ASK FR BITAJU | KAIROS GLOBAL | JULY 2024

Author: Fr Bitaju Mathew

Q. Which is better: having few kids you can raise well or having many kids who grow up as wounded and bitter individuals?

Thanks for your relevant question regarding the number of children in a Catholic family. In fact, the Catholic Church does not provide a definitive answer to this question. The decision regarding family size is a deeply personal one for the couple that must be based on their particular circumstances, taking into account various factors such as their ability to provide for the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of their children.

The Church teaches that married couples have the responsibility to be open to the gift of life and to be generous in their openness to procreation (CCC 2367). However, the Church also recognises that responsible parenthood involves considering various factors: such as physical, psychological, economic, and social conditions of the couple and the well-being of existing children (CCC 2368). Ultimately, the Catholic Church promotes the well-being and proper upbringing of children as a primary concern. It encourages parents to embrace their role as primary educators of their children and to provide a loving and nurturing environment for them to grow and develop (CCC 2221-2223).  

It is important to remember that each child is a unique and precious gift from God, deserving of love, care, and support. While it is ideal for children to grow up in a nurturing and healthy environment, it is also important to recognise that challenges and difficulties can arise in any family, regardless of the number of children.  

In summary, decisions regarding family size should be made with responsible parenthood in mind, considering various factors that contribute to the well-being and proper upbringing of children. It is a decision that should be made prayerfully and with the guidance of one’s conscience, seeking to follow the teachings of the Church and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. 

YOU CAT 372 

How do parents respect their children?

God entrusted children to parents so that they might be steady, righteous examples for those children, that they might love and respect them and do everything possible so that their children can develop physically and spiritually. [2221-2231]

Children are a gift from God and not the property of the parents. Before they are their parents’ children, they are God’s children. The primary duty of parents is to present to their children the Good News and to communicate the Christian faith to them.