Perhaps no other encyclical in the history of the Church has received so much ridicule and caused such controversy as Humanae Vitae.
Even today, 50 years later, it still evokes heated discussions and
debates, often from people (including some priests) who have never read
the document. Yet when encouraged to read the encyclical, one quickly
learns of its profound teaching and defense of God’s divine plan for
human sexuality, marriage, family and life. The Church, in this
encyclical, is preaching Good News and is pro-love and pro-life.
St John Vianney, the Curé of Ars, the patron saint of priests
Pope
Paul VI begins by highlighting an understanding of God as Love, and how
this love overflows into new love and new life. The human persons God
creates have an immutable dignity – being made in the image and likeness
of a loving God – and have an immortal destiny. The beauty of Catholic
Church teaching on human sexuality is based on the dignity of the human
person. The gift of life is a most precious gift – to be cherished and
respected – which enables us to anticipate and strive for eternal life,
where there will be an everlasting enjoyment made possible by union with
our loving Father.
God
has bestowed upon spouses an “extremely important mission of
transmitting human life” – the wondrous gift of being co-creators with
Him in the creation of new persons...
