The Church is fighting a losing battle in its position regarding birth control,” said Dr. Alan F. Guttmacher, national president of the Planned Parenthood World Population organization during a recent interview in Atlanta.

“Obviously, an increase in food production and the modernization of agriculture—as the Pope suggested—are important. But we must do something to stop this overwhelming, hideous problem of overpopulation. This latter point His Holiness would not admit.”

Does the doctor foresee any changes in the Roman Catholic position?

“The commission has the data, and the matter is under study. Until a statement is issued to the pope, and until he accepts this advice, the position of the Church cannot be altered,’ said Dr. Guttmacher.

The doctor noted that opposition by the Church in the United States has diminished significantly in recent years. “As far as most Catholics are concerned,’ he said, “there are many different opinions toward birth control in the Roman Catholic Church as there are anywhere. The Church is not a big, monolithic organization.”

Major differences between the attitudes of the Planned Parenthood organization and the Church toward the population explosion “depend upon the Catholic”, said the doctor. “They pay ‘lip service’ to the traditional teaching. The liberal arm is just as agonized at this rapid growth as we are.”

Apathy, misunderstanding, and the antagonism of the Roman Catholic Church remain major obstacles faced by the organization, said Dr. Guttmacher is his address to the second annual meeting of the Atlanta Planned Parenthood Association. He cited the recognition by public health and welfare officials who understand that access to birth control information and family planning “is a basic human right.”

“We have the recognition, but not the implementation. There is apathy,” the doctor said. Part of the apathy is due to the fact that the organization works with “medically deprived women, members of our communities who are not able to manipulate their environments. Their environments manipulate them.” To provide birth control information, the doctor stressed that “you must kill poverty and the attitudes toward poverty and lack of education.”

Dr. Guttmeacher praised the Atlanta group for its work in establishing and maintaining three birth control clinics in the area—one located in the John O. Childes home. “You cannot rest until every child born in the sate of Georgia is a wanted child from a wanted pregnancy,” he said.

Rep. George Busbee, House Democratic floor leader, received the Margaret Sanger Award for Human Rights at the meeting. Rep. Kilian Townsend, a board member of the group, made the presentation.