The first recorded words from God to humanity are: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it” (Gn 1:28). To make sure that humanity got the message, God repeated it two more times (Gn 9:1, 7). Sin then took advantage of humanity’s fertility to transmit a fallen nature to every human being. Likewise, when our fertility seems to multiply our problems, many of us respond with birth control. We reason that less people means less problems for us who already have too many problems. However, the Lord responds to the multiplication of our problems not by shutting down our fertility, but by dealing with our real problem, sin. For example, the Lord tried to deal with our sinfulness through Noah’s flood, while continuing to command us to be fertile and multiply.

We don’t need birth control, but sin control. We don’t even need temporary birth control while we delay dealing with our sins. This is only another excuse to put off repenting. We must repent of our sins now and go to Confession. We treasure God’s Word in our hearts that we may not sin (Ps 119:11). The only way to save our lives is to give our lives totally to the Lord (Mt 16:25). Then our fertility will be used to fill the earth with the Lord’s love and life as we make disciples of all the nations (see Mt 28:19). Be fertile and multiply; repent of sins and fill the earth.

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from February 1, 2023 through March 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 15, 2022"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.