Contraception was (and may still be) banned by the Catholics (Roman). Of course as with most religious 'rules' many have argued that there is a non-religious reason for the ban on contraception. If you don't continue to make babies (in other words, new Catholics) then the church numbers decline. Can't have that. The so-called rhythm method was used by many Catholics and despite a claimed 75 to 87 percent effectivness rate is responsible for many 'surprises' in good Catholic familes.