On July 25 this year, the Catholic Church marks the 50th anniversary of Blessed Pope Paul VI’s encyclical letter on the regulation of birth, Humanae Vitae. This column is the second of a two-part reflection by Bishop David Malloy on that encyclical.

 

In Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI reminded the world of the firmly established teaching that marital sexuality — the two becoming one flesh — has two essential purposes. 

 

The first purpose is the deepening of the union of the couple, brought closer and expressing their love with their whole selves. 

 

The second purpose of the spousal embrace is to work with God as stewards of His creation, to willingly participate with Him in His creative act. That means that the married couple is always open to new life as part of the marital embrace. 

 

When we recognize these two essential purposes of God’s design for husband and wife — the union of the spouses and procreation — we see how detrimental it would be to the very core of the relationship between man and woman for one of these purposes to be willfully inhibited. 

 

For this reason, our faith recognizes that any form of artificial contraception as well as sterilization contradict the very plan of God built into our nature.

 

Rather, we are called to work with God’s plan and His design for our bodies and our lives. 

 

Much study has gone into the natural times and tempos of the human body, and on that basis, the times of fertility in marriage and the moments of infertility can be identified. Using that knowledge, a couple can, for serious reasons, seek to regulate the gift of new life and postpone having additional children.

 

Fifty years ago when he formulated this document, the Holy Father cautioned that the consequences of us losing sight of the twofold purpose of God’s plan for spousal love would be serious. 

 

He foresaw back in 1968 that, despite the best of intentions, widespread use of contraception would result in a degradation of morality throughout society in a way that would particularly impact our young people and increase marital infidelity. 

 

He also warned that men may “forget the reverence due to a woman,” and that she would likely become an object of use, instead of a valued partner who should be loved and cared for. (HV, 17) 

 

Finally, he predicted that governments and those in power might impose upon the rights of a husband and wife by mandating the use of contraceptives and sterilizations. 

 

As we look around us today, if we are honest with ourselves we can recognize the truth of Pope Paul VI’s words. 

 

As the world has attempted to redefine God’s plan for married love, each of these predictions has tragically come to pass. 

 

This serves as a reminder to us of the importance of attending to God’s law in all things. He is love, He created us in His love, and He has taught us how to love. 

 

God has given us His law and His Church, not to restrict us, but to help and to guide us. We ought not disregard His design and purpose for life or love, and, in fact, we cannot, without serious consequence.

 

In Humanae Vitae, the Holy Father acknowledges that this teaching is not easy, especially in a world that has distorted sexuality to such an extent that its true purpose is no longer understood. 

 

The type of love to which the Lord calls us requires courage, generosity and sacrifice. Many with good intentions have lived in marriage not knowing or understanding the teaching of our faith because it is spoken of and taught too rarely, and, in truth, often without confidence.

 

Still, in this anniversary year, we have the opportunity and, in fact, the need to study again this great teaching. 

 

We are called to be new creations in Christ, working with Him to transform our families and the world as He has called us. 

 

The Church knows this is no small undertaking, but She is here on this earth — with shepherds and the sacraments readily available — to help each and every one of us on this earthly pilgrimage.

 

In the end, the freedom that comes from sacrificial love and the total self-giving within marriage is both strengthening and consoling. Jesus gives us His grace to help us. 

 

Joined to our own prayer and commitment, we are able to live as God has made us to do. When that occurs, as individuals and as married couples, we are on the road to our eternal salvation.

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