July 2023 marks the 55th anniversary of the publication of Pope Saint Paul VI’s final encyclical, Humanae Vitae, “Of Human Life”, in 1968. This landmark document upholds Catholic teaching on protecting the right to life and has been a subject of debate and controversy since its publication.
In it, Pope Paul VI upheld Catholic teaching on protecting the right to life. The birth control pill was made commercially available in 1960 and a debate on whether or not it could be used by Catholics along with natural family planning methods ensued.
The publication of Humanae Vitae came as a surprise to some Catholics who had started using contraceptives, leading many to ignore the encyclical.
Professor Michelle Schumacher from the University of Fribourg revealed surprising statistics, stating, “Of 12,000 Catholics across the world, 78% were not in agreement with the Catholic Church on this teaching. When I began my research, I focused on feminism before delving into sexual ethics, and I never anticipated the impact it would have on our present-day perspectives.”
While addressing the conflict, Professor Schumacher points out that the words of Humanae Vitae go beyond the topic of birth control and delve into what it means to love generously and be truly human. The encyclical’s insights have relevance even in modern debates on transhumanism and artificial procreation.
Professor Michelle Schumacher also pointed out, “It was prophesied not just by Paul VI but also by some feminists who emphasized the need for women to be freed from procreation, envisioning a society where children could be created without women. Now, two decades later, we see this becoming a reality, and I am amazed by the prophetic quality of Humanae Vitae. It reinforces the urgency to stand alongside the voice of prophecy and provide truth as an anchor for our contemporaries seeking guidance.”Transhumanism is a movement that seeks ways to enhance human biology to enable longer lifespans, and ultimately, unlock a way of living forever. This includes concepts like ‘mind uploading’ to a computer – unimaginable perhaps in Paul the Sixth’s time, but Humanae Vitae can be instructive even in these modern areas.
Professor Elena Postigo, from the Pontifical Academy for Life, emphasized the importance of responsible and thoughtful progress in science and technology. She stated, “As someone who has been working in transhumanism in recent years, I realize that science and technology sometimes advance too rapidly in one direction. It is crucial to proceed with wisdom, prudent reflection, and responsibility, taking a well-considered path. Wisdom must accompany the proper use of science and technology, embracing the benefits they offer. I am not pessimistic; instead, I believe that open and attractive discussions about these matters, avoiding moralistic approaches, are essential.”
According to Professor Elena Postigo from the Pontifical Academy for Life, the enduring relevance of Humanae Vitae is often clouded by misunderstandings, which persist due to limited reading and understanding of the encyclical: “I think partly it’s because people haven’t read the encyclical. The first recommendation we make is to re-read the encyclical with an open mind. Trying to understand its sense. It is true the encyclical was already prophetic in its time, and now, 55 years later, the issues it raised are still prevalent. The contraceptive and abortive mentality, the promotion of promiscuity, and so on, have increased in these decades. Therefore, I believe that at this moment, it is even more necessary than before to re-read it. Opening oneself up to the wisdom of Humane Vitae does not mean closing oneself off to advances in medical knowledge or advancements in methods of family planning or understanding fertility cycles.”
Today, with numerous medical means available to help couples follow the encyclical’s teachings, Professor Schumacher emphasized the need for doctors, medical personnel, and Catholics across various fields to promote this doctrine. Proclaiming the truth calls for courage and dedication, particularly in a world where this message is crucial.
“Today if ever there was a time when it is not difficult, I mean to follow this teaching we have medical means that are incredible. You can check your hormones, you know, by just dipping your urine into a little cup and you can see whether you’re fertile or not. There are amazing means at our disposition, but that information is not getting out to young couples so we need doctors, we need medical personnel, we need Catholics all across the board who are willing to proclaim this doctrine in their particular fields. I think we are up against a challenge that perhaps this is old as mankind – proclaim the truth is at times to put ourselves on the line, and it calls for a lot of courage, it really does.”
On the 55th anniversary of Humanae Vitae, it is worth spending time in prayer and reflection with this critical document – deepening our Christian witness and understanding of its universal message and how it is more relevant than ever, over half a century later. The encyclical continues to hold significance in shaping discussions around human life and love, transcending time and remaining a cornerstone of Catholic teachings.
