Holy Father, why did you say that?

I have read all the customary explanations written by various Catholics found on blogs and sites that link to general Catholic opinion that the Pope didn't really mean what he said when he cautioned us not to "breed like rabbits".  But the well-meaning Catholics fail to understand this: he did say it.  The damage done, which is very severe, is done.

My good wife and I brought a large family into the world.  Every time I brought her home from the hospital with a new child neighbors would roll their eyes.  One thoughtfully told one of our children to ask us if we had ever heard of the Pill.  Those who have had large families know the drill: the annoyed stares at a restaurant as we sat down to a large table, the ungentlemanly sneers received from friends and fellow workers, etc.

Once one of our helpful neighbors left a condom on our front porch (a used one, I am sorry to say) to give, I suppose, his Important Message to us.

If I had a nickel for every time I heard references from associates about "breeding like rabbits" I would be rich beyond the dreams of Midas.  One expects to hear that from average people...but must we hear it from the Pope, too?

Well, why not.  For years Catholic "marriage classes", which are now required (!) before a diocesan priest can marry you do nothing but teach you how to not have children, the "Catholic way", of course.  But the net result is the same: few or no kids.

I suppose "be fruitful and multiply" or "bring more souls into the world to give glory to God" are Jurassic ideas that have gone the way of the dodo.

Some Catholic writers are pointing to Pope Pius XII's words on large families, which were laudable and are much needed now.  Alas, when push came to shove Pius did not build upon those noble words and when asked once by a interviewer what he meant by a "large" family, he famously said, "about four".  I relate these things to you now because someone is going to throw that in your face when you bring up Pius' words.  I say this not to denigrate him but only to point out that he was not immune from some very fuzzy thinking at times.  And I am not of course referring to that preposterous nonsense that he was somehow "indifferent" to suffering Jews. [I once asked my mother why there were only four children in our family, a cheeky and untactful question, I know.  Her answer was "because that is what Pope Pius thought would be enough and she, like a good Catholic, obeyed him.]

Pius himself came from a family of four so perhaps that had something to do with his unfortunate remark.

In view of Pope Francis' words, which will have the same effect as Pius XII's only perhaps worse, I should sit down with my wife and see which of our children we should eliminate.

Large families mean that you will have to do with less, yes.  A smaller house, a mother at home with her children and not earning a second income while the Father brings home the bacon, fewer vacations, a lesser car than we would want, fewer Christmas presents for the little ones, foregoing that speedboat we have our eye on, no hideaway in the woods come Summer time, more ground chuck and less sirloin.  We may look at this and lament, understandably.  But look at what we have gained in return.

When I shuffle off this mortal coil it is comforting to know that there will be many children there praying for me.  How much better than dying alone and forgotten.

Thank you, Pope Francis.  We really didn't need this.