Q. 1. Is it true that in the 1960's Pope Paul VI approved contraception for the nuns in Congo?

A. 1. Yes, it is true that in the 1960's, Pope Paul VI stated that nuns with a high risk of suffering rape in the Congo may use contraception to avoid pregnancy.

On this matter, Pope Francis stated in February, 2016, "Avoiding pregnancy is not an absolute evil." "In certain cases, as in this one, such as the one I mentioned of Blessed Paul VI, it was clear.”

According to Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi, the pope spoke of “the possibility of taking recourse to contraception or condoms in cases of emergency or special situations. He is not saying that this possibility is accepted without discernment, indeed, he said clearly that it can be considered in cases of special urgency.”

The action of the nuns does not consist of an abortion which is condemened by the Catholic Church. It was a measure to prevent conception from taking place between two strangers, the rapist and the victim. This situation cannot be compared to a married couple seeking to use contraception as a mean of birth control.