Some may not be aware that the Winnipeg Statement, issued by the Canadian Bishops in 1968, had been used as an excuse by Catholics to justify the use of contraception. Today, the contraceptive mentality has become so pervasive in our society, that one might be hard-pressed even to detect any controversy at all. Now, a group called The Rosarium is trying to organize a petition to urge the Canadian Bishops to retract the statement: "While the undersigned earnestly petition for the withdrawal of the Winnipeg Statement, we assure you, our bishops, of our constant prayers. Although our obedience and fidelity are assured, our pleas for retraction will continue year after year, if necessary, until the Bishops of Canada retract this Statement. And our movement, because it is founded on the divine law of love and faith, will only increase in strength. One day the Winnipeg Statement will fall. Although its end is inevitable, we pray that its retraction comes sooner rather than later." In my opinion, there is enough nuance in the document that a clarification could instead be issued. In it, the bishops would still need to come clean about the Church's constant teaching on contraception, but without having to declare the document erroneous.
[Via My Domestic Church]
