About CANFP

Our Mission

The California Association of Natural Family Planning promotes and supports the use of Natural Family Planning.  We unite users, providers and advocates of all methods of natural family planning, respecting differences in methodologies and focusing on common goals in a multi-cultural and non-sectarian context.

Our Beginnings

On March 25, 1993, a group of individuals from throughout California founded the California Association of Natural Family Planning.  Its first conference, presented in both English and Spanish, was held at the Marriott Hotel in Santa Clara.  Drs. John and Lyn Billings, Rev. Gerald Coleman, S.S. and Clayton Barbeau were keynote speakers.

At first glance it may seem to have been a foolish thing to do: why would anyone want to promote natural methods of family planning?  The only religious body still clinging to the idea that each act of intercourse ought to, by its very nature, be open to human life was the Catholic Church. Of her members, it was estimated that less than 5% actually adhered to that age old teaching repeated in 1968 in Humanae Vitae.  In short, why bother?

The founders saw a direct connection between understanding one's body and knowing one's fertility.  They believed the direct connection between actually knowing one's fertility and using that knowledge to conceive a child could empower women to choose life not abortion. They understood the direct connection between choosing to bring new life into the world and building strong families.  They experienced a direct connection between sacrificing immediate gratification for the common good and living more loving lives.  They understood what it means to "create a culture of life."

Our Vision

The California Association of Natural Family Planning educates the larger community in the benefits of NFP so that physicians, clergy and all people of good will may understand fertility as a normal, healthy process.

CANFP believes that fertility is life-giving:  a natural, normal, healthy process.  CANFP advocates only natural methods of family planning because these methods respect and uphold the dignity of the human person, are sound health practices and can be used both to achieve or avoid pregnancy.  We are CANFP accomplishing a truly magnificent thing:  every woman cherishing her fertility, whether single or married; every woman cherishing her child, whether born or unborn.

Meet CANFP

Executive Board	Advisory Board
Membership	President's Message