Category: Population

Roman Catholic nuns and priests were a substantial proportion of the populace in past centuries. Their celibacy acted to slow population growth.
Starting in the 12th century priests and nuns had to take vows of chastity in order to be considered pure. For some, however, abstinence is a goal that is difficult to achieve.
Today there are far fewer nuns and priests. Many places have imported clergy from other countries, and some churches have shut their doors due to lack of a priest. This decrease in clergy has increased population growth, although probably only slightly. There is a more important factor.
In 1968, Pope Paul VI issued his landmark encyclical letter Humanae Vitae (“Human Life”), which reemphasized the Church’s constant teaching that it is intrinsically wrong to use contraception to prevent new human beings from coming into existence. In many parts of the world this is largely ignored. Catholic women in the USA and most western European countries use artificial birth control about as often as Protestant women.
In poorer parts of the world, where most Catholics live, people are more obedient to Church doctrine; as a consequence their birth rate is much higher. Since Roman Catholicism is one of the most numerous world religions (numbering about 1.2 billion adherents), avoidance of the most effective family planning methods leads to many unwanted pregnancies and high growth rates.
The Philippines provides a good example. Women there bear an average of more than 3 children, while the average for all of Southeast Asia is just 2.4. The country boasts that it is the only Christian country in Asia, and over 80% Filipinos are Catholic. The Church has a strong hold on politics: abortion is essentially totally outlawed—but common, nonetheless. The Church opposes the Filipino Reproductive Health Law because it would increase the availability of contraception, even though it stands to prevent hundreds of pregnancy-related deaths. Fortunately the Filipino Supreme Court just approved the Law earlier this month despite strong pressure from the Church. Although currently fewer than 40% of Filipino women use a reliable, modern method of contraception, the Law will make birth control available to all.
The following appeared last month in the British “Catholic Herald”: ‘Responding to the question of whether the Church should revisit the issue of birth control, Pope Francis replied: “It all depends on how the text of Humanae Vitae is interpreted. Paul VI himself, towards the end, recommended that confessors show great kindness and attention to specific situations.
“His genius proved prophetic: he had the courage to stand against the majority, to defend moral discipline, to exercise a ‘brake’ on the culture, to oppose [both] present and future neo-Malthusianism. The question is not that of changing doctrine, but to go into the depths, and ensuring that pastoral [efforts] take into account people’s situations, and that, which it is possible for people to do.”’
(I do not agree with the comment about neo-Malthusianism, but will not debate that here.)
Francis did something that no other Pope has done before—survey his flock. The Global Survey of Roman Catholics asked 12,000 people in 12 countries throughout the world a variety of questions. It is not surprising that his ratings were extremely high—Catholics and non-Catholics alike appreciate him.
There is discontent among his flock, however. Quoting the first point under the heading “Findings” in the executive summary:
“An Alarming Trend for the Vatican
The majority of Catholics worldwide disagree with Catholic doctrine on divorce, abortion, and contraceptives. Additionally, the majority of Catholics in Europe, Latin America and the United States disagree with established doctrine on the marriage of priests as well as on women entering the priesthood. Taken together, these findings suggest an extraordinary disconnect between the church’s basic teachings on the fundamental issues of family and pastoral responsibilities and the viewpoints currently held by many of the world’s more than 1 Billion Catholics. Perhaps more alarming, are the generational divides found in the analysis of the data which show that younger Catholics are even more likely to hold views contrary to church teachings than Catholics as a whole.”
Pope Francis’ openness, modesty and integrity are a breath of fresh air. He is following in the footsteps of his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi—the patron saint of ecology. Let us hope that Francis will recognize that the press of the growing human population not only harms humans but also damages Creation, and that Pope Francis will allow more of his flock to use effective contraception.
© Richard Grossman MD, 2014

“Every person in the world should have a chance to achieve something, they should not be stripped of this opportunity simply due to the location of their birth.” A Fort Lewis College student from Arctic Alaska

One of the reasons that we chose Durango as our home 37 years ago was that it is a college town. Through the years Fort Lewis College (FLC) has enriched our lives in many ways.
After graduation from college Gail, my wife, earned a master’s degree in secondary education. After moving to Durango she became more interested in educating young children. Our two sons were still in elementary school when Gail earned her second bachelor’s degree at FLC. She found some of the professors there on a par with Harvard!
Gail and I have enjoyed musical performances at the college. We learned what fine performers professors in the Music Department are when they started the “Raising the Roof” concerts to help fund the Community Concert Hall. The College and the Durango community financed this fine facility together after a heavy snow crushed the prior venue. Go there for concerts, plays and even the Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats!
We have sung with the Durango Choral Society since arriving in Durango, along with college students and faculty. Our current leader is Linda Mack Berven, who raised choral music at “The Fort” to a very high level.
In addition to our personal enjoyment, FLC is a vital resource for the county. The students are important economic drivers who bring money to the local economy. Many students hold down menial jobs in the community. Some stick around after graduation and put their new skills to use.
Have you attended any of the talks in the stimulating “Lifelong Learning” series? They are held Thursday evenings when college is in session. This program is possible because many very interesting people live in or have retired in the area, forming the Professional Associates. A volunteer group under the auspices of the President’s Office, it serves the college in many ways in addition to Lifelong Learning. The Associates offer four student scholarships and assist with the Honors Program. They also have a unique “Host Family Program” that matches incoming students with local families.
Referred to as the “Campus in the Sky”, it is appropriate that the college’s varsity teams are called the “Skyhawks”. Teams include a championship cycling team, women’s lacrosse and men’s golf. Recently we went to an exciting football game against rival Adams State, with a very close win. Also important are the club sports and intramural sports, including rugby (for both men and women), ultimate frisbee and badminton. It is not surprising that exercise science and athletic training are two of FLC’s majors.
The name “Fort Lewis” bespeaks the college’s history. It started as a military outpost near Pagosa Springs in 1878, then moved to Hesperus two years later. In 1891 the fort was decommissioned and the campus transformed into a boarding school for Indians. At the beginning of the 20th century it became a technical high school, next a two-year agricultural college and finally a 4-year college in 1956 when it moved to its present campus in Durango. FLC now recognizes the importance of Native cultures, which it honors with the Native American Center, a major in Native American and Indigenous Studies, and by observing many Native traditions and ceremonies. About a fifth of all students are Native American; it is one of only two colleges in the USA that offers free tuition for Native people.
When I taught a class at FLC I was pleased to make the acquaintance of Native students. They often have a different approach to life, with fine appreciation of the natural world.
I have been frustrated by the few connections between the College and the community. The Concert Hall is a wonderful example of collaboration where both entities benefit, but I would like to see more interchange.
The community misses out on the excitement of intellectual stimulation and of young people. FLC could harness more of the experience in the community. I have two specific suggestions to increase relations: offer free parking on campus for community visitors, and allow senior citizens to audit FLC classes for a small fee, the way the University of Colorado does. Increasing interaction with the community will increase financial support, I am convinced.
Our society’s future depends on today’s students. Some of the best study at the Campus in the Sky. We should do whatever we can to support them!
© Richard Grossman MD, 2014