Kenyan Catholic Couples Urged to Denounce “self-imposed voluntary slavery” of Contraception to Safeguard Marriages

He urged the members of the group to utilize the services of NFP experts who he said are “trained, recognized, and commissioned by the Catholic Church and are scattered all over the world in all the Catholic dioceses and parishes.”

The Kenyan NFP teacher together with others formed the group that now has 17 experts to sensitize couples on the dangers of contraceptives. NFP teachers in the group are teaching members through virtual meetings and daily learning materials on NFP.

In the February 6 write-up, Mr. Kahuha explained that the family is the foundation of both society and the Church, serving as the first school of life and morality, and therefore needs to be safeguarded from threats such as contraceptives.

He noted that marital intimacy, when properly understood, strengthens the bond between spouses and fulfills God’s command to procreate. “Marriage is not just a contract between two people but a covenant with God, where love and life go hand in hand,” he said.

He warned that artificial methods, including pills, injections, implants, and intrauterine devices (IUDs), not only interfere with a woman’s health but also disrupt marital relationships and family life.

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“There are more than 150 side effects associated with the use of artificial contraceptives, most of them life-threatening that affect the woman and her marital relationship, often ultimately destroying marriage and the family,” Mr. Kahuha said.

The Kenyan NFP teacher added, “Many couples do not realize that these methods create barriers, both physically and emotionally, between spouses.”

He argued that most artificial contraceptives act as abortifacients, preventing the implantation of the fertilized egg. He said, “When couples use these methods, they may unknowingly participate in the destruction of newly conceived life.”

He also expressed concern over their harmful effects, noting that many women experience health complications that negatively affect their marital relationships.

“A woman’s body is designed to function naturally, but artificial contraceptives alter that design, leading to long-term health risks,” he observed.

Kahuha pointed out that hormonal contraceptives pass through breast milk to infants, exposing them to potential reproductive health issues later in life. He said, “Many young men today struggle with fertility because their mothers unknowingly exposed them to hormonal contraceptives during breastfeeding.”

In the article, the marriage and family therapist criticized the increasing tendency of parents to introduce their daughters to contraceptives at a young age, arguing that such practices reflect a shift away from moral values.

“Instead of teaching young girls about abstinence and self-respect, society is normalizing contraception, which ultimately leads to more harm than good,” he said, urging parents to be vigilant while dealing with the issue of sexuality with their children.

Referring to religious teachings, Mr. Kahuha emphasized that the Catholic Church remains firm in its teaching against artificial contraception, advocating Natural Family Planning as the only morally acceptable method of birth regulation.

“The Church teaches that every marital act must remain open to life, in accordance with God’s will,” he said and added that couples who embrace NFP experience greater trust, communication, and respect in their relationships

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“Natural Family Planning is not just about avoiding pregnancy; it is about understanding and respecting God’s design for marriage,” he explained.

Mr. Kahuha urged Catholic couples to align their choices with the Church’s teachings, emphasizing that obedience in matters of faith and morality is not optional but an essential aspect of Christian life.

“Faith is not about convenience; it is about obedience. If we truly believe in God’s plan for marriage and family, we must be willing to follow it wholeheartedly," he said.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.