I disagree completely. The entire nation is aware that The CC is against contraception. Any Catholic who uses it is committing a grave sin, usually mortal. How culpable each person is we can't say, but that is true for any sin. As one poster has pointed out, there is no such thing as the "sacrament of ignorance". Just because people intentionally choose to remain ignorant of the truth does not let them "off the hook". The CCC #s 1740 and 1741 say that Catholics are under s serious obligation to form their consciences correctly. We are not talking of some obscure canon law that folks would not run into, but a fundamental truth that is critical to leading a holy life. Many of us are liable.
Some have said that Protestants as in the same boat. Meaning that, they too, are committing a mortal sin most of the time if they use contraception. The argument, I think, rests upon the natural Law.
You're right that it's pretty much common knowledge that the Catholic Church is against contraception. However, if I advise a woman about it, or call her on her using it, the reaction is pretty much that she knows she's/would be doing something wrong, and feels uneasy about it, but there's no "connect" to its objectively being a mortal sin. They know it's "wrong" - but the word "sin" feels harsh to them. Mortal sin? Oh, no...it can't be! Or so I've sensed in their reactions. "I'm not perfect," and "Jesus understands," seems to be the prevalent reaction I've heard, along with the reasons they can't be pregnant now.
As one poster has pointed out, there is no such thing as the "sacrament of ignorance". Just because people intentionally choose to remain ignorant of the truth does not let them "off the hook". The CCC #s 1740 and 1741 say that Catholics are under s serious obligation to form their consciences correctly.
As you implied, even though only God can judge the soul, each of us has the responsibility of forming our consciences correctly, and that involves our learning the Church's objective teachings concerning sin, namely, what is a sin, and *this* is a mortal sin, and *that* is a venial sin. Unfortunately, many people go about life, and religion based on feelings, rather than reasoning, and today, the world has run amok with it.
Since it seems to have become one of my life's missions (:oD) to deal with people who deal with life on the basis of their emotions, I know first hand how difficult and exhausting it is to try to help them to change gears from their emotions to their brains. If they stay stuck in their emotions, they really can't see the objective status of a particular sin. Objectively, they are committing mortal sins, and only God can judge how responsible and culpable they are. They're in God's hands, and I can't do anything more besides pray for them.
Faith, knowledge, understanding, and the application of moral laws do not happen in a vacuum. Much depends on the availability of an individual in a rational sense. There is a lot involved in the translation of the Law, from words on a page to that which God has "written in our hearts." And then there's application of the Law. The truth is universal at all times, and in all places, so the application of the Law is always possible, with the Grace of God. There's always an answer, although finding it can be a difficult prospect.
Some have said that Protestants as in the same boat. Meaning that, they too, are committing a mortal sin most of the time if they use contraception. The argument, I think, rests upon the natural Law.
I agree with you concerning Natural Law. As far as the Anglicans/Protestants go, here is an interesting article: