We must get beyond the Humanae Vitae impasse

However, inserted into this pastoral journey of encounter was a muddled message that begs for explanation.

Jan 30, 2015

However, inserted into this pastoral journey of encounter was a muddled message that begs for explanation. Francis twice praised Pope Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae, which upheld the Church’s moral ban of artificial contraception. Francis called Paul’s issuing of Humanae Vitae “courageous.” He termed the pope “a prophet” and “a good pastor.” Paul “had the strength to defend openness to life,” Francis said.

But Francis also immediately interjected two caveats: There were “particular cases” where the contraception ban may not apply and “responsible parenthood” (a term Paul used also) might require the limiting of births.

Francis’ endorsement of Humanae Vitae seems in continuity with the views of his predecessors. Yet the forcefulness of his insistence that pastors be attuned to “particular cases,” and his clear emphasis on responsible parenthood suggested to some that he wants to move the Church beyond a rigid interpretation of Humanae Vitae.

This idea was reinforced when he invited couples to explore responsible parenthood “with dialogue,” saying, “That is why in the Church there are marriage groups, there are experts in this matter, there are pastors.”

Our hope is that Francis is taking the first steps to untie official Church teachings from the idea that “each and every marriage act must remain open to the transmission of life.” This teaching represents the narrowest of understandings of love, intimacy and fidelity within a marriage.

Source: NCR

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