A Catholic Physician’s Story
As a family physician, I was trained that the only way to plan families effectively was to use artificial contraceptives, IUD’s or sterilization. Although these artificial methods had side effects, I was taught in medical school that they were worth the risk. Moral consequences were not to be considered since our faith life had nothing to do with our bodies, right? I was constantly reminded that one’s bag of morals and life's ethics should be left at the doorway to medical education. I was there to serve the desires of my patients whether they wanted birth control pills or tubal ligations. My personal feelings, regardless of the Church's teaching had nothing to do with my practice of medicine.
To be honest, I never knew what the Church really taught on this subject. Even if I had known, I thought it could not impact the way I practiced medicine.
One day at the end of a rotation during family practice residency, one of my best friends asked me a question that shook me to the roots of my being. “José,” he asked, “I know you are a good doctor, but are you a Catholic doctor?”
That simple question threw me into a tailspin. I, like so many other Catholics, thought that going to church on Sunday and going to Confession when you did something “really bad”, was what one needed to be a good Catholic. What I found out was that I could not have been further from the truth.
It took me a while to figure it out. I sought the counsel of many. Most could not appreciate the struggle I had and why I wrestled with these issues, especially at this point in my life. I was made to feel I would be abandoning my patients and that I would be denying them a service I had provided in the past. After all, what would my patients say to me if I told them that I had stopped prescribing contraceptives and could no longer perform vasectomies or tubal ligations just because of my Church’s teaching?
Through it all I found the inner strength to know that I was on the right path. As I grew in my Catholic faith I realized God’s plan for me, my family and the patients I cared for; His plan had to do with not only what I was doing, but also the way I was doing it. My new found faith conviction was instrumental in helping me pick up the pieces. In many ways, showing me that I had not entered into a profession called medicine, but rather, that I had entered into a vocation – a way of life – one that was very personal. My faith and values at home should and could impact my practice of medicine.
Since that soul searching, I have become a strong advocate for Natural Family Planning and the Culture of Life. To my surprise (and the surprise of my colleagues) my patients did not feel abandoned. Some were curious as to why I had made this decision, and said they admired me for standing up for my beliefs.
I find myself each day trying to be more faithful to the God who loves and forgives me. Each day, regardless of the “hat” I wear, I am able to love a little more and forgive a little more. I have learned there are issues which cannot me compromised. For me, being a Catholic physician is all I know because my faith had pierced my heart and my soul.
I tell you my story not out of pride, but rather as a way to encourage you in your own journey of faith. As a Catholic, a husband and a physician, I hope to bring to your attention three things:
1. The effects of artificial contraception on the mind, body and soul.
2. The Church’s gift of Natural Family Planning and its effectiveness.
3. The reaffirmation of God’s plan for you in your married or single life through the understanding of your bodily cycles.
