alum, would die of shame and sorrow if that were to happen. I'm no fan of Catholics, but somehow that would just seem so wrong.

The Vatican has just issued three major criteria an institution must fulfill to be considered a Catholic institution. This should allow all American bishops the
"clout" to remove the Catholic identity of those institutions that no longer meet those standards....and it is obvious that those Catholic colleges and universities that in the past were true to the teachings and no longer honor their Catholic founding should be not held out to us as Catholic. Our shepherds should be responsible for the truth...not acting is not fulfilling their role as defenders of the faith. Let's see what happens during the Conference...it is difficult to get a consensus these days as they all seem to be marching to their own drumbeat!

To Elizabeth -
Lady ... you had excommunicated yourself long before the Church did - trust you are happy with your man made "Church" - and hope yoy can read some TRUE History - soon !
God bless

Just look at Stan James' diatribe. What nonsense. He is a very angry man who tries to justify his attempted marriage by writing this drivel. The Episcopalian sect doesn't believe in anything anymore. It's become the church of ME. Wise up, bozo.

We always have the elisabeth's of the world spouting their with their anti catholic rants. I wonder which communist party meeting did she get her facts from: was it Mao's red china, Stalin's ussr, Pol Pot's Cambodia all enlightened socialist paradise's where no catholics or catholic churches were tolerated. Don't be sad Elisabeth, america is getting there.

Great universities in the US were once associated with churches. However, in recent decades, most have weakened ties. Why is that? I believe it is because most of the courses of study are of secular origin. You can't get top quality teachers in institutions where some religious view can stifle free inquiry. In any field there would be a stigma connected with association with such an institution. Therefore I think think that the trend of reasserting Catholic or other religious identity at formerly religiously affiliated schools will ultimately kill these institutions.

Without naming names, I cannot read the slurs against liberal Christians in these comments and not respond. One person refers to the Episcopal Church as a sect, another implies that if you disagree with Roman Catholic dogma, you are both anti-Catholic and a communist. It's truly sad that conservatives can't seem to engage in a discussion without name-calling. I am a proud graduate of a Catholic college/university, but cannot agree with the theological direction in which the Pope is taking the Church.

to elizabeth:

The Scriptural basis for condemning abortion is found in the 5th Commandment-Thou shalt not kill.

As for the prohibition of birth control, read about the sin of Onan in the Old Testament, who spilled his 'seed' and for which God killed him.

Also, the fact that birth control leads to abortion, should be a strong realization why it is also wrong (most women have abortions because the birth control failed to work)

This is just off the top of my head. I'm sure you can find much more Scriptural condemnations of both birth control and abortion.

Hope that was helpful

"Extra Ecclesiam Nullus omnino Slavatur." ("Out of the Church there is positively no Salvation " - Fourth Lat. Council. - 1215 - De Fide = "of the faith"
"Not to oppose erroneous Doctrine is to approve of it, and not to defend at all true Doctrine is to suppress it. -- Innocent III
It is the teaching of Holy Scripture, the Church, Councils, Fathers, Doctors, Saints, Eminent Scholars, and a Dogma of the Holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church - That whatever has been bound on earth is bound in heaven. (Dogma - de fide) That is whatever has been infallibly declared or taught by the Solemn Magesterium and continuously by the Ordinary Magesterium - we are obligated to believe, as Catholics, under pain of mortal sin and the eternal loss of our immortal souls. All Catholics, including the Pope, are bound to the Dogmas and doctrines of Holy Mother Church and God keeps His promises and enforces His laws, which do not depend on time, fad, popular opinion, majority vote or feel good measures. Ultimately, in the last instance, death, our particular judgement, is where we finally no longer "dodge the bullet".

Notre Dame is going against the principles it holds true. Therefore, it is being influenced by secular culture to some degree and this can erode the Christian foundation of the establishment. Endowing an honorary degree on someone who is in "the gray" when it comes to abortion is not Christian. Abortion is evil in nature. It is out of love that Christians point this out. When evaluating a subject or opinion through the "eyes of love"-- love defined as an unparallelled appreciation for what we find true, worthwhile, beautiful -- the mind recognizes correlating opinions or elements of opposing views. Conversely, anything which is not recognized as true, worthwhile, or beautiful may alert the mind to a falsity, contradiction, or potential wrong.

The interesting thing is since we are all free to think and express as we wish, "love" or "appreciation" is very different for us all. This is a marvelous reality. As humans, there is the potential for a wonderful existence when we tailor or set our sights on objective truth, real beauty, things that are worth while. There is also the possibility that our condition can be distorted or held back from true potential when we "deviate from what we value". So, what DO we value? Tangibles? Intangibles? both perhaps? Are these values helping us live full, happy, respectful, appreciative, healthy, moral lives? Could we improve if we adopted or molded our view in light of a new discovery? a new concept? Working in reverse, what values are helping us live cold, uninspired, confused, judgmental, unproductive and adverse lives?
People should search out what is "good" and measure that somehow. How can I measure what is good? By having something "good" to build on. We need to trace this "good" back to it's roots. Why is it good? is this true? is it logical and reasonable? is it understandable? If so, we are at a good spot. Now, everything I mention is subjective. A shorter way to find this measuring element is to go to God. A "God entity" is by nature and definition "good". God is objective in the Christian religion: love. So an ultimate "love" could provide the basis for how we conduct our lives on the earth. You could keep it just that simple and "move mountains". Once we have this "faith" in God, we are lead to teachings, traditions, culture, history all of which we can measure against through the " eyes of love" which we develop IF the truth is imbedded in the faith we profess. If this is not true, we will not last in faith and all will washed away with the tide of "this and that".
The opinions of "believers" are formed by striving to following teachings of a faith seated in a God figure. I believe you can objectively break down the belief by simple logic and reasoning. This is what supports faith. Not the fact that it is IN the unseen, but in the logic and reasoning that is put forth from the unseen through objective teachings. This is not always going to be easy. At the end of the day, through understanding, we see that black is black, white is white, and gray is gray. Not believing in God in the first place is illogical because it is logical to have an absolute when measuring "good vs evil" or right vs wrong. Being human, the subjectiveness of our nature does not provide an "absolute good or evil" and this will eventually lead us astray every time. Opinions will conflict and lines will be drawn. What is so bittersweet about our freewill is in our freedom to follow and search out truth. We are not forced into any single notion or paradigm. It is all up to the individual. The fact remains however, when there is a firm structure and objective rules, there is order and prosperity. Outside of that is chaos and malformation leading to all of the strife we deal with today.

The comment that the millions of Jews that "were killed by a catholic named Hitler" is the most bitterly bigoted smear of Catholicism I have lately seen verbalized. If you, "Stan James", knew a scintilla of Hitler's well-documented life, you should know he vehemently rejected the Catholic Faith in his youth and adopted a purely transcendent "God" and "Providence" which was nothing less than the projection of his will on his existence. The SS, which most exemplified Hitler's life and meaning, were a ritualistically pagan organization at the center of which was Hitler himself as the idol.

Rather, when I read the mindlessly bitter and vile lies like those articulated by "Stan James" I see the very fury which permeates their alienated selves, of such who hate God and hate humanity and wish to murder the Catholic Church to justify their own vicious little lives. Mr. James, be fearful of what you wish for. Hitlerian Germany, Stalin's Russia, and Kim Jong Il's North Korea are just 3 regimes who hated and have oppressed the Catholic Church and most represent your real heart
and soul.

Let's be honest... Notre Damned stopped being Catholic a long, long time ago.

"Also, the fact that birth control leads to abortion, should be a strong realization why it is also wrong (most women have abortions because the birth control failed to work)"

This is like saying that people get into traffic accidents because their brakes fail, and that the answer to the problem would be to ban brakes entirely, to eliminate the possibility of their failing.

Elizabeth,

While there are a few scriptural references that could be construed as speaking against birth and abortion, it is important to remember that the Catholic Church has never been "sola scriptura", i.e. scripture only. There is a long, proud tradition of scholarly philosophy that shapes many of the Church's seemingly puzzling teachings.

Many other Christian denominations are "sola scriptura". They tend to be more evangelical or fundamentalist.

Besides, it is quite possible to find abortion abhorrent and not be the least bit religious.

On a related note, the title of this blog entry is very misleading. Nowhere do the bishops mention that Notre Dame will be stripped of its Catholic affiliation. The title of the entry is classic "click grabbing". I guess it worked on me, but it's an increasingly frustrating trend in the media.

If any high profile university will have its Catholic affiliation terminated, it's Georgetown.

pasal2 - As per your comment about brake fail, I do not understand the analogy.

"This is like saying that people get into traffic accidents because their brakes fail, and that the answer to the problem would be to ban brakes entirely, to eliminate the possibility of their failing."

You equate traffic accidents with abortion and birth control with the brakes of a vehicle? OK, so you are implying that everyone who has sex includes birth-control as a "standard feature".
Actually, moreover, a necessary component to the sexual act period. Because as you know, no one can drive a vehicle without brakes. But people can have sex without birth-control. It's a choice we have. You don't need birth-control to have sex (you do need brakes to drive), therefore, your statement was a little far-fetched and not exactly pertinent.

I am interested in comments that people are making - almost casually - that Notre Dame is no longer a "Catholic" university. I don't know what people's affiliation with the University is. I am a recent graduate, which I think allows me to speak on this issue....

First, it seems unreasonable to declare that ND isn't Catholic simply because Obama spoke at commencement. As Fr. Hesburgh wrote just before this speech: “No speaker who has ever come to Notre Dame has changed this University. We are who we are. But, quite often, the very fact of being here has changed the speaker.” I think ND is secure enough in our beliefs & convictions that we don't have to fear that we'll all become pro-choice if we listen to one speech. However, if we do want to advance the pro-life cause, being able to communicate with people who believe differently than us is necessary.

Second, ND's Catholic identity goes much deeper than one commencement ceremony. For example, consider that the majority of students are Catholic & celebrate mass each week. Consider that each dorm & most class buildings have chapels. Consider rules such as parietals (no spending the night with the opposite gender) or the University's official policy that sexual relations are to be reserved for marital union. Consider the amount of service that students perform, in the spirit of Catholic Social Teaching. There are so many ways to evaluate whether a University is "Catholic" -- not just the political opinions of one speaker.

Again, I think that I can speak with knowledge about the state of the Catholic presence at ND, & I'm going to limit my comments to this University. I invite others that might claim to have an intelligent opinion about the University to look beyond one highly publicized & highly politicized weekend last May. You might get a much truer sense of the University's identity if you walk around campus on any given day, look inside the classrooms (you'll find a crucifix in each) or talk to students about their faiths. I doubt that any of you will come away believing that the University is not "Catholic". In fact, I believe that you may find that Notre Dame is an important institution for the Catholic Church in America. I've been a practicing Catholic my whole life, but I know that I would not have developed my faith (including being pro-life) to the extent that I have if I hadn't attended Notre Dame.

I do not believe it was the fact Obama was speaking at the University more than it was that he received an honorary degree. No harm in letting the man speak -- very Christian indeed -- however, giving someone who has a position on such issues as abortion which are clearly black and white an honor from an institution which condemns such vices is controversial.
I would not disagree that ND is a relatively Catholic university. But why did they offer an honorary degree to such a figure? Was it for publicity? Was it out of respect? Either way, can you argue it was the right thing to do as a Catholic institution? I do not see how.
Good school - Bad decision. Doesn't show any back-bone.

As an alumni of what, if any of you ever had spent time at, is most certainly a Catholic institution, we must remember that if one never brings in dialogue with those who have opposing views or doctrine, then one becomes hollow, and often uneducated on the world around us. Notre Dame has a history of inviting presidents to speak (Bush is pro-death penalty, and he also spoke) and by finding similarities, such as the University's and Obama's position on social justice, to bring light of the differences, such as abortion, can enable a healthy debate on the topics. As a Catholic, my faith and spiritual walk with the Lord grew in the most deep ways while I was at the University. Notre Dame promoted "faith by action", compelling the students to be a servant as Christ called us. Notre Dame provided me a faith community to live with, love with, grow with, and learn with, and the highest of these being grow in my personal relationship with Christ. To judge an institution that I would guess many of you have NEVER set foot on, or had deep conversations with its students or faculty, is quite sad. The Notre Dame family is one that is led by Christ, and whose faculty and staff challenges us to be not just better Catholics, but deeper Christians. The fellowship shared in each of our single-sex dorms on a Sunday night at church is something that as a freshman experiencing it for the first time, directly impacted who I was as a Christ-follower. The emphasis on God first, others second, and me third is always present, and I would hope ANY Catholic, ANY Christian, would feel embodied by the Spirit of a University such as Notre Dame and realize God's hand is truly involved.