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Forty Years of Humanae Vitae
Abstract: 40th anniversary of Papal encyclical on marriage, sex, and contraception inspires protests.
July 25, 2008 was the 40th anniversary of the promulgation of Humanae Vitae, the encyclical of Paul VI that addresses issues of marriage and procreation. A distinguishing feature of Humanae Vitae is its sweeping condemnation of birth control:
Similarly excluded is any action which either before, at the moment of, or after sexual intercourse, is specifically intended to prevent procreation—whether as an end or as a means.
As the encyclical's anniversary approached, Catholics for Choice published an open letter (Lettera Aperta al Papa) to Pope Benedict XVI calling for an end to the church's ban on contraception:
It is clear to us that the Catholic church cannot move forward until it honestly confronts the paradox of Humanae Vitae: Most Catholics use modern contraceptives, believe it is a moral choice to do so and consider themselves Catholics in good standing, yet the Catholic hierarchy completely denies this reality.
Vatican spokesperson Fr. Federico Lombardi was dismissive:
First and foremost, the authors are a part of a number of groups that are well known for their dissenting positions which are not limited to the mere teaching of marital morality but are also concerned with many other subjects (for instance the ordination of women) and that therefore for some time have been against the Magisterium of the Church.
It’s clear it is not an article that expresses a theological or moral position, it is paid propaganda to promote the use of contraceptives. One should also wonder who paid for it and why.
