The Evils of Artifical Contraception

First off, the Catholic Church is opposed to all forms of artificial contraception.

In 1968, Paul VI issued his landmark encyclical letter Humanae Vitae (Latin for "Human Life") which reemphasized the Church’s constant teaching that it is always intrinsically evil to use contraception to prevent new human beings from coming into existence. Simply put, artificial contraception is contrary to the will of God.

Contraception is "any action which, either in anticipation of the conjugal act [sexual intercourse], or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible" (Humanae Vitae 14). This includes sterilization, condoms and other barrier methods, spermicides, coitus interruptus (withdrawal method), the Pill, and all other such methods.

Artificial contraception is wrong because it is opposed to the natural law of God. Some argue we need contraception to cut down on unwanted pregnancy and abortion. But, there should be no sex outside of marriage - fornication - because it is a mortal sin. Even looking at a woman/man lustfully is a sin (Matthew 5:29). Sex outside of marriage is mortally sinful. Only sexual activity between a husband and wife is permissible, and a husband and wife must be open to the transmission of human life. Artificial contraception destroys marital bonds.

Some forms of contraception (such as the morning after pill) can even produce an abortion. These forms of contraception kill upwards of 12 million lives in the US each year. (Source)

St. Thomas Aquinas, who is considered the greatest theologian in the history of the Church, ranks the evil of contraception immediately after that of homicide, in that the first destroys human nature and the second prevents it from coming into being.  (Source: Contra Gentes 1.3, c. 122)

Scripture also condemns contraception:

Gen 1:28, 9:1,7; 35:11 - from the beginning, the Lord commands us to be fruitful ("fertile") and multiply. A husband and wife fulfill God's plan for marriage in the bringing forth of new life, for God is life itself.

Gen. 28:3 - Isaac's prayer over Jacob shows that fertility and procreation are considered blessings from God.

(See More examples)

What about using condoms to stop AIDS?

We still must not use artificial contraception like condoms.

Artificial contraception damages the gift of self. It destroys marital bonds because it prevents the transmission of life. For those who argue condoms should be supported because they will save lives in the fight against AIDS, condoms will not save lives. What is needed is education to change the lifestyles of these people. They must be taught that chastity is to be valued and sexual relations outside of marriage are wrong. This is a must and if we can teach this we can save more lives.

If condoms are allowed then many countries will begin to support sex outside of marriage and I guarantee that AIDS will skyrocket. People do not realize that the AIDS virus is so small that it can be transmitted through a condom. Condoms are not effective.

From a comment in Catholic News Agency article:

We can see from results in Africa that the use of condoms spreads AIDS rather than stopping it. Tanzia went from 3 cases to over 2 million with condom use, while Uganda went from a 30% AIDS rate to only 6%, after it stopped condom use. Clearly condoms spread rather than stop AIDS transmission. The Church is right in rejecting them.

And again it comes down to our faith in the True Church of Jesus Christ. We should seek to understand everything and we must never go against the Church's teachings on faith and morals. As Paul VI proclaimed in his encyclical, Humanae Vitae, artificial contraception is contrary to the will of God.