Pope Paul VI and The Prophetic Witness of Humanae Vitae

By F. K. Bartels
7/24/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Humanae Vitae offered prophetic witness to the crucial importance of conforming the use of the human body to the language of truth.

Just a few years after Humanae Vitae the wedge of artificial birth control was driven so deeply between the marital act and human procreation that it spawned the unspeakable evil of legalized abortion in the U.S. under the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. The logical extension of the contraceptive mentality is the abortion mentality. One has to wonder, what is next?

Pope Paul VI, a Prophetic Witness

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GLADE PARK, CO (Catholic Online) -- Pope Paul VIs Humanae Vitae, promulgated three years after the close of the Second Vatican Council, rapidly became at the time of its release the most intensely mocked and reviled Church document in centuries, perhaps amassing more derision than any other solemn teaching of the Church in the entire history of Christendom. To this day, many Catholic proponents of Pope Paul's teaching hesitate to mention Humanae Vitae to those who grew up in the 60s and 70s for fear of the averse reactions which not infrequently follow.

On the other hand, Catholics who broach the subject of Humanae Vitae with those whose birthdate allowed them to be spared the brunt of the 60s sexual revolution and acute-suspicion-of-authority influence, experience a different reaction: Paul VIs encyclical is often not part of their vocabulary because they have never heard of it. So the first step is to invite them to read it.

The situation with these Catholics, especially those who are approximately thirty years of age and younger, is both interesting and encouraging: once they are properly catechized on the theology of the human body and the spiritual language it speaks, along with the consequences of making a lie of one's body during the marital act through the use of artificial birth control, treating fertility as if it is a disease, objectifying one's spouse and refusing to be open to life, they very quickly recognize the profound worth of Pope Paul's teaching. And not only that; as a result they often develop a deep and lasting appreciation for the Church. They begin to see that the Church is our mother who desires to take us into her womb and, by nourishing her children with the words of truth and the sacraments of life, raise us to new and eternal life in Christ.

These Catholics, then, come to recognize that the teaching of the Church is about eternal salvation; it's about realizing the gift of unending, perfect happiness; it's about concern for the whole and complete truth of the human person and the relationships which follow; It's about building a better world; it's about understanding and actualizing true human freedom -- just as is Humanae Vitae.

Once the light about the Church's true nature penetrates the soul, which is a gift of the Spirit, a refreshing vision of the Bride of Christ is unveiled before one's eyes with astonishing clarity. No longer is the Church viewed through an hermeneutic of suspicion, but rather she becomes a "holy temple" and "dwelling place of God among men" (LG 6 � 4; Rev. 21:3), who is the "kingdom of Christ now present in mystery" (LG 3). Transformed by the Spirit, who reveals Christ and his Church in full and penetrating light, the eyes of the soul are opened to the true nature of the Church as the "spotless spouse of the spotless Lamb" (LG 6 � 5; Rev. 19:7; 21:2, 9; 22:17). Praise God!

But if Humanae Vitae's release had occurred a mere fifty years earlier, when the American populace's views on sexuality, marriage and children were net yet so tainted, things would have been different. The dissenting cry of the 60s and 70s would likely have been replaced with approbation, since both Catholics and Protestants frowned on the use of mechanical devises and dangerous chemicals before, during and after sex in an attempt to frustrate procreation.

The fact is, Christendom was in general agreement on the sinfulness of contraceptives up until the Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops in 1930. While the conference strongly condemned the use "of any methods of conception control from motives of selfishness, luxury, or mere convenience," emphasizing abstinence as the primary method to avoid parenthood, "in those cases where there is such a clearly felt moral obligation to limit or avoid" the generation of children, the Anglican bishops deemed that "other methods may be used." That of course opened the door. Once the birth control pill was legalized in 1960, it became the "other method." Obviously, it was not only Protestants who began to embrace the use of hormonal contraceptives, but many Catholics as well -- although the Church has never approved of man's attempts at driving an artificial wedge between the marital act and procreation.

It is, then, no surprise that in 1968 Humanae Vitae met up with blatant outrage, since "methods of conception control" had long stemmed not only from selfish motives of "luxury" and "mere convenience" but from the mistaken conviction that men and women had a "right" to enjoy unrestrained sex without being "burdened" by the potential for an unwanted pregnancy. Fertility had come to be viewed as an hindrance rather than a ...

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1 - 10 of 50 Comments

JeanCatherine
10 months ago
Avila Power

God Bless you.

I wrote a Natural Family Planning article at Jean'sBistro2010's blog for anyone who needs information.
Judy Claar
10 months ago
Jo Ann & Theresa H., Great Posts!! Sunday Blessings...
JoAnn
10 months ago
Judy: Thanks. It's comforting to know someone else has your back. God bless.
AFU JUSTIN UKOR
10 months ago
such articles are for the purpose of enlightening catholic faithfuls all over the world.this teachings inductrinates the minds of millions out there.thanks a million times.
JoAnn
10 months ago
Rob: By the way, you don't have to answer that last question. It was just rhetorical. Just something for you yourself to think about. God bless.
JoAnn
10 months ago
Rob: The idea of America, was FREEDOM. Freedom from tyranny, freedom to make your own mark in the world. Freedom to worship God. Freedom to practice your own Faith. Freedom to pursue that "American Dream." The point is, we all have the opportunity to do anything in the world that we want (provided it's legal). If some of us end up wealthy, then BRAVO. If not, deal with it. God has plans for all of us. We all have our destinies. I was always taught and still believe it to this day, "As long as we had a roof over our head, food on the table, each other and God (not necessarily in that order) then we were rich beyond all imagining. That's the mind set that this country has to get back. Until then, we will continue to spiral down into oblivion, with our selfishness and pagan cultures. Someone once asked me, "What is the American Dream"? My answer to them was, "No one can really answer that because the American Dream is different for everybody." What is your American Dream, Rob? God bless.
Theresa H
10 months ago
Rob, I see your hopeless, helpless frustration; I think there are many of us who don't see any really "good" candidate most anywhere in government anymore and are truly distressed at what we see happening before our eyes. Even if there might be "a few good men" around (that doesn't exclude "women," as far as I'm concerned!), they are far, far, too out-numbered--even unknown as yet--or at least not ready and able to run for office Still, between the two possible candidates to lead this nation in 2013, do you think Obama is the better man for the job? (Please don't feel you have to answer.) It baffles me how anyone could think this man represents anything of what the USA has stood for--for over 2 Centuries. (I do have some friends who still think Obama will better for us!) He is at the very best, a socialist--but socialism has been condemned by the Popes over the past hundred years or so because it tramples the principle of subsidiarity. Socialism (a form of collectivism) threatens human freedom and initiative and is contrary to our Founding principles of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. On top of that, and worse than a socialisist, he's done absolutely nothing to minimize, let alone stop abortion. In fact, he blatantly supports it with taxpayer $$ and wants more $$ from us to promote more abortions, contraception, etc., both at home and abroad; there seems no end to his conniving in this realm....Yes, capitalism can (and often does) corrupt, but it is not inherently evil. Many wealthy people in this world do share their wealth with the poor, the needy and other good causes--a lot of which is unknown to most of us--both during their life and after their death.... (And remember what Jesus said to the apostles who grumbled when the woman came in with the precious perfume and washed his feet....?) So much seems so upside-down these days. We must all pray for one another... and may God keep us from falling into despair! "Long Live Christ the King!"
Theresa H.
10 months ago
Rob, I agree with you that neither Party is all that great. But we have to do the best with the viable candidates available--At this point, that's Obama or Romney and, right now, with the about 90% of one Party being pro-abortion/pro-choice, I see no chance for any viable leader coming from there for some time. (The mind is too "darkened" with the sins that "cry to heaven.") Our current secular, modernistic and hedonistic culture is far too caught up in the latest "thing" to see what's happening. Yet, it seems to me there is a "ray of hope" in a growing "remnant" of young families--of parents mostly homeschooling their children, and teaching them how to live happy, Christian lives in this world--in the midst of a modern "Sodom and Gomorrah" that will continue to decline and fall apart from the inside. But, then, too, there are major "threats" from the outside.... May God have mercy on us!
Judy Claar
10 months ago
Jo Ann, Wow! Thank you for all that info. I certainly have to add that book to the list! Good thing i haven't ordered yet! Do you know of a like and/or good book on St. Benedict? It is all sooooo interesting! Of course any holy reading is. Especially the times we are in. But, there have always been certain periods of time that were extra horrifying. I do like the stance Pope Benedict is taking on the Peru Catholic College=Now non-Catholic. I hope American Catholic colleges take a good long thoughtful look! Secularism has wormed its evil way in. Time to clean house on those not teaching True Catholic Doctrine. Jo Ann, We have to remember dear sister, "there is nothing new under the sun". It only comes out in different various forms sometimes. Then, as now, the only thing we know is Jesus. Who is Our Saviour. All of us still have tasks to perform, choices to make, people to help and love, or else we wouldn't be here. "This is the Day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be Glad in it". Blessings....
Rob
10 months ago
JoAnn, lots of prayer is definitely in order. The anger I feel at all of them right now is a new emotion for me. Believe it or not, but I'm a pretty cheerful guy.

I'm 39. From my vantage point I see two sides of our government. One side that I think you can safely call a socialist leaning side that thinks the government can do it all and should do it all. The other side is the side who ensure, protects and promulgates the wealth of a very few at the expense of all. Personally, I see the social programs of our country as the stop gap measure the wealthy in this country have had to allow in order to justify their accumulation of all the country's wealth. It's keeps us from an armed revolt.

Anyone with half a brain knows we are on the wrong path. This last "crisis" tipped the scales and the old ways of doing business (government spending and trickle down economics AKA amass all the nations wealth) aren't going to work anymore. And the money in politics will let know one act on the truth. They all talk a good game, but they know who their masters are. One thing we will defintely agree on, is that we are the Europe of old. You have the wealthy and we peasants. This is not trying to incite class warfare. Warfare assumes that you have a fighting chance.....this game has already been won.

Hopefully the idea of America is still more than just a way to make money.

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