Today, July 25, we mark the 50th anniversary of the release of the encyclical Humanae Vitae (July 25, 1968). Too often, this document has been vilified and ignored, but I find it freeing and prophetic. Blessed Paul VI speaks of the great dignity of conjugal love and bearing of children. While he rejected a commission that proposed a change in the tradition of the Church regarding artificial means of birth control, he did not do so lightly. He lays out the doctrinal framework that based on the nature of God’s love, which is open and total. Because of this, the love of husband and wife is also to be open and total, and it is expressed in unitive and procreative ways. He recommends that couples practice natural family planning - if they have reasons tempered in justice, they may refrain from sexual activity in their mutually fertile times (this is not the rhythm method, but rather scientifically verified means). In chapter 17, he prophetically writes that artificial contraception opens the way to marital infidelity, lowering of moral standards, objectification of women, and forced contraception on the part of nations. While not explicitly mentioning abortion, one sees readily his concern there. He acknowledges that this is not and easily accepted position. He gives some antidotes - he reminds us of the value of self-discipline and chastity.
This encyclical is one of the building blocks on which St. John Paul II based his Theology of the Body, which gives a wider understanding of who we are as human beings, made in God’s image and likeness. As we see the whole nature of sex, sexuality, gender, and all sorts of questions that could not have even been thought of 50 years ago, I encourage every adult to read it and take Blessed Paul VI’s words to heart.
Recently, reports broke of a high ranking Catholic, now retired, who was abusing minors and was in a number of homosexual situations. These included abuse of seminarians of his own diocese. Sadly, he had a hand in the US Church’s response of the sexual misconduct of priests in 2003 (the Dallas Charter). For the record, I had met this man in passing as he was the celebrant for a Mass I attended about 16 years ago. The stories of the men are sickening - how the person in question forced himself on the others, and how he justified it at the time. Of course, now he denies any wrong doing.
I am deeply convinced that not only these stories of abuse and even the #MeToo movement is the aftermath of failing to take the encyclical’s prophetic call to heart. Danger lurks in the shadows of separation, and we have falsely separated marriage, sexual expression, procreation, union, and morality. While the drafters of the 2003 Charter for the Protection of Youth may have failed to live up to the expectations they annunciated, these guidelines are needed. With renewed commitment, let us make sure that we will never allow abuse of any minor or vulnerable adult. Let’s commit to repair the damage that has been done that has led to abuse, rape, and exploitation.
