A Dissent from the Humanae Vitae Dissent

Today is the fortieth anniversary of Humanae Vitae, the controversial – to say the least - encyclical of Pope Paul VI “On The Regulation Of Birth”, or on contraception. An introspective article of Cardinal James Francis Stafford was written today in which he personally describes the time in July/August 1968 when the encyclical was released and the – mostly dissenting - aftermath (my current parish, St. Joseph's Passionist Monastery Parish in Baltimore, is mentioned in the article).

I was thinking about all the Truth that was restated (from the constant teaching in all the Christian Churches until 1931 at Lambeth, England) in the encyclical when my mind turned toward Lambeth (the site of the Church of England’s conference) of this year (going on now) and the Church of England. An almost inevitable split in the Church of England will take place soon between conservative and liberal bishops over the consecration of an unrepentant, practicing gay bishop and other controversial topics. Many conservative bishops of the Church of England are either turning towards Rome or looking into forming separate diocese but with the same traditions (little “t”) of the Church of England.

The Church of England has fallen into this state of disrepair from its founding. Why does the Church of England exist? It’s because a powerful man wanted a pretty girl and his father said no. (and another girl, however many times)

When will Christians learn that the Pope is the Vicar of Christ, the head of the Church? No matter what the political landscape or currents of the day, the Church will remain firm in the Truth revealed by Christ and the Holy Spirit entrusted to the Church and the Pope.

Whether dissent exists from Humanae Vitae, or whether there is separation of the Church of England from the Holy See over unchaste behavior, the Truth about sex, marriage, and the human body remains intact in the Church Christ founded upon Peter.

I wonder if the Church of England will totally rejoin with Rome someday?

Further, a major way that religious vocations can make a comeback is for Catholics to have more children by adhering to Catholic teachings relayed in Humanae Vitae, Evangelium Vitae, and the Theology of the Body.

Will you join me in trying to be faithful to the sexuality teachings of the Church?