Natural Family Planning: A Unique and Complete Approach to NFP Instruction
It must be logically apparent to every thinking person that not every system or method of Natural Family Planning (NFP) is the same as the others. Each has its points of emphasis, inclusion, or exclusion that make that program different from the others. This paper explains why certain inclusions make the instruction program of NFP International unique and the most complete approach to the teaching and practice of Natural Family Planning.
A pastoral approach to contemporary Catholics
Today’s culture challenges Catholics, “Why should you believe what the Catholic Church teaches about sexuality or anything else?” Catholics are also challenged to explain why it is wrong to engage in marital contraception.
The NFPI course provides Christ-centered answers to such questions and includes the Pope’s own shorthand form of his theology of the body. The NFPI course is intended to be an agent of evangelization, not preachy but informative.
All the common signs of fertility and infertility
Changes in cervical mucus, changes in the cervix itself, and changes in the levels of a woman’s temperatures are all valuable signs of fertility and infertility. Each sign has certain strong points or advantages and weak points or disadvantages. The NFPI course teaches how to use all these signs in a cross-checking way to get the most benefit from each.
The minimum time of abstinence
For those seeking to avoid pregnancy, the NFPI rules provide the minimum amount of abstinence consistent with the available evidence and the couples’ needs. In some situations, a cross-checking rule can indicate the start of post-ovulation infertility one or two days earlier than found by other systems. Waiting another one or two days may not sound like much, but sometimes it means another week or two when one spouse travels. NFPI instruction gives couples more than one morally legitimate choice.
Positive identification of pregnancy
For couples seeking pregnancy, the temperature sign has a special value. Its elevation and continuity for three weeks provide a positive indication of pregnancy. In some cases dealing with insurance coverage, this has been of significant help to clarify when conception occurred, saving thousands of dollars of medical expenses.
Universally available
Free self-instruction is available at the NFP International website below. Classroom instruction is available in certain fortunate locations. Some of these are also listed at the website.
Next week: To be continued.
John F. Kippley
Sex and the Marriage Covenant: A Basis for Morality