Reassessing Humanae Vitae

Pope Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae, that reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s teaching on use of artificial contraception as “intrinsically evil,” has been reassessed in recent years in light of Pope Francis suggesting a more flexible approach to its teaching in light of today’s complex personal situations. Some theologians, including the leaders of the Pontifical Academy for Life, have insinuated the teaching is not infallible, and have explored the possibilities of change, prompting heated debates. Some see support or opposition for such a reassessment as a reliable indicator of faithfulness or dissent vis-à-vis the Church’s perennial magisterium.