Humanae Vitae

Pope Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical on the regulation of births, reaffirming Catholic opposition to deliberately contraceptive acts.

Pope Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical reaffirming Catholic opposition to artificial contraception while permitting natural family planning.

In Humanae Vitae, issued in 1968, Pope Paul VI reaffirmed the Church’s rejection of artificial contraception and its acceptance of natural family planning. Artificial contraception is rejected because it deliberately prevents the procreative purpose of intercourse. Catholics understand this as going against God’s intention for marital sex.

Pope Paul VI’s 1968 teaching document reaffirming Catholic opposition to artificial contraception and teaching responsible parenthood.

Refer to Humanae Vitae by name and explain its teaching; naming the document alone does not develop an argument.

Use Humanae Vitae to explain why Catholics distinguish artificial contraception from natural family planning: the method matters, not just the intention to avoid pregnancy.

Use Humanae Vitae precisely: it rejects direct abortion, including for therapeutic reasons. Do not describe medical treatment with an unintended effect on procreation as permission for direct abortion.

Pope Paul VI's 1968 encyclical on the regulation of births, which reaffirmed Catholic opposition to deliberately contraceptive acts.

In Humanae Vitae, issued on 25 July 1968, Pope Paul VI reaffirmed that these meanings must not deliberately be separated. Section 12 describes an ‘inseparable connection’ between the unitive and procreative significance of the marriage act. Artificial contraception is therefore rejected because it deliberately prevents procreation while retaining sexual union.

A papal teaching letter issued by Pope Paul VI in 1968 on the regulation of birth, which rejects direct abortion.

A papal encyclical issued by Pope Paul VI in 1968 concerning the regulation of birth; paragraph 14 rejects direct abortion, including for therapeutic reasons.

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