Editing Humanae vitae (section)

==Summary==

===Affirmation of traditional teaching===
In this encyclical Paul VI reaffirmed the Catholic Church's view of marriage and marital relations and a continued condemnation of "artificial" [[contraception|birth control]]. Referencing two Papal committees and numerous independent experts examining new developments in artificial birth control,<ref>([http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=38825 ''Germain Grisez on Humanæ Vitae, Then and Now''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041111093922/http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=38825# |date=11 November 2004 }}, Retrieved 2 March 2006</ref> Paul VI built on the teachings of his predecessors, especially [[Pius XI]],<ref>Pius XI, encyc.letter ''Divini illius Magistri'': AAS 22 (1930), pgs. 58-61; encyc. letter ''[[Casti connubii]]'': AAS 22 (1930), pgs. 545-546</ref> [[Pius XII]]<ref>Discorsi e radiomessaggi di Pio XII, VI, pgs. 191-2; to Italian Association of Catholic Midwives: AAS 43 (1951), pgs. 835-54</ref> and [[John XXIII]],<ref>John XXIII, encyc. letter ''[[Mater et magistra]]'': AAS 53 (1961), pg. 457</ref> all of whom had insisted on the divine obligations of the marital partners in light of their partnership with God the creator.

===Doctrinal basis===

Paul VI himself, even as commission members issued their personal views over the years, always reaffirmed the teachings of the Church, repeating them more than once in the first years of his Pontificate.<ref>''Herder Korrespondenz'', Orbis Catholicus Freiburg, Herder Verlag, 1964-1968</ref>

To Pope Paul VI, marital relations were much more than a union of two people. In his view, they constitute a union of the loving couple with a loving God, in which the two persons generate the matter for the body, while God creates the unique soul of a person. For this reason, Paul VI teaches in the first sentence of {{lang|la|Humanae vitae}}, that the "transmission of human life is a most serious role in which married people collaborate freely and responsibly with God the Creator."<ref name=HV_1>''Humanae vitae'', no. 1</ref> This is divine partnership, so Paul VI does not allow for arbitrary human decisions, which may limit divine providence. According to Paul VI, marital relations are a source of great joy, but also of difficulties and hardships.<ref name="HV_1" /> The question of human [[procreation]] with God, exceeds in the view of Paul VI specific disciplines such as [[biology]], [[psychology]], [[demography]] or [[sociology]].<ref name=HV_7>''Humane vitae'', no. 7</ref> According to Paul VI, married love takes its origin from God, who is love, and from this basic dignity, he defines his position:

{{blockquote |text=Love is total – that very special form of personal friendship in which husband and wife generously share everything, allowing no unreasonable exceptions and not thinking solely of their own convenience. Whoever really loves his partner loves not only for what he receives, but loves that partner for the partner's own sake, content to be able to enrich the other with the gift of himself.|{{lang|la|Humanae vitae}}, no. 8–9<ref name=HV_8-9>''Humanae vitae'', nos. 8-9</ref>}}

The encyclical opens with an assertion of the competency of the [[magisterium]] of the Catholic Church to decide questions of morality. It then goes on to observe that circumstances often dictate that married couples should limit the number of children, and that the sexual act between husband and wife is still worthy even if it can be foreseen not to result in procreation. Nevertheless, it is held that the sexual act must retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of human life.

Every action specifically intended to prevent procreation is forbidden, except in medically necessary circumstances. Therapeutic means necessary to cure diseases are exempted, even if a foreseeable impediment to procreation should result, but only if infertility is not directly intended.<ref name=HV>''Humanae vitae''</ref> This is held to directly contradict the moral order which was established by God. [[Abortion]], even for therapeutic reasons, is absolutely forbidden, as is [[Human sterilization|sterilization]], even if temporary. Therapeutic means which induce infertility are allowed (e.g., [[hysterectomy]]), if they are not specifically intended to cause infertility (e.g., the uterus is cancerous, so the preservation of life is intended). If there are well grounded reasons (arising from the physical or psychological condition of husband or wife, or from external circumstances), [[natural family planning]] methods (abstaining from intercourse during certain parts of the [[menstrual cycle]]) are allowed, since they take advantage of a faculty provided by nature.<ref name=HV/>

The acceptance of artificial methods of birth control is then claimed to result in several negative consequences, among them a general lowering of moral standards resulting from sex without consequences, and the danger that men may reduce women to being a mere instrument for the satisfaction of [their] own desires; finally, abuse of power by public authorities, and a false sense of autonomy.<ref name=HV_17>''Humanae vitae'', no. 17</ref>

===Appeal to natural law and conclusion===
Public authorities should oppose laws which undermine [[natural law]];<ref name=HV_23>''Humanae vitae'', no. 23</ref> scientists should further study effective methods of natural birth control; doctors should further familiarize themselves with this teaching, in order to be able to give advice to their patients,<ref name=HV_27>''Humanae vitae'', no. 27</ref> and priests must spell out clearly and completely the Church's teaching on marriage.<ref name=HV_28>''Humanae vitae'', no. 28</ref> The encyclical acknowledges that "perhaps not everyone will easily accept this particular teaching", but that "it comes as no surprise to the church that she, no less than her Divine founder is destined to be a sign of contradiction."<ref name=HV_17/> Noted is the duty of proclaiming the entire moral law, "both natural and evangelical."<ref name=HV_17/> The encyclical also points out that the Roman Catholic Church cannot "declare lawful what is in fact unlawful", because she is concerned with "safeguarding the holiness of marriage, in order to guide married life to its full human and Christian perfection."<ref name=HV_30>''Humane vitae'', no. 30</ref> This is to be the priority for his fellow bishops and priests and lay people. Paul VI predicted that future progress in social cultural and economic spheres would make marital and family life more joyful, provided God's design for the world was faithfully followed.<ref name=HV_30/> The encyclical closes with an appeal to observe the natural laws of the most high God. "These laws must be wisely and lovingly observed."<ref name=HV_31>''Humanae vitae'', no. 31</ref>