Bravo to Pope Francis for his encyclical regarding global warming and the environment. Now if we could just get His Holiness to re-think the Catholic position on birth control. Overpopulation threatens the quality of life for the world, just as much as global warming. We need to stabilize the growth of the world population at a level that can be sustained by Earth’s resources, (i.e. water, food etc.).

Every woman in the developing countries who wants to delay or end childbearing should have access to the contraceptive devices she needs. However, the Catholic Church in countries such as Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America where population is increasing exponentially (meaning the number of Catholics in Africa is dramatically increasing as well) does not condone the use of contraceptives and instead encourages women to have as many children as God will give her. This practice results in low-life expectancy not only for the mother but also for the children who struggle with malnutrition. 

As of 2015, the world population is approaching 7.5 billion people. By 2020 it is expected to be 10 Billion. At what point, Pope Francis, will the Catholic Church recognize its responsibility to controlling the world’s resources by controlling its births? Just asking!

Marilyn Dunphy

East Lyme