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Encyclicals of Pope Paul VI #7
On Human Life: Humanae Vitae
The papal encyclical Humanae Vitae (On Human Life) made headlines worldwide. Many talked about the encyclical when it was issued in 1968, but few actually read it. Why is it perhaps the most controversial document in modern Church history?
On Human Life combines Humanae Vitae with commentary by popular and respected Catholic authors Mary Eberstadt, James Hitchcock, and Jennifer Fulwiler in order to address this question and to shed light on the document's enduring wisdom.
Humanae Vitae is Pope Paul VI's explanation of why the Catholic Church rejects contraception. The pope referred to two aspects, or meanings, of human sexuality-the unitive and the procreative. He also warned of the consequences if contraception became widely practiced-consequences that have since come to pass: greater infidelity in marriage, confusion regarding the nature of human sexuality and its role in society, the objectification of women for sexual pleasure, compulsory government birth control policies, and the reduction of the human body to an instrument of human manipulation. The separation of sexuality from its dual purpose has also resulted in artificial reproduction technologies, including cloning, that threaten the dignity of the human person.
Although greeted by controversy and opposition, Humanae Vitae has continued to influence Catholic moral teaching. St. John Paul II's popular "theology of the body" drew deeply on the insights of Paul VI. Pope Benedict and now Pope Francis have upheld the long-standing teaching, and a new generation of Catholics, as well as non-Catholics, is embracing the truths of the encyclical.
72 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1968
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About the author
Pope Paul VI
264 books33 followersPope Paul VI (Latin: Paulus VI; Italian: Paolo VI), born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini (26 September 1897 – 6 August 1978), reigned as Pope from 21 June 1963 to his death in 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, he continued the Second Vatican Council which he closed in 1965, implementing its numerous reforms, and fostered improved ecumenical relations with Eastern Orthodox and Protestants, which resulted in many historic meetings and agreements. Montini served in the Vatican's Secretariat of State from 1922 to 1954. While in the Secretariat of State, Montini and Domenico Tardini were considered as the closest and most influential colleagues of Pope Pius XII, who in 1954 named him Archbishop of Milan, the largest Italian diocese. Montini automatically became the Secretary of the Italian Bishops Conference. John XXIII elevated him to the College of Cardinals in 1958, and after the death of John XXIII, Montini was considered one of his most likely successors.
Upon his election to the papacy, Montini took the pontifical name Paul VI (the first to take the name "Paul" since 1605) to indicate a renewed worldwide mission to spread the message of Christ, following the example of Apostle St. Paul.[citation needed] He re-convened the Second Vatican Council, which was automatically closed with the death of John XXIII, and gave it priority and direction. After the council had concluded its work, Paul VI took charge of the interpretation and implementation of its mandates, often walking a thin line between the conflicting expectations of various groups within Catholicism. The magnitude and depth of the reforms affecting all fields of Church life during his pontificate exceeded similar reform policies of his predecessors and successors. Paul VI was a Marian devotee, speaking repeatedly to Marian congresses and mariological meetings, visiting Marian shrines and issuing three Marian encyclicals. Following his famous predecessor Saint Ambrose of Milan, he named Mary as the Mother of the Church during the Second Vatican Council. Paul VI sought dialogue with the world, with other Christians, other religions, and atheists, excluding nobody. He saw himself as a humble servant for a suffering humanity and demanded significant changes of the rich in North America and Europe in favour of the poor in the Third World. His positions on birth control, promulgated most famously in the 1968 encyclical Humanae vitae, and other political issues, were often controversial, especially in Western Europe and North America.
Pope Benedict XVI declared that the late pontiff lived a life of heroic virtue and conferred the title of Venerable upon him. Pope Francis beatified him on 19 October 2014 after the recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession. His liturgical feast is celebrated on the date of his birth on 26 September.
Upon his election to the papacy, Montini took the pontifical name Paul VI (the first to take the name "Paul" since 1605) to indicate a renewed worldwide mission to spread the message of Christ, following the example of Apostle St. Paul.[citation needed] He re-convened the Second Vatican Council, which was automatically closed with the death of John XXIII, and gave it priority and direction. After the council had concluded its work, Paul VI took charge of the interpretation and implementation of its mandates, often walking a thin line between the conflicting expectations of various groups within Catholicism. The magnitude and depth of the reforms affecting all fields of Church life during his pontificate exceeded similar reform policies of his predecessors and successors. Paul VI was a Marian devotee, speaking repeatedly to Marian congresses and mariological meetings, visiting Marian shrines and issuing three Marian encyclicals. Following his famous predecessor Saint Ambrose of Milan, he named Mary as the Mother of the Church during the Second Vatican Council. Paul VI sought dialogue with the world, with other Christians, other religions, and atheists, excluding nobody. He saw himself as a humble servant for a suffering humanity and demanded significant changes of the rich in North America and Europe in favour of the poor in the Third World. His positions on birth control, promulgated most famously in the 1968 encyclical Humanae vitae, and other political issues, were often controversial, especially in Western Europe and North America.
Pope Benedict XVI declared that the late pontiff lived a life of heroic virtue and conferred the title of Venerable upon him. Pope Francis beatified him on 19 October 2014 after the recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession. His liturgical feast is celebrated on the date of his birth on 26 September.
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October 25, 2013
Reading this prophetic document forty years after its initial publication, knowing the furor it caused then and especially in light of the wisdom we can now see proclaimed, I wonder if there is anything I can add in this review.
Of Human Life-Humanae Vitae warned of a number of severe social consequences which would result from the use of artificial methods of birth control. They are as follows:
1. Marital infidelity and a general lowering of moral standards
2. Less reverence due to women in one-on-one relationships
3. Power of procreation passing into the hands of the state/government and out of the hands of married couples
Who can honestly look at the world situation today and say that all three of these things have not come to pass? The divorce rate is up (or down) depending on who you ask when, but whatever the number, it's still too high when your child is the only one of his or her friends who has just two parents. As for the lowering of moral standards, there's hardly any dispute that 2 out of 5 children born outside of marriage – and that's not just teen pregnancies – indicates a rise in moral standards or that women are being reverenced by single parenting, whether or not they are the parent. If anything, it would seem to be evidence for a reciprocal lack of respect for the roles of husband and father as well as wife and mother.
Looking at how men and women are viewing each other, and failing to work out their differences, is it any wonder, we are letting governments do it for us? Thus far, outright procreative legislation limiting conceptions and birthrates is minimal; however, it seems world economic forces, availability of adequate health care, insurance regulations and other advocacy groups achieve the same end.
Given this dismal state of affairs, I would venture to say Pope Paul VI was one of the prophets of the 20th Century and I would strongly encourage everyone to read this document, especially if you are contemplating marriage. I know I wish I had read it much sooner!
Of Human Life-Humanae Vitae warned of a number of severe social consequences which would result from the use of artificial methods of birth control. They are as follows:
1. Marital infidelity and a general lowering of moral standards
2. Less reverence due to women in one-on-one relationships
3. Power of procreation passing into the hands of the state/government and out of the hands of married couples
Who can honestly look at the world situation today and say that all three of these things have not come to pass? The divorce rate is up (or down) depending on who you ask when, but whatever the number, it's still too high when your child is the only one of his or her friends who has just two parents. As for the lowering of moral standards, there's hardly any dispute that 2 out of 5 children born outside of marriage – and that's not just teen pregnancies – indicates a rise in moral standards or that women are being reverenced by single parenting, whether or not they are the parent. If anything, it would seem to be evidence for a reciprocal lack of respect for the roles of husband and father as well as wife and mother.
Looking at how men and women are viewing each other, and failing to work out their differences, is it any wonder, we are letting governments do it for us? Thus far, outright procreative legislation limiting conceptions and birthrates is minimal; however, it seems world economic forces, availability of adequate health care, insurance regulations and other advocacy groups achieve the same end.
Given this dismal state of affairs, I would venture to say Pope Paul VI was one of the prophets of the 20th Century and I would strongly encourage everyone to read this document, especially if you are contemplating marriage. I know I wish I had read it much sooner!
August 15, 2024
Reading the other reviews of Humanae Vitae, I feel like quite the odd man out... pretty much every other reviewer is coming at this from a place of faith and conservatism, because if you’re not Catholic or pro-life or just really interested in papal encyclicals, why on earth would you read Humanae Vitae anyway?
Well, because you’re trying to read a book from every country in the world and were hard-pressed to find anything for Vatican City. That’s why I read it, anyway.
So if you haven’t already guessed, I’m not Catholic. I’m Jewish by birth, but I don’t really identify with any religion, nor with that nebulous “spirituality”—the way I see it, what’s beyond or behind this life of mine is none of my business, and I don’t need anyone, regardless of what god or force they claim to be speaking for, telling me how to live that life so as to maximise my brownie points with their deity of choice. I’m unconcerned with questions of fate or the afterlife or our origin or divine morality or salvation. One life is enough, and I just want to spend my time on earth trying to make the best of it and ease the burdens of those around me, based on no other codes or commandments than my own.
With all that out of the way, we can start talking about this encyclical, which if you don’t know is a letter from the Pope to the bishops. They can be about pretty much anything, but this one, written in 1968, concerns birth and the regulation thereof. The 60s were a time of radical change and in the U.S. and elsewhere, women were starting to question sex-based oppression, gender roles, and the expectation that they, like their mothers, ought to stay at home and have lots of babies. Prophylaxis was becoming less of a rare and taboo thing. The sexual revolution was at hand. And the Catholic Church, of course, was none too happy.
This encyclical is part reaffirmation of Catholic ideals, part fearmongering, part entreaty. The syllogism at the heart of Humanae Vitae is as follows:
1. The purpose of marriage is the begetting of children according to “natural rhythms.”
2. Birth control prevents the begetting of children.
3. People should not use birth control as it interferes with the purpose of marriage, distancing said marriage from God’s divine will.
See, within the Church, sex is only allowed within a sanctioned marriage, with the ultimate goal of having children and becoming closer with one’s partner through this procreative act. I have no qualms about this, really—Catholics, like anybody in this country, have the right to practise their religion as they wish and to live by its tenets so long as they don’t hurt anybody or break any laws. And if Humanae Vitae simply reminded Catholic couples of the reasons they got married and reaffirmed the importance of marriage within Catholicism, then I’d be fine and dandy. What irks me, though, is that it goes a step further.
His Holiness cautions about the ruination that may await a society that chooses to embrace birth control and comprehensive sex education. These auguries are mostly vague and just ominous enough to scare any young Catholic man eyeing the condoms at the pharmacy, but they speak to something that has bothered me about Catholicism in all the literature I’ve read produced by its most faithful adherents.
It seems to have a terribly low idea of people.
Setting aside the whole “we’re all sinners” business, which rubs me the wrong way too, the Church seems to think that only a divinely-ordered code of morality is able to stop us from being terrible, cruel savages. And this encyclical reinforces that notion to a degree that really just angers and nauseates me.
I mean, jeepers. The implication that men would just become these bestial wretches if they had access to condoms, coupled with the total denial of female agency (a running theme in this piece) is, frankly, gross. Because it presupposes that the only thing keeping this in check is the fact that many men think sex is just for baby-making, but if that were to change, they wouldn’t be able to control themselves. That without some measure of asceticism and absolute fealty to the Church, humans could never achieve their full potential. That’s the really icky thing. The Catholic Church isn’t telling prospective adherents that Catholicism will enrich their lives. It’s telling them that without the framework of the Church to keep them from going astray, they’re doomed. And frankly, I find that despicable.
Also, fucking hell, separation of church and state, please! There are some really troubling statements here, such as:
I sincerely hope I’m never in a medical emergency at the mercy of a surgeon who places their faith, whatever that faith may be, above the demands of their profession. I don’t want a doctor who thinks Jesus is against euthanasia to deny it to my suffering relative. Similarly, Humanae Vitae reaffirms that all abortions are illicit, even those needed for therapeutic reasons, and I can’t help but think about how ridiculous that is. Not even because it’s anti-abortion and therefore I disagree with it, but because it’s a terrible argument for being anti-abortion. To deny a woman an abortion, force her to carry a pregnancy to term that might leave her sterile or seriously sick or even dead, in the name of no argument except “I think it’s what God would do”? Fuck that. Fuck anyone who wants the government to be run by the principles of their little religion. And Fuck Pope Paul VI’s fearmongering and regressive, cowardly ideas.
Humanae Vitae gets one star not because it is badly written, but because it has such a low opinion of humanity that it ultimately makes me sick. I have nothing but respect for anyone who follows Catholicism, but I can’t help but wonder if it isn’t just an especially elaborate method of that self-flagellation we humans seem to crave. My heart goes out to anyone who was raised in a tradition like this.
Read it for free here.
____________________
Global Challenge: Vatican City
Well, because you’re trying to read a book from every country in the world and were hard-pressed to find anything for Vatican City. That’s why I read it, anyway.
So if you haven’t already guessed, I’m not Catholic. I’m Jewish by birth, but I don’t really identify with any religion, nor with that nebulous “spirituality”—the way I see it, what’s beyond or behind this life of mine is none of my business, and I don’t need anyone, regardless of what god or force they claim to be speaking for, telling me how to live that life so as to maximise my brownie points with their deity of choice. I’m unconcerned with questions of fate or the afterlife or our origin or divine morality or salvation. One life is enough, and I just want to spend my time on earth trying to make the best of it and ease the burdens of those around me, based on no other codes or commandments than my own.
With all that out of the way, we can start talking about this encyclical, which if you don’t know is a letter from the Pope to the bishops. They can be about pretty much anything, but this one, written in 1968, concerns birth and the regulation thereof. The 60s were a time of radical change and in the U.S. and elsewhere, women were starting to question sex-based oppression, gender roles, and the expectation that they, like their mothers, ought to stay at home and have lots of babies. Prophylaxis was becoming less of a rare and taboo thing. The sexual revolution was at hand. And the Catholic Church, of course, was none too happy.
This encyclical is part reaffirmation of Catholic ideals, part fearmongering, part entreaty. The syllogism at the heart of Humanae Vitae is as follows:
1. The purpose of marriage is the begetting of children according to “natural rhythms.”
2. Birth control prevents the begetting of children.
3. People should not use birth control as it interferes with the purpose of marriage, distancing said marriage from God’s divine will.
See, within the Church, sex is only allowed within a sanctioned marriage, with the ultimate goal of having children and becoming closer with one’s partner through this procreative act. I have no qualms about this, really—Catholics, like anybody in this country, have the right to practise their religion as they wish and to live by its tenets so long as they don’t hurt anybody or break any laws. And if Humanae Vitae simply reminded Catholic couples of the reasons they got married and reaffirmed the importance of marriage within Catholicism, then I’d be fine and dandy. What irks me, though, is that it goes a step further.
His Holiness cautions about the ruination that may await a society that chooses to embrace birth control and comprehensive sex education. These auguries are mostly vague and just ominous enough to scare any young Catholic man eyeing the condoms at the pharmacy, but they speak to something that has bothered me about Catholicism in all the literature I’ve read produced by its most faithful adherents.
It seems to have a terribly low idea of people.
Setting aside the whole “we’re all sinners” business, which rubs me the wrong way too, the Church seems to think that only a divinely-ordered code of morality is able to stop us from being terrible, cruel savages. And this encyclical reinforces that notion to a degree that really just angers and nauseates me.
It is also to be feared that the man, growing used to the employment of anti-contraceptive practices, may finally lose respect for the woman and, no longer caring for her physical and psychological equilibrium, may come to the point of considering her as a mere instrument of selfish enjoyment, and no longer as his respected and beloved companion.
I mean, jeepers. The implication that men would just become these bestial wretches if they had access to condoms, coupled with the total denial of female agency (a running theme in this piece) is, frankly, gross. Because it presupposes that the only thing keeping this in check is the fact that many men think sex is just for baby-making, but if that were to change, they wouldn’t be able to control themselves. That without some measure of asceticism and absolute fealty to the Church, humans could never achieve their full potential. That’s the really icky thing. The Catholic Church isn’t telling prospective adherents that Catholicism will enrich their lives. It’s telling them that without the framework of the Church to keep them from going astray, they’re doomed. And frankly, I find that despicable.
Also, fucking hell, separation of church and state, please! There are some really troubling statements here, such as:
We hold those physicians and medical personnel in the highest esteem who, in the exercise of their profession, value above every human interest the superior demands of their Christian vocation.
I sincerely hope I’m never in a medical emergency at the mercy of a surgeon who places their faith, whatever that faith may be, above the demands of their profession. I don’t want a doctor who thinks Jesus is against euthanasia to deny it to my suffering relative. Similarly, Humanae Vitae reaffirms that all abortions are illicit, even those needed for therapeutic reasons, and I can’t help but think about how ridiculous that is. Not even because it’s anti-abortion and therefore I disagree with it, but because it’s a terrible argument for being anti-abortion. To deny a woman an abortion, force her to carry a pregnancy to term that might leave her sterile or seriously sick or even dead, in the name of no argument except “I think it’s what God would do”? Fuck that. Fuck anyone who wants the government to be run by the principles of their little religion. And Fuck Pope Paul VI’s fearmongering and regressive, cowardly ideas.
Humanae Vitae gets one star not because it is badly written, but because it has such a low opinion of humanity that it ultimately makes me sick. I have nothing but respect for anyone who follows Catholicism, but I can’t help but wonder if it isn’t just an especially elaborate method of that self-flagellation we humans seem to crave. My heart goes out to anyone who was raised in a tradition like this.
Read it for free here.
____________________
Global Challenge: Vatican City
December 19, 2025
Una de las encíclicas papales más famosas de Pablo VI, promulgada en 1968. En esta época fueron decisivos, por un lado, el auge del revolucionario y aperturista Concilio Vaticano II iniciado por su antecesor Juan XXIII y, por otra parte, nuevas corrientes y eventos seculares como la contracultura hippie, el feminismo, la Guerra Fría o los últimos coletazos del franquismo español.
Si no me equivoco, creo que ésta es la primera encíclica íntegra que leo de un pontífice católico. Esta primera ocasión también es especial y llamativa a la vez porque este documento no pertenece a ninguno de los tres últimos papados, con los que sí he coincidido en mis tiempos. La verdad es que escasas o ninguna vez he sentido interés en leer trabajos publicados por obispos de Roma porque no quería sobreponerlos o restarle atención a la base escrita del cristianismo, que es la Biblia. Además, considero que antes de leer a ningún autor cristiano, se debe de profundizar en el estudio de las Sagradas Escrituras para luego discernir si dicho escritor es mínimamente bíblico o no en lo que redacta. Sin embargo, últimamente me he motivado a iniciarme en estas lecturas para comprobar si son ciertas determinadas historias o acusaciones contra el catolicismo que he ido escuchando durante años desde fuentes no creyentes o posmodernas. De momento, por lo que me ha demostrado este primer texto pontifical que he leído, me estoy sorprendiendo gratamente para bien, y hasta estoy empezando a desmentir varios asuntos que me fueron contando a lo largo de mi relativamente corta existencia.
Metiéndonos de lleno en el asunto que nos ocupa, "Humanae vitae" es una encíclica en la que el papa Pablo VI, de nombre secular Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini (pontificado comprendido entre 1963 y 1978); habla abiertamente sobre el uso de métodos anticonceptivos dentro de una pareja o matrimonio, sin duda una cuestión controversial que la Iglesia Católica comenzó a discutir debido a los movimientos o sucesos históricos nombrados al comienzo de esta reseña, algo que el propio Pablo VI indica en su introducción.
Si tuviera que resumir el contenido del documento en varios prismas, serían los siguientes:
1. Pablo VI demuestra profundos conocimientos filosóficos, ético-morales y hasta científicos en la materia abordada. Montini utiliza términos como "ley natural", que desde el punto de vista cristiano está fundamentada en la procedencia divina, o "males mayores o menores" cuando plasma el debate de si el fin justifica los medios, algo en lo que él se muestra contrario. Es innegable que lo que nos vamos a encontrar en "Humanae vitae" es la defensa del matrimonio y la familia como instituciones monógamas, procreadoras de nuevas vidas y células en las que la sociedad se sustenta; todo esto sin dejar de lado el coito como expresión afectiva del amor en un propósito aparte. En cuanto a la ciencia, Montini alude al recurso de métodos anticonceptivos naturales, conocidos como Ogino-Knaus y temperatura basal, en el caso de que se quiera mantener relaciones sexuales sin que se produzca la concepción y sin necesidad de recurrir a una regulación artificial de la natalidad. Al principio, esto me desconcertó mucho porque desde que en mi época de instituto empecé a oír hablar con profundidad sobre estos temas, siempre se ha descartado radicalmente esta opción alegando poca efectividad y remiten directamente al empleo de anticonceptivos mecánicos (preservativos, DIU, parches), químicos (píldoras, geles espermicidas) o quirúrgicos (vasectomía, ligadura de trompas). Cuando después investigué sobre cómo llevar a cabo una anticoncepción natural mediante Ogino-Knaus y temperatura basal, me impacté al descubrir que, si se efectúa un buen y exhaustivo cálculo de los periodos no fértiles, el primer método tiene una efectividad del 80% y el segundo posee una tasa de fallos mucho menor que la del condón, concretamente de entre 0,3% y 3,1% en la temperatura basal contra el 15% de los preservativos. Por ahora, en lo único en lo que yo seguiría dudando de la eficacia del Ogino-Knaus o de la temperatura basal sería en el supuesto de que varíen las fechas de ovulación o de menstruación en la mujer, y ya no digamos en la prevención de enfermedades de transmisión sexual. Aunque según he podido leer últimamente, Ogino-Knaus y temperatura basal ha funcionado perfectamente para quienes sí buscaban un embarazo, y la clave para evitar las ETS sin anticonceptivos artificiales está en evitar la promiscuidad y consagrarse a una pareja estable y monógama con tal de no crear caldos de cultivo en los genitales, y más sabiendo que los anticonceptivos artificiales son incluso menos seguros que los naturales.
2. Se puede ser, como se dice coloquialmente, "abierto de mente" (en este contexto, la palabra adecuada sería "reformador") sin faltar a los principios cristianos fundamentales. Aunque lógicamente rechaza por completo el aborto o el uso de anticonceptivos artificiales; Pablo VI no niega la no-concepción siempre que ésta se produzca de un modo lo más natural posible (o sea, mantener relaciones sexuales durante los periodos infecundos), tampoco impone tener un número mínimo de hijos, ni pasa por alto las circunstancias que impedirían a un matrimonio alumbrar y criar más o menos vástagos; aunque proponga como soluciones unas alternativas que hoy en día se considerarían anticuadas. Además, me ha sorprendido mucho una frase escrita por Montini en esta encíclica que incluso podríamos considerar mínimamente feminista: "Podría también temerse que el hombre, (...), acabase por perder el respeto a la mujer y, sin preocuparse más de su equilibrio físico y psicológico, llegase a considerarla como simple instrumento de goce egoístico y no como a compañera, respetada y amada". Es decir, que a lo largo de la encíclica, el pontífice pone buena parte del peso del matrimonio en el respeto igualitario entre ambos cónyuges y en el buen trato de los hombres hacia las mujeres, haciendo más hincapié en los primeros sabiendo que han sido los principales sostenes y guías de la familia durante la mayor parte de la historia. Esto es respaldado, dicho sea de paso, con pasajes bíblicos.
3. En relación con los puntos anteriores, Pablo VI fue un visionario adelantado a su época al anticipar muchas de las realidades que estamos experimentando actualmente debido a la excesiva y progresiva permisión del libertinaje afectivo-sexual. En nuestros días tenemos una sociedad occidental tan hedonista que incluso se ha corrompido la propia institución del matrimonio por la promoción y la moda del liberalismo o las "relaciones abiertas" en la sexualidad correspondiente a esta unidad, por no hablar de la práctica de sexo casual e inestable desde la juventud bajo la premisa de que "El sexo se usa por el placer de disfrutar, independientemente de la forma". Buena parte de la justificación de esta mentalidad, tal y como advierte Montini, viene sostenida por el uso de la anticoncepción artificial. ¿Cuántas veces hemos escuchado aquello de: "Si vas a practicar sexo con gente a la que no conoces y no quieres tener hijos, por lo menos que no se te olvide llevarte y utilizar preservativos"? Una crítica que Montini también extiende al consumo de pornografía o materiales similares, e insta a las autoridades públicas, entre ellos los sanitarios, a restringirlos. Como si Pablo VI hubiese predicho el futuro, se ha comprobado que en este tiempo, el visionado de contenido pornográfico ha aumentado considerablemente, especialmente en menores de edad, quienes se inician en él sobre los 12 años de edad. Más aún, yo he llegado a ver incluso a sexólogas recomendando o al menos permitiendo ver pornografía para mayor excitación y satisfacción sexual, tanto a individuos (también menores) como a parejas. Una de las consecuencias más notables de ello, tal y como observamos en encuestas recientes, es que la pornografía distorsiona la sana percepción de la sexualidad y genera adicciones severas que destrozan otras facetas de la cotidianidad.
Como información adicional, "Humanae vitae" fue publicado el mismo año que comenzó a gestarse la secta cismática y herética del Palmar de Troya. Los palmarianos reconocen a casi todos los pontífices católicos romanos hasta Pablo VI, a quien consideran antecesor directo de Clemente Domínguez (antipapa Gregorio XVII). Desde Domínguez como papa palmariano autoproclamado, sus adeptos pasaron a ser los reaccionarios de extrema derecha que han sido hasta ahora contra el Vaticano de a partir de Juan Pablo I. Pues resulta que al leer esta encíclica, acabé muerta de la risa por la siguiente conclusión: los palmarianos son tan poco atentos y avispados que, si de verdad conocieran a los católicos romanos que sí admiten como predecesores suyos, incluido Pablo VI, el Palmar de Troya nunca habría sido lo ultra conservador que es desde casi siempre. O igualmente cabe la posibilidad de que sus jerarcas engañen a propósito a los adeptos palmarianos en este sentido para mantenerlos sometidos, como sabemos perfectamente que hacen en otros ámbitos.
Le recomiendo "Humanae vitae" a cualquier católico o no creyente que desee profundizar en la investigación de la historia reciente del Vaticano, con independencia del propósito del lector; o para desmontar falsos mitos creados por el posmodernismo en torno a su Iglesia, sin evadir un cristianismo básico. También sirve hasta para refutar a cultos destructivos u ultrafundamentalistas como la mencionada Iglesia Palmariana, entre otras.
FUENTES COMPLEMENTARIAS DE INTERÉS:
https://web.archive.org/web/201502130...
https://web.archive.org/web/201407161...
https://www.unav.edu/web/unidad-de-hu...
http://dadun.unav.edu/retrieve/10198/...
https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/....
https://www.ginefiv.com/blog/calcula-...
Si no me equivoco, creo que ésta es la primera encíclica íntegra que leo de un pontífice católico. Esta primera ocasión también es especial y llamativa a la vez porque este documento no pertenece a ninguno de los tres últimos papados, con los que sí he coincidido en mis tiempos. La verdad es que escasas o ninguna vez he sentido interés en leer trabajos publicados por obispos de Roma porque no quería sobreponerlos o restarle atención a la base escrita del cristianismo, que es la Biblia. Además, considero que antes de leer a ningún autor cristiano, se debe de profundizar en el estudio de las Sagradas Escrituras para luego discernir si dicho escritor es mínimamente bíblico o no en lo que redacta. Sin embargo, últimamente me he motivado a iniciarme en estas lecturas para comprobar si son ciertas determinadas historias o acusaciones contra el catolicismo que he ido escuchando durante años desde fuentes no creyentes o posmodernas. De momento, por lo que me ha demostrado este primer texto pontifical que he leído, me estoy sorprendiendo gratamente para bien, y hasta estoy empezando a desmentir varios asuntos que me fueron contando a lo largo de mi relativamente corta existencia.
Metiéndonos de lleno en el asunto que nos ocupa, "Humanae vitae" es una encíclica en la que el papa Pablo VI, de nombre secular Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini (pontificado comprendido entre 1963 y 1978); habla abiertamente sobre el uso de métodos anticonceptivos dentro de una pareja o matrimonio, sin duda una cuestión controversial que la Iglesia Católica comenzó a discutir debido a los movimientos o sucesos históricos nombrados al comienzo de esta reseña, algo que el propio Pablo VI indica en su introducción.
Si tuviera que resumir el contenido del documento en varios prismas, serían los siguientes:
1. Pablo VI demuestra profundos conocimientos filosóficos, ético-morales y hasta científicos en la materia abordada. Montini utiliza términos como "ley natural", que desde el punto de vista cristiano está fundamentada en la procedencia divina, o "males mayores o menores" cuando plasma el debate de si el fin justifica los medios, algo en lo que él se muestra contrario. Es innegable que lo que nos vamos a encontrar en "Humanae vitae" es la defensa del matrimonio y la familia como instituciones monógamas, procreadoras de nuevas vidas y células en las que la sociedad se sustenta; todo esto sin dejar de lado el coito como expresión afectiva del amor en un propósito aparte. En cuanto a la ciencia, Montini alude al recurso de métodos anticonceptivos naturales, conocidos como Ogino-Knaus y temperatura basal, en el caso de que se quiera mantener relaciones sexuales sin que se produzca la concepción y sin necesidad de recurrir a una regulación artificial de la natalidad. Al principio, esto me desconcertó mucho porque desde que en mi época de instituto empecé a oír hablar con profundidad sobre estos temas, siempre se ha descartado radicalmente esta opción alegando poca efectividad y remiten directamente al empleo de anticonceptivos mecánicos (preservativos, DIU, parches), químicos (píldoras, geles espermicidas) o quirúrgicos (vasectomía, ligadura de trompas). Cuando después investigué sobre cómo llevar a cabo una anticoncepción natural mediante Ogino-Knaus y temperatura basal, me impacté al descubrir que, si se efectúa un buen y exhaustivo cálculo de los periodos no fértiles, el primer método tiene una efectividad del 80% y el segundo posee una tasa de fallos mucho menor que la del condón, concretamente de entre 0,3% y 3,1% en la temperatura basal contra el 15% de los preservativos. Por ahora, en lo único en lo que yo seguiría dudando de la eficacia del Ogino-Knaus o de la temperatura basal sería en el supuesto de que varíen las fechas de ovulación o de menstruación en la mujer, y ya no digamos en la prevención de enfermedades de transmisión sexual. Aunque según he podido leer últimamente, Ogino-Knaus y temperatura basal ha funcionado perfectamente para quienes sí buscaban un embarazo, y la clave para evitar las ETS sin anticonceptivos artificiales está en evitar la promiscuidad y consagrarse a una pareja estable y monógama con tal de no crear caldos de cultivo en los genitales, y más sabiendo que los anticonceptivos artificiales son incluso menos seguros que los naturales.
2. Se puede ser, como se dice coloquialmente, "abierto de mente" (en este contexto, la palabra adecuada sería "reformador") sin faltar a los principios cristianos fundamentales. Aunque lógicamente rechaza por completo el aborto o el uso de anticonceptivos artificiales; Pablo VI no niega la no-concepción siempre que ésta se produzca de un modo lo más natural posible (o sea, mantener relaciones sexuales durante los periodos infecundos), tampoco impone tener un número mínimo de hijos, ni pasa por alto las circunstancias que impedirían a un matrimonio alumbrar y criar más o menos vástagos; aunque proponga como soluciones unas alternativas que hoy en día se considerarían anticuadas. Además, me ha sorprendido mucho una frase escrita por Montini en esta encíclica que incluso podríamos considerar mínimamente feminista: "Podría también temerse que el hombre, (...), acabase por perder el respeto a la mujer y, sin preocuparse más de su equilibrio físico y psicológico, llegase a considerarla como simple instrumento de goce egoístico y no como a compañera, respetada y amada". Es decir, que a lo largo de la encíclica, el pontífice pone buena parte del peso del matrimonio en el respeto igualitario entre ambos cónyuges y en el buen trato de los hombres hacia las mujeres, haciendo más hincapié en los primeros sabiendo que han sido los principales sostenes y guías de la familia durante la mayor parte de la historia. Esto es respaldado, dicho sea de paso, con pasajes bíblicos.
3. En relación con los puntos anteriores, Pablo VI fue un visionario adelantado a su época al anticipar muchas de las realidades que estamos experimentando actualmente debido a la excesiva y progresiva permisión del libertinaje afectivo-sexual. En nuestros días tenemos una sociedad occidental tan hedonista que incluso se ha corrompido la propia institución del matrimonio por la promoción y la moda del liberalismo o las "relaciones abiertas" en la sexualidad correspondiente a esta unidad, por no hablar de la práctica de sexo casual e inestable desde la juventud bajo la premisa de que "El sexo se usa por el placer de disfrutar, independientemente de la forma". Buena parte de la justificación de esta mentalidad, tal y como advierte Montini, viene sostenida por el uso de la anticoncepción artificial. ¿Cuántas veces hemos escuchado aquello de: "Si vas a practicar sexo con gente a la que no conoces y no quieres tener hijos, por lo menos que no se te olvide llevarte y utilizar preservativos"? Una crítica que Montini también extiende al consumo de pornografía o materiales similares, e insta a las autoridades públicas, entre ellos los sanitarios, a restringirlos. Como si Pablo VI hubiese predicho el futuro, se ha comprobado que en este tiempo, el visionado de contenido pornográfico ha aumentado considerablemente, especialmente en menores de edad, quienes se inician en él sobre los 12 años de edad. Más aún, yo he llegado a ver incluso a sexólogas recomendando o al menos permitiendo ver pornografía para mayor excitación y satisfacción sexual, tanto a individuos (también menores) como a parejas. Una de las consecuencias más notables de ello, tal y como observamos en encuestas recientes, es que la pornografía distorsiona la sana percepción de la sexualidad y genera adicciones severas que destrozan otras facetas de la cotidianidad.
Como información adicional, "Humanae vitae" fue publicado el mismo año que comenzó a gestarse la secta cismática y herética del Palmar de Troya. Los palmarianos reconocen a casi todos los pontífices católicos romanos hasta Pablo VI, a quien consideran antecesor directo de Clemente Domínguez (antipapa Gregorio XVII). Desde Domínguez como papa palmariano autoproclamado, sus adeptos pasaron a ser los reaccionarios de extrema derecha que han sido hasta ahora contra el Vaticano de a partir de Juan Pablo I. Pues resulta que al leer esta encíclica, acabé muerta de la risa por la siguiente conclusión: los palmarianos son tan poco atentos y avispados que, si de verdad conocieran a los católicos romanos que sí admiten como predecesores suyos, incluido Pablo VI, el Palmar de Troya nunca habría sido lo ultra conservador que es desde casi siempre. O igualmente cabe la posibilidad de que sus jerarcas engañen a propósito a los adeptos palmarianos en este sentido para mantenerlos sometidos, como sabemos perfectamente que hacen en otros ámbitos.
Le recomiendo "Humanae vitae" a cualquier católico o no creyente que desee profundizar en la investigación de la historia reciente del Vaticano, con independencia del propósito del lector; o para desmontar falsos mitos creados por el posmodernismo en torno a su Iglesia, sin evadir un cristianismo básico. También sirve hasta para refutar a cultos destructivos u ultrafundamentalistas como la mencionada Iglesia Palmariana, entre otras.
FUENTES COMPLEMENTARIAS DE INTERÉS:
https://web.archive.org/web/201502130...
https://web.archive.org/web/201407161...
https://www.unav.edu/web/unidad-de-hu...
http://dadun.unav.edu/retrieve/10198/...
https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/....
https://www.ginefiv.com/blog/calcula-...
October 9, 2020
An excellent and bold reiteration on the Church’s age old stance on marital love - that being open to life is of upmost necessity, and the best way to honour both God and one’s spouse.
My favourite excerpt is when St. Paul VI exhorts married couples who are open to life as a type of apostolate and evangelistic calling to those who see contraception as a non-issue. Surely the happiness and holiness that comes from chastity in marriage is a great witness to the world around us.
My favourite excerpt is when St. Paul VI exhorts married couples who are open to life as a type of apostolate and evangelistic calling to those who see contraception as a non-issue. Surely the happiness and holiness that comes from chastity in marriage is a great witness to the world around us.
September 23, 2016
This was my first go at a papal encyclical, and it wasn't nearly as intimidating as I imagined it would be. Don't get me wrong, it's not what I'd recommend for light reading, but it was very accessible. It was clear and concise. It's also very short, so really, if you haven't read it DO SO!
I won't promise you'll like it. Most people really hate godly teachings against contraception, but it's Truth, plain and simple. Open your heart to these teachings! People need to hear and understand this, so they can better embrace their dignity as a human and a child of God.
I won't promise you'll like it. Most people really hate godly teachings against contraception, but it's Truth, plain and simple. Open your heart to these teachings! People need to hear and understand this, so they can better embrace their dignity as a human and a child of God.
July 19, 2012
It's interesting to see how highly this enecyclical by Pope Paul VI is rated since it has been pilloried since its promulgation in 1968. The people who were so vehemently dissenting from Humanae Vitae (the encyclical's Latin title) are still stuck in 1968 while the Church and those who embraced her teachings, so often critisized as being "old fashioned" or "medieval" (as if that has any bearing on whether they are true or not), are moving forward.
Pope Paul is clear and concise in his presentation of the Church's teaching regarding human sexuality and contraception. He was absolutely prescient, if not prophetic, about the results of a widespread acceptance of contraception and the impact it would have on society(he predicted there would be Marital infidelity and a general lowering of moral standards, less reverence due to women in relationships, and government intrusion on procreation and population control) . I only hope that more people actually read this document before they decide the Church is "out of touch."
Pope Paul is clear and concise in his presentation of the Church's teaching regarding human sexuality and contraception. He was absolutely prescient, if not prophetic, about the results of a widespread acceptance of contraception and the impact it would have on society(he predicted there would be Marital infidelity and a general lowering of moral standards, less reverence due to women in relationships, and government intrusion on procreation and population control) . I only hope that more people actually read this document before they decide the Church is "out of touch."
September 25, 2022
Clear and compelling, Saint Paul VI's warnings about the consequences of contraception have been exactly borne out in the 50 years since he wrote this. He clearly and succinctly explains the Church's teaching and why it teaches against contraception. The introductory passages show the tremendous pressure Saint Paul VI faced to betray perennial Catholic teaching and endorse the use of contraception - and reading the encyclical gives one a strong sense of Paul VI's exemplary courage and faithfulness.
One sad note: it is distressing to read Saint Paul VI's appeal to bishops and priests to faithfully preach and defend the Church's teaching, knowing how many did the exact opposite. There were many faithless men in the Church, and some still remain.
One sad note: it is distressing to read Saint Paul VI's appeal to bishops and priests to faithfully preach and defend the Church's teaching, knowing how many did the exact opposite. There were many faithless men in the Church, and some still remain.
May 12, 2018
The encyclical which Pope Paul VI has promulgated on July 25, 1968, celebrates its jubilee
year now. This encyclical has still validity in our present world where it moves towards the
more easy way of life. People lose the sense of sin in their lives they need a life where God
has a small part to do. The Church for them is merely a place to receive some sacraments.
The real value of sacrament are vanishing, at this juncture, this document makes its relevance
by calling back to love of God once more. This document presents the value of marital
relationship and it warns that this value should not take away from the use of artificial
contraceptives. By avoiding such practices the couples will enhance a love which God
provide them by the sacrament of matrimony which is a primordial sacrament.
year now. This encyclical has still validity in our present world where it moves towards the
more easy way of life. People lose the sense of sin in their lives they need a life where God
has a small part to do. The Church for them is merely a place to receive some sacraments.
The real value of sacrament are vanishing, at this juncture, this document makes its relevance
by calling back to love of God once more. This document presents the value of marital
relationship and it warns that this value should not take away from the use of artificial
contraceptives. By avoiding such practices the couples will enhance a love which God
provide them by the sacrament of matrimony which is a primordial sacrament.
July 17, 2024
Brief, articulate, impactful.
You can find it online on the Vatican website!
You can find it online on the Vatican website!
December 29, 2014
Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini was the man who succeeded Pope John XXIII and continued and closed the Second Vatican Council. He chose the name Paul VI because he wanted to continue to spread the message of Christ worldwide. Like a lot of recent popes, he had a devotion to the Virgin Mary and issued encyclicals on her like Christi Matri and Signum Magnum. Perhaps his most important encyclical was called Humanae Vitae. It discusses married love, responsible parenthood, and rejection of most forms of birth control.
Ignatius Press recently released this encyclical, On Human Life, in paperback format. In addition to this book including the entire encyclical, there is a foreword by Mary Eberstadt (author of Adam and Eve After the Pill), afterword by James Hitchcock (author of History of the Catholic Church), and a postscript by Jennifer Fulwiler (author of Something Other than God). The encyclical itself does not need reviewing. It has been around for 45 years and has received a lot of commentary on it, including the book Why Humanae Vitae Was Right.
The foreword by Eberstadt was spot on and a perfect lead in to the text. It showed exactly how accurate Humanae Vitae proved to be. The afterword was sobering in that it showed how many priests immediately rejected the teaching on artificial contraception and said it was okay for spouses to use it. There was a bit of hope in the end, and that was found in Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and numerous laity who are promoting this encyclical. This is a very important document and one that every person (not just every Catholic) could benefit to read. The only thing that I would change about this edition is making it a hardcover, like Ignatius Press did for Pope Benedict XVI's encyclicals.
Ignatius Press recently released this encyclical, On Human Life, in paperback format. In addition to this book including the entire encyclical, there is a foreword by Mary Eberstadt (author of Adam and Eve After the Pill), afterword by James Hitchcock (author of History of the Catholic Church), and a postscript by Jennifer Fulwiler (author of Something Other than God). The encyclical itself does not need reviewing. It has been around for 45 years and has received a lot of commentary on it, including the book Why Humanae Vitae Was Right.
The foreword by Eberstadt was spot on and a perfect lead in to the text. It showed exactly how accurate Humanae Vitae proved to be. The afterword was sobering in that it showed how many priests immediately rejected the teaching on artificial contraception and said it was okay for spouses to use it. There was a bit of hope in the end, and that was found in Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and numerous laity who are promoting this encyclical. This is a very important document and one that every person (not just every Catholic) could benefit to read. The only thing that I would change about this edition is making it a hardcover, like Ignatius Press did for Pope Benedict XVI's encyclicals.
January 11, 2018
Magnífica encíclica sobre la temática del uso de anticonceptivos dentro de la vida conyugal. Se lee muy fácil, y la exposición es clara una vez llegado el núcleo del problema.
Como puntos de especial interés, aquellos en los que (1) se describe la verdad del amor humano, cómo ha de ser un amor desinteresado entre los cónyuges, (2) se establece una diferenciación clara y bien razonada entre los llamados "métodos naturales" y los métodos anticonceptivos, con un razonamiento sencillo y profundo sobre las implicaciones morales de unos y otros, y (3) la denuncia profética de que la separación de sexo y procreación llevaría a la separación entre sexo y amor (patente en la sociedad actual).
Absolutamente recomendable, para leer y releer.
Como puntos de especial interés, aquellos en los que (1) se describe la verdad del amor humano, cómo ha de ser un amor desinteresado entre los cónyuges, (2) se establece una diferenciación clara y bien razonada entre los llamados "métodos naturales" y los métodos anticonceptivos, con un razonamiento sencillo y profundo sobre las implicaciones morales de unos y otros, y (3) la denuncia profética de que la separación de sexo y procreación llevaría a la separación entre sexo y amor (patente en la sociedad actual).
Absolutamente recomendable, para leer y releer.
April 20, 2019
#CathLit2019 challenge: A book by a pope
This papal encyclical sparked a lot of great discussion for my Catholic book club. It was both interesting and disheartening to see the prophetic nature of much of what Pope Paul VI wrote, but I also found it really encouraging to reflect on church teaching about human life, especially as a parent. The line that stood out for me the most is: "The Church was not the author of the moral law and therefore cannot be its arbiter." I think it's good to remember that the Church is not here to create arbitrary laws, but to uphold the laws it was given by Jesus Christ.
This papal encyclical sparked a lot of great discussion for my Catholic book club. It was both interesting and disheartening to see the prophetic nature of much of what Pope Paul VI wrote, but I also found it really encouraging to reflect on church teaching about human life, especially as a parent. The line that stood out for me the most is: "The Church was not the author of the moral law and therefore cannot be its arbiter." I think it's good to remember that the Church is not here to create arbitrary laws, but to uphold the laws it was given by Jesus Christ.
December 3, 2015
I'm very much familiar with Humanae Vitae as it crops up so frequently during discussions on pro-life topics. But only now I got to read the original document in its entirety. HV is amazing, especially considering its brevity (only 9 PDF pages, 11 including the reference list). The language is clear and leaves no ambiguous interpretation. All potential holes and traps are closed. People say it's prophetic—I couldn't agree more. This is no doubt one of the most important encyclicals in the history of the Church.
March 18, 2013
Unconvincing.
With the election of a new pope, I became curious about the dogma behind the Catholic Church's positions on abortion, contraception, and sex. Many friends have cited or mentioned this as a Catholic classic on the topic.
It fell short of my expectations. I was not expecting to be convinced, but I was hoping to at least be somewhat challenged by the ideas and seduced, as it were, by the poetry or grace of the writing.
It failed on both counts.
The tone is reminiscent of 12th-century "proofs" of God's existence we had to read in Western Civ., and suffers from some of the same logical flaws: tautology, faulty analogies, and unconvincing slippery slope arguments. The acceptability of NFP vs the outright condemnation of contraception is just one example.
"By their fruits ye shall know them" is especially apt here. Practicing these principles without exception leads to some horrible fruit, such as the pointless deaths of women with dying fetuses, or the removal of a woman's ovary to avoid "directly killing" an ectopic pregnancy.
There might be more convincing theological arguments for the Catholic church's positions on these topics, but this encyclical wasn't it.
With the election of a new pope, I became curious about the dogma behind the Catholic Church's positions on abortion, contraception, and sex. Many friends have cited or mentioned this as a Catholic classic on the topic.
It fell short of my expectations. I was not expecting to be convinced, but I was hoping to at least be somewhat challenged by the ideas and seduced, as it were, by the poetry or grace of the writing.
It failed on both counts.
The tone is reminiscent of 12th-century "proofs" of God's existence we had to read in Western Civ., and suffers from some of the same logical flaws: tautology, faulty analogies, and unconvincing slippery slope arguments. The acceptability of NFP vs the outright condemnation of contraception is just one example.
"By their fruits ye shall know them" is especially apt here. Practicing these principles without exception leads to some horrible fruit, such as the pointless deaths of women with dying fetuses, or the removal of a woman's ovary to avoid "directly killing" an ectopic pregnancy.
There might be more convincing theological arguments for the Catholic church's positions on these topics, but this encyclical wasn't it.
October 5, 2024
Una encíclica que estuvo rodeada de polémica cuando se publicó, pero que 56 años después de su publicación, sigue siendo de actualidad. En el siglo actual, vemos tristemente que lo que profetizó San Pablo VI ha acabado ocurriendo en nuestra sociedad. Podemos cerrar los ojos a estas verdades, pero eso no cambia los hechos.
Me ha gustado la belleza con la que describe el sacramento del matrimonio, el amor total, y a los esposos como colaboradores de Dios.
Me ha gustado la belleza con la que describe el sacramento del matrimonio, el amor total, y a los esposos como colaboradores de Dios.
November 28, 2011
This encyclical is astonishing in the contrast of its brevity and consequences, and also in its absolute refusal to make concessions to the popular morality of the modern world. Priests, seminarians, and theologians vocally rebelled in response to its publication in 1968, but time has vindicated it and proved its warnings true.
March 12, 2016
Wonderful explanation of Catholic teaching regarding marriage and contraception. Highly recommended (although for mature readers, and all that sort of thing). Pope Paul VI was an excellent writer and a great man--and ever since I first read this encyclical as a teenager, I've regarded him almost as a personal friend. It's that good.
April 23, 2014
Although this was published in 1968 this brief work is even more relevant than when it was written if that is possible.
September 12, 2018
I read this along with a study guide called “Celebrating Humanae Vitae” by Cindy Morales.
October 31, 2025
This may be my top read of 2025. This is an encyclical letter, a short 13-page document of the Catholic Church, written by the pope in 1968 in response to the rise of hormonal birth control methods. It is clear, informative, and empowering to read as a faithful Catholic - but I would encourage anyone to read it who is curious what exactly Catholics believe about sex and family planning!
A key point is that responsible parenthood (sex without artificial birth-control) keeps unified what nature has brought together: the transmitting of life and the fostering of married love.
The beauty of this is that the use of natural family planning (abstinence during peak fertility days of a woman’s cycle to avoid having more children) requires self-discipline, but this self-discipline is supported by communication and non-sexual intimacy which develops a marriage and brings spouses closer together in ways that go beyond physicality.
Pope Paul VI speaks on that in the letter here:
“The right and lawful ordering of birth demands, first of all, that spouses fully recognize and value the true blessings of family life and that they acquire complete mastery over themselves and their emotions… far from being a hindrance to their love of one another, transforms it by giving it a more truly human character... For it brings to family life abundant fruits of tranquility and peace. It helps in solving difficulties of other kinds. It fosters in husband and wife thoughtfulness and loving consideration for one another. It helps them to repel inordinate self-love, which is the opposite of charity. It arouses in them a consciousness of their responsibilities.”
His words resonate because I have found them to be true in my own marriage. Always happy to talk about this topic more!
A key point is that responsible parenthood (sex without artificial birth-control) keeps unified what nature has brought together: the transmitting of life and the fostering of married love.
The beauty of this is that the use of natural family planning (abstinence during peak fertility days of a woman’s cycle to avoid having more children) requires self-discipline, but this self-discipline is supported by communication and non-sexual intimacy which develops a marriage and brings spouses closer together in ways that go beyond physicality.
Pope Paul VI speaks on that in the letter here:
“The right and lawful ordering of birth demands, first of all, that spouses fully recognize and value the true blessings of family life and that they acquire complete mastery over themselves and their emotions… far from being a hindrance to their love of one another, transforms it by giving it a more truly human character... For it brings to family life abundant fruits of tranquility and peace. It helps in solving difficulties of other kinds. It fosters in husband and wife thoughtfulness and loving consideration for one another. It helps them to repel inordinate self-love, which is the opposite of charity. It arouses in them a consciousness of their responsibilities.”
His words resonate because I have found them to be true in my own marriage. Always happy to talk about this topic more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2020
the church re: contraceptive methods
*little boy crying gun meme.jpg*
*little boy crying gun meme.jpg*
July 3, 2018
Pope Paul VI wrote this encyclical on the transmission of human life in 1968 as a result/analysis of a commission instituted by Pope John XXIII in 1963. And it holds 100% true and valid today--nearly 50 years later.
It's a short encyclical that took me too long to get to.
He notes various changes in science and society that seem to most have led humans to want to regulate bodies with intelligence and will instead of natural rhythms of individual bodies.
He then reiterates the authority the Catholic Church has in interpreting natural moral law.
He explains what artificial birth control does to a person's vocation and responsibilities to that vocation. Such direct interruption of the natural cycle (and abortion is included in this) is immoral.
I knew that infertility didn't negate marital sex, but I didn't know it was explained here (not that I'm surprised).
I gasped aloud at the second paragraph of Section 17.
Putting faith in technology betrays personal responsibility.
Pope Paul VI provides pastoral directives that he knows are difficult, but he reiterates that meeting expectations required grace and strength of God.
Like most anything else in life.
I like that there is a call to scientists and doctors to understand moral obligations to society.
It's a short encyclical that took me too long to get to.
He notes various changes in science and society that seem to most have led humans to want to regulate bodies with intelligence and will instead of natural rhythms of individual bodies.
He then reiterates the authority the Catholic Church has in interpreting natural moral law.
He explains what artificial birth control does to a person's vocation and responsibilities to that vocation. Such direct interruption of the natural cycle (and abortion is included in this) is immoral.
I knew that infertility didn't negate marital sex, but I didn't know it was explained here (not that I'm surprised).
I gasped aloud at the second paragraph of Section 17.
Putting faith in technology betrays personal responsibility.
Pope Paul VI provides pastoral directives that he knows are difficult, but he reiterates that meeting expectations required grace and strength of God.
Like most anything else in life.
I like that there is a call to scientists and doctors to understand moral obligations to society.
December 31, 2018
A obra mais importante do, agora santo, Papa Paulo VI, explicitando o magistério da Igreja sobre a vida e o uso da potência reprodutiva, no duríssimo ano de 1968.
Os trechos sobre o abuso da contracepção pelos governos são proféticos.
Os mesmos ensinamentos desta encíclica já estavam contidos na Casti Connubii, de menos de quarenta anos antes. Mas reiterar o magistério da Igreja naquele período de crise pós-conciliar foi um ato de superior coragem do Sucessor de Pedro, que o fez mesmo contra o parecer da Comissão de Notáveis convocada pelo Vaticano para debater o tema e contra a maioria dos bispos que se manifestaram, por cartas.
Que terrível solidão moral! Era mesmo a hora e a vez de Montini.
Os trechos sobre o abuso da contracepção pelos governos são proféticos.
Os mesmos ensinamentos desta encíclica já estavam contidos na Casti Connubii, de menos de quarenta anos antes. Mas reiterar o magistério da Igreja naquele período de crise pós-conciliar foi um ato de superior coragem do Sucessor de Pedro, que o fez mesmo contra o parecer da Comissão de Notáveis convocada pelo Vaticano para debater o tema e contra a maioria dos bispos que se manifestaram, por cartas.
Que terrível solidão moral! Era mesmo a hora e a vez de Montini.
July 14, 2017
Finally read the classic encyclical on conjugal love and the rearing of children. Many of Paul VI's judgments have been vindicated since it's writing almost 50 years ago. A fascinating argument, not to be hastily dismissed.
This edition also has a very good foreword by Mary Eberstadt, whose work on contraception and the sexual revolution was paradigm shifting for me. I know now that work wasn't original to her, but had a rich tradition in Catholic social teaching.
This edition also has a very good foreword by Mary Eberstadt, whose work on contraception and the sexual revolution was paradigm shifting for me. I know now that work wasn't original to her, but had a rich tradition in Catholic social teaching.
August 8, 2018
This Encyclical has hit its 50th birthday this year. And wow. How prophetic this document has turned out to be on the negative ramifications of birth control. A wonderful read and more important today than ever in light of #metoo and other movements similar.
May 29, 2018
Prophetic. Beautiful. Merciful. Abiding in the Truth.
January 25, 2020
Truly prophetic.
April 7, 2025
Humanae Vitae was written by Pope Paul VI in 1968. It was written in response to the birth control pill. Disapproving the use of the Pill is one of the more controversial beliefs of the Catholic church. I wouldn't have appreciated this without an education in Theology of the Body. I also didn't have an appreciation for marriage before learning about Christian marriage, but the more I learn about it, the more I see it as a genuine possibility in my future- even with divorce rates and whatnot.
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