Humanae Vitae: Catholic Teaching - Part One

Fr. John Baptist Ku, O.P., a Dominican Friar of the Eastern Province, USA, speaks about Humanae Vitae and approaches to preaching this encyclical in parish settings. Fr. Ku is a doctoral candidate in Theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. From a talk given at the Dominican House of Studies http://dhspriory.org Washington, D.C. on June 18, 2007. Part 1 of 2.

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• Catholic Theology
• Humanae Vitae
• homily
• Papal Encyclical
• Regulation of Birth
• Contraception
• On Human Life
• Dominican House of Studies
• spirituality
• preaching

[shreve99]

Sounds really nice...however, he doesn't have to worry about supporting 8 or 9 children! The way I see it, the "rhythm method" (if it actually worked...) IS birth control! Someone here says that it still leads to a child if God wants it, but then, the same can be said about using a condom! They do fail sometimes, you know...

[DHSPriory]

@shreve99 actually the "rhythm method" is not NFP (Natural Family Planning) which does not obstruct the marital act as does contraception. I would suggest you actually read Humane Vitae by Pope Paul VI. A study was done about the Missionaries of Charity (founded by Mother Teresa of Calcutta) training people in India how to use NFP - the study showed the people they trained were able to use NFP with 98% accuracy in achieving or avoiding a pregnancy.

[amaqula]

The West is in demographic meltdown on account of abortion and contraception. What more proof is needed for the evil of these two?

The Catholic Church's teaching is totally practical as well as spiritual!!

[ilducedevenezia]

What an excellent work! Thank you so much for posting it. The Church will be safe so long as she continues to foster priests such as this gentleman.

[zweratms]

@Jugglable The difference is very big.When you use NFP you make God's will.Because if He realy wants to give you a child there is no obstacle.You put your trust In God not in contraception.

[TeresaofJesus]

@Jugglable I found the book "Theology of the Body for Beginners" by Christopher West to be very helpful for answering questions like that. God bless!

[Jugglable]

What's the moral difference between having sex at a certain time of the month so you won't have a kid, and using a condom so you won't have a kid? Neither one is very open to life, but the church allows the former.

[LiturgicalChants]

My understanding is that historically Natural Family Planning would also have been forbidden under nearly any circumstance. Though I like the idea of it I think in my conscience that my ascetical strict interpretations would tend to leave little legitimate option to use it. A lesser of two evils it may be, but an evil nonetheless I am afraid...

[LiturgicalChants]

The only legitimate criticism i hear of the current "official" Catholic position from both traditionalists and Eastern and Western Orthodox Catholics is that "Natural Family Planning" can be abused to function with a similar result as the artificial birth controls.

[ammazzamoro]

Children should be taught about the origins of life as soon as they are able to walk.

This is the idea.

[lufeca1276]

Amazing, I've seen this video 5 times now I believe. I think he is a wise man and admire him. Pax Christi

[Raffzeee]

Why? This is 100% orthodox teaching. How could it affect a young childs moral spirit. Surly wouldn't it strengthen her when she comes to realise it herself?