FROM Humanae Vitae TO Veritatis Splendor

by Monsignor Vincent Foy, P.H., J.C.D.

Preface FromHumanaeVitaetoVeritatisSplendor,twopartsprintedin1993and January1994,Challengemagazine1994Bookletform,St.JosephsWorkers forLifeandFamily. TableofContents

Foreword FromHumanaeVitaeTOVeritatisSplendor PartI TheAttack BishopsAgainstHumanaeVitae TheologiansandOthers

TheDefenders Popes Bishops TheologiansandOthers ThePresentSituation FROMHumanaeVitaeTOVeritatisSplendor PartII VeritatisSplendorandHumanaeVitae TheBasics MoralTheologyToday MoralityandtheLifeoftheChurchandtheWorld Mary TheEvilofContraception ItisAntiGod ItisAntiChurch ItisAntiSociety ItisAntiFamily ItisAntiSpousal ItisAntiSelf RecoveringtheTruth a)BySpiritualMeans b)ByAuthority c)ThroughEducation

d)ThroughPastoralCare Conclusion

Foreword
Iambynaturearatherslowandstupidreader.But,tomysurprise,IreadFROM HumanaeVitaeTOVeritatisSplendortwiceinafewhours.Ithinkthereasonwas thatitisthemosttrenchantandcompellingexplanationofHumanaeVitaewhichI hadreadinthepasttwentyfiveyearsanditisalsotheclearestexpositionofthe irreparabledamagetotheChurch,thefamilyandconsequentlytosociety,which hasresultedfromtherejectionoftheteachingofthismostimportantchurch documentofthepresentcentury. IfImaybepermittedtosumuptheargumentofMsgr.Foyforthefundamentalevil ofcontraception,Iwouldputitsomethinglikethis:Whenamanandawoman performtheactofsexwhileusingcontraception,theyareclaimingforthemselves therighttodecidewhetherornotanewhumanbeingmadeintheimageofGod willcomeintoexistence.TheyareechoingthefatalpromisemadebySatantoEve intheGardenofEden,YouwillbeasGods.(Seepages15&16). AboutayearagoIheardMsgsr.WilliamSmithspeakingataconferenceintheU.S. ,toanaudienceofabout500Catholics.Heaskedthequestion,Howmanyof youhaveheardthesubjectofcontraceptionmentionedfromthepulpitinthepast

fifteenyears?Twohandswentupand,astheyweresittingtogether,itispossible thattheywerehusbandandwife.SometwohundredyearsagointheBritishHouse ofParliament,EdmundBurkemadethefamousstatement,Allthatevilneedsin ordertoflourishisthatgoodmendonothing.Iwonderifitmightbesaidwith truththattheevilofcontraceptionhasflourishedintheChurchbecausegood priestshavesaidnothing! FatherTedColleton,C.S.Sp. March17,1994 FeastofSt.Patrick

FROMHumanaeVitaeTOVeritatisSplendor
PartI

Thisyearof1993wecommemoratetheSilverJubileeoftheencyclicalHumanae
Vitaegiven"toallmenofgoodwill"byPopePaulVIonJuly25,1968.Itwasnot revolutionarybutpartofacontinuum.Beforeitwentcenturiesofunwavering magisterialteachingculminatingintheencyclicalCastiConnubiiofPopePiusXI, December31,1930.Afteritcameotherlinks:FamiliarisConsortioof1981andthe CatechismoftheCatholicChurch1992,andVeritatisSplendorof1993.These majorreaffirmationswereboundtogetherbycountlesspapalandepiscopal statements. Althoughnotrevolutionary,HumanaeVitaesparkedarevolution.SomeBishops,

evenwholehierarchiesofBishops,joinedrebellioustheologiansinwhatwas,in effect,a"defacto"rejectionoftheChurch'steaching.Thishasresultedinthe greatestcrisisintheChurchsincetheArianheresyofthefourthcentury.Theprime victimistheCatholicfamily,offereduponasacrificialaltartorebellionandpride. Thisisabriefglanceatthepast25years:thebattleforthetruthandthepresent situation.ItlooksatrecentdevelopmentsoftheChurch'steaching,theevilof contraceptionandwaysofrecoveringthetruth,especiallybythosementionedin VeritatisSplendor. TheAttack FromthedayitwassignedHumanaeVitaehasbeentheobjectofunrelenting attackbyrebellion,silenceanddeceit. BishopsAgainstHumanaeVitae Paradoxically,CatholicBishops,chieflyresponsibleforthedefenceofHumanae Vitaebyofficeandoath,havebeentheprimaryfactorinitsrejection. About12nationalConferencesofBishopssodistortedtheteachingofthe encyclicalastoeffectivelydestroyit.Amongtheworstwerethestatementsofthe BishopsofBelgium,theNetherlands,WestGermanyandCanada. IllustrativeoftheworstisthesocalledWinnipegStatementoftheCanadian BishopsofSeptember27,1968.Inparagraph26theysaidthatinsome circumstancesthespouses"maybesafelyassuredthatwhoeverfollowsthatcourse

whichseemsrighttohimdoessoingoodconscience."OfthisJohnF.Kippley says:"Amoremisleadingstatementwouldbehardtoimagine.Thereareno principlesofmoraltheologythatallowapersontoengageinactionstaughtbythe Churchtobeobjectivelyimmoral,whethersuchactionsbeadultery,contraception, fornication,orsodomy.And,ofcourse,whatappliestoonebehaviourappliesto all."(SexandtheMarriageCovenant,TheCoupletoCoupleLeague,Cincinnati, Ohio,1991,p.145). IndividualBishops,oftenobliquely,haveunderminedtheencyclical.Bishop KennethUntenerofSaginawisanexample.Hesays:"WhenmostCatholicsreject theteachingafter25yearsofrepetitiontheChurchfacesaseriouscredibility problem."(Commonweal,June18,1993).Theproblemisthattherehasnotbeen somuch25yearsofrepetitionas25yearsofsilenceanddistortion. TheologiansandOthers Therightroleofthetheologianisalwayspursuedincommunionwiththe magisteriumandneverapartfromit(cf.InstructionontheEcclesialVocationof theTheologian,n.6).Thisrolewasbetrayedbylargenumbersoftheologians beginningonthedayofissuanceofHumanaeVitae. ByJuly29,1968,CharlesCurranhadmusteredsupportfrom77'theologians'and atapressconferenceinWashingtonsaid"weconcludethatspousesmay responsiblydecideaccordingtotheirconsciencethatartificialcontraceptionin somecircumstancesispermissibleandindeednecessarytopreserveandfosterthe valuesandsacrednessofmarriage."(cf.TheBattlefortheAmericanChurch, Msgr.GeorgeE.Kelly,DoubledayCo.,1979,p.116).

TheWashingtonstatementistypicalofalltheologicaldissentfromHumanaeVitae inthatitrejectedtheauthorityofthePopebyappealingtoasupersedingright.We areremindedofGregoryBaumcallingfora"Churchofthetheologians"inthe summerof1968.Usuallytheintellectualrejectspressurebutinthiscaseagang mentalityprevailed.Evenaslateas1989theologianswereusingmobtactics.Itwas thenthatBernardHaringhelpedorganizetheDeclarationofCologneurgingthe PopetosupportaninternationalcommissiontoreexaminetheChurch'steaching oncontraception. Thelistofdissentingtheologiansisinthehundreds,includingbrilliantmenlikeKarl RahnerandBernardLonergan.OthersareHansKung,AndrewGreeley,Charles Davis,EdwardSchillebeeckxandRichardMcCormick.CanadahasitsGregory Baum,WalterPrincipe,AndreGuindon,DavidRoyandBelaSomfai. ManysocalledCatholicgroupsandperiodicalsjoinedintheattack,e.g.,The CatholicTheologicalSocietyofAmerica,theNationalCatholicReporter, Commonweal,U.S.Catholic,TheTablet.Atthetimeoftheencyclicalopposition inCanadacamefromtheWesternCanadianConferenceofPriests,TheCatholic Physicians'GuildofManitoba,CatholicsinDialogue,TheCanadianInstituteof Theologyandothers.NowwehavetheantimagisterialvoicesoftheCoalitionof ConcernedCanadianCatholics,andsomepaperslikeTheCatholicNewTimes. Clonesofthesegroupsandperiodicalsexistinmostcountries.

TheDefenders WhiletheattackonHumanaeVitaehasbeenmarkedbyrebellionandthe

prostitutionoftalent,thedefenceismarkedbyloyalty,dedicationtotruth,and cooperationwithgrace. Popes ThereneverhasbeenaPopewhospokeonthesubjectwhodidnotupholdthe sinfulnessofcontraception(cf.Contraception,JohnT.Noonan,BelknapPress, 1965). InHumanaeVitaePopePaulVIconfirmedwhathadalwaysbeentaught.Nordid oppositioncausehimtowaver.Herepeateditsteachingonnumerousoccasions includingasermoninSt.Peter'sshortlybeforehisdeath. PopeJohnPaulIIhasreiteratedthedoctrineofHumanaeVitaewithgreater frequencyanddeeperanalysisthananyotherPope.HegaveusFamiliaris ConsortioofNovember27,1981,reflectionsontheencyclicalingeneralaudiences fromJuly11,1984toNovember28,1984,TheCatechismoftheCatholicChurch andthemagnificentencyclicalVeritatisSplendor. HereisasynthesisofPopeJohnPaulII'steaching:"Itisnot,infact,adoctrine inventedbymanitwasstampedintheverynatureofthehumanpersonbyGodthe Creator'shandandconfirmedbyHiminRevelation.Callingitintoquestion, therefore,isequivalenttorefusingtoGodHimselftheobedienceofour intelligence"(November12,1988). Bishops MostBishopshavedefendedtheirflocksbyfidelitytoHumanaeVitae.Thegreat majorityofEpiscopalConferencessupportedtheencyclicalin1968.Among unequivocalstatementswerethoseoftheBishopsofIreland,Scotland,Poland, SpainandthePhilippines.Later,someconferencesgaveadditionalsupport. PerhapsthebestwastheIrishBishops'PastoralLoveisforLifeof1985.InCanada wehaveResponsibleParenthood,apastoraloftheBishopsofManitoba,April

1989. AmongpastoralsofindividualBishopsoneofthefirstandbestwasthatofBishop MacEachenofCharlottetowncallingforfirmadherencetoHumanaeVitaesothat "noambiguitymightexistamongthefaithfulorpublicopinionconcerningthe Church'spositiononthisseriousmatter"(July1968).ArchbishopCarneyof Vancouverwrotetwofinepastoralsdefendingtheencyclical(reprintedin L'OsservatoreRomanoAugust9,1973andMarch6,1975). WhileeverycountryhasBishopdefendersofHumanaeVitaetheUnitedStates hasbeennotablyblessed.AmongothersareCardinalO'ConnorandhisAuxiliary BishopAustinVaughan,outstandingmoraltheologian.BishopMontrosewrotethe excellentpastoralTheContraceptiveMentalityandCatholicAmerica(1988). BishopGlennonFlavingaveusaPastoralLettertoCatholicCouplesand PhysiciansontheIssueofArtificialContraception(1991).Ithasbeencirculated throughouttheEnglishspeakingworld.AmongotherdefendersareBishops McFarlandofOrange,MyersofPeoria,TimlinofScrantonandDailyofBrooklyn. SpecialmentionshouldbemadeoftheimmensecontributionofCardinalEdouard Gagnon,formerPrefectofthePontificalCouncilfortheFamily,tirelesssupporter ofHumanaeVitaeinRomeandthroughouttheworld.Hisworkiscontinuedby CardinalTrujillo. TheologiansandOthers Thegeniusofsomeofthefinestmindsofthiscenturyhasbeenputtotheservice ofGod,ChurchandfamilythroughthedefenceofHumanaeVitae. TheprimesourceofmaterialisL'OsservatoreRomano.Thereonefindsatreasure ofscholarlydefenceandinterpretationoftheencyclical.Alreadyin1968were contributionsfromthegreatCardinalJournet,DavidKnowlesandJeanGuitton. Yearafteryearuntilthepresentwefindarticlesofthesamehighquality.

AmongoutstandingdefendersintheEnglishspeakingworldareGermainGrisez, JohnC.Ford,S.J.,JosephBoyle,JohnFinnis,WilliamE.May,JanetSmith,John F.Kippley,PaulMarx,O.S.B.andMatthewHabiger,O.S.B.AlittlebookbyFr. RichardRegoTheTrueMeaningofLove(1990)hasbeencalledbyFr.John Hardon,....."thebestcontemporaryexplanationinprintoftheCatholic understandingofChristianmarriage." Everycountryhasabledefenders.CanadahasFr.JosephHattie,O.M.I.authorof TotallyYours,AnneRocheMuggeridgewhogaveusTheGatesofHellandThe DesolateCity,Fr.AlphonsedeValk,C.S.B.,Fr.LeonardKennedy,C.S.B.,Fr. TedColleton,C.S.Sp.,SisterLucilleDurocher,CorneliaFerreira,Dr.Bernharda Meyer,CatherineBolger,JohnPhilipps,andmanymore. ScoresofCatholicAssociationshavegiventheirsupport,e.g.,HumanLife International,CatholicsUnitedfortheFaith,TheFellowshipofCatholicScholars, anditsCanadianbranchunderDr.JohnShea,WomenforFaithandFamily,andSt. Joseph'sWorkersforLife&Family.MorelocalaretheOntarioAssociationof CatholicFamiliesunderBrianTaylorandCompanionsoftheHolyFamilyfounded byMaryFotheringham.ForsomeyearsexceptionallyfineworkwasdonebyThe CentreforLifeUnderstandingunderCatherineBolgerandJoanDunn. Althoughintheminority,manyCatholicperiodicalshavesupportedHumanae Vitae.IntheU.S.istheHomileticandPastoralReviewandSocialJusticeReview. InGreatBritainisChristianOrder,AproposandTheKeysofPeter.Australiahas A.D.2000.CanadahasChallenge,TheInterim,CatholicInsight,Nazareth Journalandothers.

ThePresentSituation Thetragicdichotomoussituationcontinues:attackanddefenceassentanddissent. WhiletheChurchproclaimsthetruthmanyvoiceswithintheChurchcontradictit.

ThesinglemostdamagingrealityisthatmaverickBishops'Statementscontinueto wanderthroughtheCatholicworldeffectingtheruinofsouls.Onlyoneofthem,the AustrianBishops'Statement,hasbeenrevoked.Theotherskeepreappearingin textsandcoursesandareechoedinseminaries,pulpitsandconfessionals.Many havejudgedtheWinnipegStatementoftheCanadianBishopstobethemost damagingofall.ButinreactingtotheencyclicalVeritatisSplendortheAssistant GeneralSecretaryoftheCCCBspokethelie:"Contrarytosomejournalistic speculationandextremeconservativeoversimplifications,theCanadianBishops pastoralteachingonHumanaeVitaeandconscienceareverymuchwithinthe traditionofCatholicmoralteachingandarerespectedassuchbytheVatican" (CatholicRegister,October16,1992). ThesecondmostdamagingrealityisthefailureofBishopstocurbdissenting theologians.AtDallasinFebruary1993,speakinginthepresenceof200Bishops, Fr.AveryDulles,S.J.,didnotseeindissentfromHumanaeVitaeanobstacleto teachinginaseminaryortotheepiscopacy. Hewasnotrefuted.ThefruitsofteachingintheChurchwhattheChurchdoesnot teachareshownbystatistics.Hereareafewrandomsampleswhichareindicativeif notprecise: InCanada,91%ofCatholicsapproveofcontraception(MacLeansMagazine, April12,1993). IntheU.S.,89%ofyoungpeoplerejecttheChurch'steachingagainst contraception(CNNpollreleasedduringthePope'svisittoDenver,August1993). InBrazil,withtheworld'slargest'Catholic'population,overhalfofadultwomen havebeensterilizedandtherearetwomillionabortionsayear(statementofthe PresidentoftheBrazilianBishops'Conference,September1993).

ItisevidentthatinvastnumbersCatholicsareembracingthecultureofdeath. Unlessthepresentsuicidalandsinfultrendisreversedacatastropheof unprecedentedproportionsawaitstheChurch.

FROMHumanaeVitaeTOVeritatisSplendor
PartII byMonsignorVincentFoy DevelopmentoftheDoctrineofHumanaeVitae St.VincentofLerins(diedc.445)tellsusthatdevelopmentofdoctrinemusttruly bedevelopmentofthefaith,notalterationofthefaith.Whiledissidentshavetriedto altertheteachingoftheChurchonhumanlife,HumanaeVitae"reaffirmsand reproposeswithclaritytheChurch'steachingandnorm,alwaysoldyetalwaysnew, regardingmarriageandregardingthetransmissionofhumanlife"(Familiaris Consortio,n.29).Butthereisroomfordevelopmentinunderstanding.SoPope JohnPaulIIsaid:"TogetherwiththeSynodalFathersIfeelitismydutytoextenda pressinginvitationtotheologians,askingthemtounitetheireffortsinorderto collaboratewiththeMagisteriumandtocommitthemselvestothetaskofillustrating evermoreclearlythebiblicalfoundations,theethicalgroundsandthepersonalistic reasonsbehindthisdoctrine"(Ibid.,n.31). Inthelast25yearstherehasbeenconsiderabledevelopmentintheunderstandingof HumanaeVitaeinallaspects. Thereisclearerknowledgeoftheinherentviciousnessanddestructivecapacityof

dissent.InthisareaCatholicsowemuchtomanyscholarsbutoutstandinghasbeen theworkofMsgr.WilliamSmith,professoratSt.Joseph'sseminary,Dunwoodie, N.Y.AtaninternationalConferenceheldinNebraskatomarkthe25thanniversary ofHumanaeVitae,Msgr.Smithgaveatalkon"CallingtheDissentersto Accountability."Hesaid,"GivemeoneversefromHolyScripture,givemeone teachingfromSacredTradition,givemeanyteachingfromtheCatholicChurchthat justifiestheologicaldissent,becauseifyoucannotfoundituponthosesacred sources,itisnottheologicallyalegitimateconcept." Therehasbeendevelopmentinunderstandingtheroleofthetheologian,culminating intheInstructionontheEcclesialVocationoftheTheologian(Congregationfor theDoctrineoftheFaith,May29,1990). ThreePopesinthiscentury,beforeHumanaeVitae,havedeclaredthatthe teachingagainstartificialcontraceptioncanneverbechanged.SinceHumanae Vitaetherehasbeenmuchstudyonwhetherthatteachinghasbeeninfallibly declaredorinfalliblytaught. Somehavearguedthatthedoctrinehasbeeninfalliblyproclaimed.Notableinthis regardisthemonumentalworkofRev.ErmengildoLio,reportedlyoneofthe authorsofHumanaeVitae:"HumanaeVitaeeInfallibilita."Apartofhisthesisis thatthelanguageofHumanaeVitae,invokingtheauthorityofChrist,meantthatthe PopemadeasolemndefinitionofChurchdoctrine.PopeJohnPaulIIthankedFr. Lioforhisbook,whichhasbeendefendedbyothers,e.g.,Fr.BrianHarrison. WhetherornotthedoctrineofHumanaeVitaehasbeeninfalliblydeclared,it seemsclearthatitisinfalliblytaught.Perhapsthebestpresentationofthis conclusioninEnglishisTheTeachingofHumanaeVitae:ADefensebyJohnC. Ford,S.J.,GermainGrisez,JosephBoyle,JohnFinnisandWilliamE.May (IgnatiusPress,1988).Totheseauthorsalsoisowedgratitudefortheircritiquesof proportionalismandconsequentialism. Therehasbeenmuchdevelopmentinunderstandingthephilosophicaland

theologicalbasesofHumanaeVitae.NootherPopehascontributedmoretothis understandingthanPopeJohnPaulII.Hegaveushisthinkinginaudiencesfrom July11,1984toNovember7,1984.TheyarecollectedinabookletReflectionson HumanaeVitae,publishedbytheDaughtersofSt.Paul,1984. NotableistheworkofJanetE.SmithwhohasgivenusHumanaeVitaeA GenerationLater(CatholicUniversityofAmericaPress,1991).Itisthemost comprehensivetreatmentavailableonthephilosophicaltruthunderlyingthe Church'steachingoncontraception,prescindingfromthesupersedingargument fromauthority.UnlikesomeothersshebelievesHumanaeVitaeisbestunderstood throughdeeperunderstandingoftheChurch'straditionalteachingonnaturallaw, notonnewernaturallawtheories. InresponsetothecallfromPopeJohnPaulIIdevelopmentofthedoctrineof HumanaeVitaecontinues.Countlesstheologiansandphilosophersand sociologistscontinuetoenrichtheliterature.Theguidingprinciplesfortheir researchhavebeenclearlydefined.Butinallthisonetruthmustberemembered. TheteachingoftheChurchagainstcontraceptionboundtheconsciencesof Catholicsinpastcenturiesregardlessoftheabsenceofmoderninsights.Itbinds todayregardlessofanyparticulartheologicallabel,whetheritisinfalliblydefined, infalliblytaughtorauthoritativelyproclaimedbytheordinarymagisterium.Itbinds becauseitisgiventousbyPeter'ssuccessorwithChrist'sauthority(cf.Humanae Vitae,n.6). VeritatisSplendorandHumanaeVitae ThelatestmajordevelopmentintheunderstandingofHumanaeVitaeisthe encyclicalVeritatisSplendor,signedAugust6,1993andreleasedonOctober5. Manydisputethattheencyclicalhasanythingtoaddaboutcontraception.Bede HubbardoftheCCCBsays"....theencyclicalisnotaboutcontraception"(The CatholicRegister,October16).HesaysthatwhenthePresidentoftheCCCBwas inRometobebriefedabouttheencyclical"Vaticanauthoritieswereinsistentthat thepurposeofVeritatisSplendorwasnottorespondtotheongoingdiscussionson

artificalcontraceptionwithwhichHumanaeVitaehasbeenassociated."One wonderswhotheVaticanofficialswere. Itistruethattheword'contraception'appearsonlytwiceintheencyclical(nos.47 and80).Itistruethatof184footnotesonlythreearereferencestoHumanaeVitae (nos.133,152,and175).Butitistrueinaprofoundsensethatthewholeencyclical isaboutHumanaeVitae.Inamuchdeepermagisterialtreatmentthaneverbeforeit dealswith"certainfundamentalquestionsregardingtheChurch'smoralteaching" (n.5).Allofthesefundamentalquestionshaveadirectlinktotheunderstandingand applicationofHumanaeVitae. TheBasics ThefirstchapterofVeritatisSplendorgivesusthebasicmoralrulestoguideuson ourpathtoGod.ItdoesthisinacommentaryonChrist'sreplytotherichyoung manwhoasked:"Teacher,whatgoodmustIdotohaveeternallife?"(Mt.19:16). TheHolyFathertellsusthatthisessentialquestion,essentialforallofus,is answeredbyGodWhoalonecangivetheanswer.Godgavetheanswerfirstofall bythenaturallawinscribedontheheart,thenthe"tenwords"orcommandmentsof Sinai,thentheNewCovenantandthelawoflove.Inordertomakeourencounter withChristpossible,astheyoungmanencounteredHim,GodwilledHisChurch.It isthroughtheChurchthatwefindtheanswertowhatwemustdotoattainto eternallife(cf.n.7). ApplyingthesebasicstoHumanaeVitaeweseehowvainitistoseekforthelaws oflifeoutsideofthenaturallawanditsinterpretationbytheGodgiveninterpreter, theChurch.Yetthistragicattemptweseeallaroundus. MoralTheologyToday ChapterTwotalksofpresentdaytrendsinmoraltheologyandtheirmeaningfor theChurch.TheHolyFathersaysthatitishisintention"tostatetheprinciplesfor discerningwhatiscontrarytosounddoctrine"(n.30).Inamoreprofoundwaythan

haseverbeendoneinamagisterialdocumenthespeaksoffreedomanditsabuse, ofnaturallawanditsimmutability,ofconscienceandtruth,oftheeffectsof followinganerroneousconscience,oftheservicetoconscienceofthemagisterium. Hedetailstherightnotionofthefundamentaloption,howthefundamental orientationtoGodcanberadicallychangedbyparticularactsofintrinsicevil, includingtheintrinsicevilofcontraception(n.80). AllofthemoralissuesherediscussedarebasictounderstandingHumanaeVitae. Inthelightoftheprinciplesdiscussedwecanseetheerrorsofdissentersand preciselyhowtheseerrorshavemisledtheirfollowers. MoralityandtheLifeoftheChurchandtheWorld ChapterThreeshiftsfocusfromtheindividualtotheChurchandsociety.TheHoly FatherremindsusthattheessentialbondunitingTruth,theGoodandFreedomhas beenlargelylostsightofinourpresentdaycultureandhelpingtorecoveritisthe missionoftheChurchforthesalvationoftheworld(n.88).Itisaseriousand destructivedichotomytoseparatefaithfrommorality.Thetruthmustbedefended, eventomartyrdom.TheChurch'sdefenceofuniversalandunchangingnormsisa servicetoallmankind.KeepingGod'slawcanbedifficultbutneverimpossiblewith grace(n.104). TheencyclicalspeaksofthedutiesoftheologianstoexpoundtheChurch's teaching.Theyaretogivetheexampleofaloyalassent,bothinternalandexternal, totheMagisterium'steachingintheareasbothofdogmaandmorality(n.110). InthissectionthepartanddutiesofBishopsisexplained.Itistothemespecially thatthewholeencyclicalisaddressed."TheChurch'sPastorshavethedutytoact inconformitywiththeirapostolicmission,insistingthattherightofthefaithfulto receiveCatholicdoctrineinitspurityandintegritymustalwaysberespected" (n.113).ItfallstoBishopsalso,incommunionwiththeHolySee,tograntthetitle "Catholic"toschools,hospitalsandotherinstitutionsandincaseofaserious failuretoliveuptothattitle,totakethattitleaway(cf.n.116).

AllofthisChapterpertainsintimatelytoHumanaeVitae.Dissenthoverslikea blackandthreateningcloudovertheChurch.ThePopeproposesthesolution:loyal theologiansandBishopsusingadequatepastoralauthority.Hownecessarythisisis illustratedbytheviciousattackonVeritatisSplendoritself(cf."VeritatisSplendor has'multipleagendas',"CatholicNewTimes,November21,1993).Echoingthe feelingsofmillionsofCatholics,MotherAngelicacriesoutagainstdissenters:"I'm tiredofyourtricks...youhavenodogma,nodoctrine,noauthority...You'resick. Youspreadyourerrorstochildren.I'mtiredofyourconstantlypushingyour antiGod,antiCatholic,andpaganwaysontotheCatholicChurch.Liveyourlife. Liveyourfalsehood.Liveyourlies.Leaveusalone"(cf.TheCatholicWorld Report,October1993,p.24). Mary Inconclusion,theHolyFathercallsustoentrustourselves,themorallifeofall believers,andtheresearchofmoraliststoMary,MotherofGodandMercy. Maryistheradiantsignandinvitingmodelofthemorallife.Sheunderstandssinful manandloveshimwithamother'slove.Preciselyforthisreasonsheisontheside oftruthandsharestheChurch'sburdeninrecallingalwaysandtoeveryonethe demandsofmorality(n.120). SoitcanbesaidthatMaryourMothercallseachofherchildrentorecognize God'swillinHumanaeVitaeandtoseeinitnotonlythesplendoroftruthbutthe pledgeofeternallife.

TheEvilofContraception Beforeconsideringremediesitisimportanttounderstandsomethingoftheevilof contraception.Whenoneconsidersthisevilfromitstheological,philosophicaland

sociologicalaspects,itsdefenceandpromotionbecomeamysteryofperversity. ItisAntiGod TheChurchconstantlyremindsusthatmanisnotthecreatorofhumanlifebutthe procreatorwithGod.HumanaeVitaerepeatedlyremindsusofGod'soverriding role."MarriedpersonsarethefreeandresponsiblecollaboratorsofGodthe Creator"(n.1).Marriedpersons"collaboratewithGodinthegenerationand educationofnewlives"(n.8).Thespouses"mustconformtheiractivitytothe creativeintentionofGod"(n.10).Themagisteriumteachesthereisaninseparable connection"willedbyGodandunabletobebrokenbymanonhisowninitiative, betweenthetwomeaningsoftheconjugalact:theunitivemeaningandthe procreativemeaning"(n.12). TheprimalevilofcontraceptionisthatitputsupabarrieragainstGod'screative will,ahorrendouscrimewhenseeninallitsimplicationsintimeandeternity. ItisAntiChurch Toteachthatcontraceptionissometimeslicit,evenunderextremecircumstances,is againstthatChurchunityforwhichChristprayedontheeveofHispassion.To acceptdissentersasbelongingtomainstreamCatholicismpromotesregionalor optionalmoralityagainsttheuniversalnormofdivineorigin.TheantiChurch effectsarecalamitous.Whenunityisbreachedtrueecumenismisharmed. Evangelizationbecomesimmeasurablymoredifficult. ThewidespreadpracticeofcontraceptionbringsitsownantiChurch consequences.Massimmoralityresultsinmassweakeningofthefaith.Suicidal birthratesleavetheChurchwithoutadequatevocationstothepriesthoodand religiouslife.ThemoreCatholicsarerelativelyreducedinnumbersthemorelikely aretheytobeoppressedandpersecuted.Contraceptionhasinittheseedsofthe destructionoftheChurch.

ContraceptiondeniestotheMysticalBodyofChristandtoHeaventhosecountless soulswhoneverwereandnevershallbebecauseofthedeliberatefrustrationof God'sprovisionalwill. ItisAntiSociety PopePaulVIforesawtheantisocietaleffectsofcontraceptivebehaviour.Weread inHumanaeVitaethatwhenthereisawidespreaduseofcontraceptives,"a dangerousweaponwouldthusbeplacedinthehandsofthosepublicauthorities whotakenoheedofmoralexigencies.Whocouldblameagovernmentforapplying tothesolutionoftheproblemsofthecommunitythosemeansacknowledgedtobe licitformarriedcouplesinthesolutionofafamilyproblem?"(n.17). Thecontraceptivementality,whenwidespread,diminishestheleveloflovein societyandincreasesthelevelofselfishnessandlust.Ingovernmentthistends towardseasydivorce,legalizedabortion,privilegesforhomosexualsandlaxlaws againstpornography.Ineducationittendstowardswrongsexeducationandthe corruptionoftheyoung.Inhospitalcareitmeansabortion,sterilizationand eventuallyeuthanasia.Itmeanstheincreaseofsexuallytransmitteddiseases.Inthe mediaittendstowardslicenseandincreasedhostilitytoGodandreligion.In societyingeneralittendstowardsincreasinghateandviolence,andalackofyoung totakecareofthesickandtheold. Thesocietywhichembracesthecontraceptivementalityisembracingthecarrierof itsdeath. ItisAntiFamily ReflectingonthemarriagecovenantPopeJohnPaulIIsays:"Thecommunionof lovebetweenGodandHispeople,afundamentalpartoftherevelationandfaith experienceofIsrael,findsameaningfulexpressioninthemarriagecovenantwhich isestablishedbetweenamanandwomantheirbondoflovebecomestheimage andsymbolofthecovenantunitingGodwithHispeople"(FamiliarisConsortio,

n.12). Contraceptionmakesalieofthemarriagecovenant.Itnolongersymbolizesthe unionofGodwithHispeopleorChristwithHisChurch.Contraceptionreplaces selfgivinglovewiththehateofmaritalabuse.Becauseitisaspeciesofinfidelity withinthemarriageitmakesinfidelityoutsideofthemarriagemorelikely.Intruthit makesthespousesenemiesofoneanother,cooperatorsineachother'sdamnation. Whenthemarriageisenteredintowithanintentiontoexcludetherighttochildren, thatunionisnullandvoid. Thedeliberatelychildlessmarriagehasantisocialeffectscommontoeverysuicidal society.Anillicitlydiminishedfamilyalsosuffers.Thechildrenwhoarebornare lovedeprived.Theycannotbutbeaffectedbytheexampleofhedonisticparents andahomeinwhichtruemaritalharmonycannotexist. ItisAntiSpousal Contraceptionisanactofspousalabuseinvariedways.Cooperatingspouses reinforceoneanotherinevilthroughmutualabuse.Whenonepartypersuadesthe othertocontraceptthereisanactofseduction.Whenoneobjectsbutsubmits underpressurethereisaviolationofconscienceandpersonwhichisakintomarital rape.Whenthecontraceptivemeansareknowntobeabortifacientaswiththe anovulantpillandintrauterinedevices,bothbecomemurderersbyintent.Inall contraceptivebehaviouronecontributestothespiritualdevastationoftheother,a frightfulperversionofthepurposeofmarriage. ItisAntiSelf Ultimatelyonlyindividualssinandsuffer.Prescindingfromguiltandmotivation contraceptionhasitsownintrinsicnegativedynamics.Itisaselfishactcreatinga selfishperson,alustfulactcreatingalustfulperson,anexploitiveactcreatingan exploitiveperson.Spirituallycontraceptioninflictstheultimatewoundupontheself thatabuseoffreedomwhichisgraveormortalsin.Whentheyoungmaninthe

gospelaskedChristwhathemustdotobesaved,Christreplied:"Ifyouwishto enterintolife,keepthecommandments."Thesinofcontraceptionviolatesthegreat commandmentofloveandthesixthcommandmentofGod(cf.Catechismofthe CatholicChurch,n.2370).Itisabartoeternallife.Itusuallybecomesahabitof lifeblindingthemindandweakeningthewillasfewothersinsdo.Itisnot surprisingthatmanyCatholiccontraceptorsabandontheSacramentofPenanceand addsacrilegetosinbyreceivingHolyCommunion.

RecoveringtheTruth A"secondmagisterium,"boldandperverse,withnocredentialsbutitsown,isin possessionofthemindsandconductofmyriadsofCatholics.Theresultingcrisis isperhapstheworstintheChurch'shistory,forwhereverHumanaeVitaeis rejected,induetimetheretheChurchwillceasetoexist. Howcanthetruthberecovered?Therearefourprincipalways: (a)BySpiritualMeans Thetruthwillnotberecoveredwithoutgrace.1994hasbeendeclared"TheYearof theFamily."Thiswouldseemtobetheprovidentialtimeforourspiritualleadersto organizecampaignstopromotefamilylifeinaccordancewithallthemeansof grace:Masses,retreats,missions,HolyHours,rosaries,prayercrusades,penance andinvitationstotheSacramentofReconciliation.Thisyearofthefamilyisatime ofgrace,atimeforrecoveryofthetruthaboutloveandmarriage,atimeof salvation. Evenoutsideoforganizedgroupsindvidualscancontributemuchtotherecovery ofthetruth.WitnesstheworkofSt.CatherineofSiena.Saintlypersonsare desperatelyneededtoday.ForwantoftenjustmenSodomwasdestroyed.

HusbandsandwiveshavingdifficultywithHumanaeVitaecandonobetterthan reflectonsection23oftheencyclical,addresseddirectlytothem.Infour paragraphsthereisaworldofspiritualwisdomexpressedwithgreatsympathyand understanding.Herearemartialledallthespiritualhelpstheyneed.Itshouldbe engravedontheirhearts,foritisthewaytotheirpeaceandsalvation.

(b)ByAuthority CardinalDanielousaidthat"Itisthenonuseofauthoritythatiscreatingour problem."Itisprimarilythefailureofauthorityatalllevelstoactthathasbrought aboutthepresentcrisis.Ifahousedividedagainstitselfcannotstandneithercana Churchwithadividedmagisterium. Aslongasmisleadingstatementsofnationalhierarchiesareallowedtocirculate withoutofficialcontradictionthecrisiswillremain.Hierarchieswhichhave compromisedthetruthhaveagraveobligationtorestoreit.Theyhavetheexample oftheAustrianbishopsofMarch29,1988.Evenonehierarchy'smisleading statementoncontraceptioncancorruptnotonlyitsownpeoplebutreachoutto corruptothers. InamattersocriticalforthesurvivaloftheChurchitwouldseemthatwherea NationalHierarchypersistsindefendingorpermittingamisleadingstatementthere isplacefortheinterventionoftheHolySee.Individualbishopscouldsubmit questionablestatementsoftheirhierarchiesforevaluationtotheSacred CongregationfortheDoctrineoftheFaith.SocouldCatholicgroups.Surely,we pray,theHolySeewouldnotwanttoprovidegroundsforthesuggestionthat RomefiddledwhiletheCatholicworldburned. Itdeservesrepeating:everyerroneousormisleadingstatementofanational hierarchymustbewithdrawn.EverynationalhierarchymustteachwhattheChurch teachesifthetruthistoberecovered.

HowauthorityistobeusedbyindividualBishopsisstatedinthesynodal documentonDangerousOpinionsandonAtheism(RationeHabita,October28, 1967).Thebishopssaid,concerningfalseteachingandotherabuses:"Thiswayof actingmustnotpreventthefirmexerciseofauthorityindirectingtheChurchof God,accordingtothemindoftheSecondVaticanCouncil...Thosewhoarerash orimprudentshouldbewarnedinallcharitythosewhoarepertinaciousshouldbe removedfromoffice."Ifthissynodalproposalwereimplementedinrelationto dissentfromHumanaeVitaetheteachingoferrorwouldend. (c)ThroughEducation Truth,andthatincludesthetruthofHumanaeVitae,hasitsowndynamismandin spiritualmatterscomesonthewingsofgrace.Butforthetruthtobeacceptedit mustbeknown,andtobeloveditmustknowninallitspositiveconsequences. HumanaeVitaeisnotknown.MostCatholicshavenotreaditnordothey understandthebeautyofitsteaching,therewardsthatcomefromfollowingitorthe tragediesthatsurelycomewithitsrejection.SotorecoverthetruthofHumanae Vitaeeducationisessential. ThefirstarenafortherecoveryofthetruthofHumanaeVitaeistheseminary. Manyseminariesstillhavedissidentprofessorsofmoraltheology.Oneerrant professorcancorruptthepreaching,teachingandcounsellingofmanypriestsand innumerableCatholics. Notextshouldbeallowedinanyschoolwhichdoesnotadherewithout equivocationtoHumanaeVitae.Thismeanstheeliminationofmanytextsinuse today.AnexampleisthewidelyusedhighschoolcoursePaththrough CatholicismbyMarkLink,S.J.Itpromotesagravelyerroneousdoctrineonthe formationofconscienceandthemoralrelativismoftheWinnipegStatementofthe CanadianBishops. Educationinthetruthisessentialinmarriagepreparationcoursesandcanbedone alsobysermons,retreats,seminarsandcoursesgivenundersuchorthodox

auspicesasthePopeJohnPaulIIInstitutefortheFamily.Itisnottoomuchtoask thateveryDiocesehaveaFamilyLifeProgramwiththemajorpurposeof recoveringthetruthofHumanaeVitae.Unlessthatisdonenoprogramcan succeed. (d)ThroughPastoralCare Itshouldbeselfevidentthatrightpastoralcareisalwaysinaccordancewiththe truth.Yetdissidentscontinuallycallforakindofpastoralcarewhichdestroysboth thetruthandsouls.AneditorialinTheTablet,London,unhappilyreprintedinThe CatholicRegister,November13,1993,hopesthattheencyclicalVeritatis Splendor,incallingcontraceptionintrinsicallyevil,willnotbeusedtodestroythe "uneasycompromiseoverthismatterwithwhichtheChurchhasbeenlivingsince 1968."TheChurchhasnotbeenlivingwithcompromisebutdyingbecauseofit. Theeditorialhopesthat,inthewakeoftheencyclical,bishopswillnot"wantto throwmoralabsolutesattheirpeople."Moralabsolutesarethetruthandthatis whatweallneed. Desperatelyourpeopleneedthetruthinpastoralcare:inthepulpit,inthe confessional,inmarriagepreparationcourses.Godandgracearewiththetruth. Conclusion Onarecenttelevisionpaneldiscussiononjournalismthequestionwasasked:"How cansomenewspapersandsomejournalistsgetawaywithviciouscharacter assassination?"Onejournalistreplied:"Becausetherearenoconsequences." Howcannationalhierarchiesofbishopsgetawaywithdistortingordestroyingthe teachingofHumanaeVitae? HowcanindividualBishopsgetawaywithallowingschooltextswhichdissentfrom HumanaeVitae?

HowcanseminaryprofessorsgetawaywithdissentingfromHumanaeVitae? HowcouldFr.RichardMcBrienandFr.AndrewGreeley,onnationaltelevision, getawaywithattackingthePope,theChurchandtheMagisteriumwhentheHoly FatherwasattheWorldYouthConference,Denver,onAugust15,1993? Isitnotbecausetherearenoteffectiveconsequences?TheoldmaximofRoman Lawperdures:"Nullasanctio,nullalex.":wherethereisnosanctionthereisnolaw. Butiftherearenoapparentorinsufficientconsequencestodissentersthereare immenseandapocalypticconsequencestotheChurch.Asahousedivideditself cannotstandneithercanadividedChurchstandwherethatdivisionexists. Surelythetimehascome,forthegloryofGodfortheprotectionofthefamilyand forthesalvationofsoulsforadequateconsequencestothosewhoattackChrist andHisChurchbyattackingHumanaeVitae.Passivityisnotaviableoption,as thepast25yearshavedemonstrated. Whatwillremainattheendoftimewhendeathisconqueredandthesonsand daughtersofGodareraisedupinChrist?TheFathersofVaticanIItellus"Love andthefruitsoflovewillremain"(GaudiumetSpes).Thatisalsothemessageof HumanaeVitae.

Monsignor Foy is a priest and canon lawyer of the Archdiocese of Toronto, a one-time head of the archdiocesan marriage tribunal, and a founder and Honorary Member of the Canadian Canon Law Society. He is the oldest priest in his Archdiocese and the only surviving priest of the class of 1939 of St. Augustine's Seminary. For decades, Msgr. Foy has fearlessly articulated and defended the teachings of the Church's Magisterium - which are the teachings of Christ Himself - in a time of moral and doctrinal chaos in the Church in Canada.
NOVEMBER,

2013