The Cathars:  Cathar Beliefs:  Roman Catholic Propaganda:  Contraception

In line with St Augustine's views of proper functions for each organ of the body, Catholics abhored contraception.   In contrast, Cathars despising all things physical and especially reproduction, found contraception perfectly acceptable.

The theory is simple, but the practice more complicated.   There is some evidence that Cathars practiced contraception, but it is difficult to know if they practiced it more than their Catholic neighbours.  

The best documented case of contraception being used comes from the Inquisition's records of the interogation in 1320 of a suspected Cathar, Béatrice de Planissolles, and her lover, by the Inquisitor-bishop Jacques Fournier. Unfortunately the picture is clouded by the fact that the lover was also a Catholic priest - the curé at the famous village of Montaillou.

Click on the following link to read Beatric's testimony concerning her and her lover priest's favoured methods of contraception

Click on the following link for more information about the events at Montaillou