Florida Catholic | Bishop Barbarito’s Column

‘The Creed of the People of God’ and ‘Humanae Vitae’

Published: 08.15.08

It was the summer of 1968, 40 years ago. It turned out to be a very significant one in the history of the church. It occurred during what was perhaps the height of the turbulence and uncertainties of the 60s. The Second Vatican Council had concluded its monumental work and its transforming accomplishments were already being implemented in the life of the church. However, a misunderstanding of the work and nature of the council was also prevalent as part of the general atmosphere of the 60s.

To this world Pope Paul VI proclaimed a clear and affirming word of faith in his “Creed of the People of God.” This Creed was a profession of faith which the pope promulgated June 30, 1968, at the close of the Year of Faith called to mark the 12th centenary of the martyrdom of the apostles Peter and Paul. The pope intended this profession as a return to the fundamental sources of faith at a time when facile doctrinal experimentalism seemed to be shaking the certainty of many priests and faithful. I would highly recommend a reading of the Creed, which can be found on the Vatican Web site.

The “Creed of the People of God” professes what the church believes in a dynamic and almost mystical manner. It follows the formula of the Nicene Creed. Of its many beautiful professions, two are very significant for the summer of 1968. One is the profession regarding the primacy of the Petrine office held by the pope. It states: “We believe in one, holy, Catholic and apostolic church, built by Jesus Christ on the rock which is Peter.” The other is the primacy of love in regard to the very being of God. It states: “He is he who is, as he revealed to Moses; and he is love, as the apostle John teaches us: so that these two names, being and love, express ineffably the same divine reality of him who wished to make himself known to us.” The Creed professes how the being of God expresses itself in the life of the Trinity.

The primacy of Peter and the primacy of love were well articulated July 25, 1968, when Pope Paul VI gave the church his renowned encyclical, ‘Humanae Vitae,’ on the subject of the transmission of human life. The encyclical came as a surprise to many who were hoping for a different articulation of the church’s teaching on the matter of the transmission of human life, especially in regard to artificial birth control. Rejecting the opinion of a commission endorsed by the pope himself to study this matter, Pope Paul VI clearly exercised his role as the successor of St. Peter and the one entrusted with confirming the church in faith and morals. He reaffirmed unequivocally the church’s teaching regarding the primacy of love in marriage which must always be open to the transmission of the gift of life. In this context, he affirmed that artificial methods of regulating birth are not in accord with the nature and dignity of the marital act, which is the fullest expression of love between a husband and wife. I would likewise highly recommend a reading of this encyclical, which also can be found on the Vatican Web site.

“Humanae Vitae” made clear that the church is not opposed to the proper regulation of birth in marriage. In fact, the pope spoke of the need for “responsible parenthood.” He said: “With regard to physical, psychological and social conditions, responsible parenthood is exercised by those who prudently and generously decide to have more children, and by those who, for serious reasons and with due respect to moral precepts, decide not to have additional children for either a certain or an indefinite period of time.”

“Humanae Vitae,” in line with its emphasis on natural law, encouraged couples to use the natural means which God designed in the human body to regulate birth. The use of artificial means, such as “the pill,” is opposed to the gift of life which the full expression of love between a husband and wife is meant to have. “Humanae Vitae” encouraged science and the medical profession to explore natural methods of regulating birth.

Another successor of St. Peter, Pope John Paul II, expounded upon the basis of the teaching on which “Humanae Vitae” is set. That teaching is nothing less than the primacy of love, which is the being of God himself. Pope John Paul’s exposition is his well-known “Theology of the Body.” This theology teaches that we are made in the image of and likeness of God. Because God’s being is love, he exists as a Trinity of persons for all eternity whether he created or not. When God did create, he made humanity in his image and likeness, which means love is the primacy of our being. Marriage is a mirror of Trinitarian life, which is always giving. The love between the Father and the Son which constitutes the Holy Spirit is reflected in the love between a husband and wife which gives birth to children.

We have implemented in our diocese a marriage enrichment program called “God’s Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage.” This program is based on Pope John Paul’s Theology of the Body. The program offers an excellent catechesis on the church’s vision of human sexuality and marital love. Special attention is given to the issue of responsible parenthood and the critical difference between artificial contraception and natural family planning. The program is meant to help couples understand the church’s teaching as a path to authentic freedom and happiness. It clarifies how a husband and wife who use natural family planning strengthen their love and commitment to each other and to an enriching marriage. God’s Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage will be integrated into our existing one-day “Engaged Encounters” as a preferred option for marriage preparation. I encourage all of our parishes to use this program in their marriage preparation programs. More information can be found at www.JoyfilledMarriage.com or by contacting our Family Life Office.

It is now the summer of 2008. Forty years have passed since the promulgation of the “Creed of the People of God” and “Humanae Vitae.” These years have shown us the wisdom of both of these documents. Despite the detrimental effect the contraceptive mentality has had on the dignity of marriage and family life, and indeed on the gift of life in general, the faith of the people of God cannot be ignored. While many are still not receptive to the church’s wisdom, more would have thought that it would not have been a factor 40 years later, let alone that our younger people are open to it.

The present successor of St. Peter, Pope Benedict XVI, articulates well the perennial wisdom of the church. He recently stated: “Forty years after its publication, this teaching (of “Humanae Vitae”) not only expresses its unchanged truth, but also reveals the farsightedness with which the problem (of the contraceptive mentality) is treated. … The magisterium of the church cannot be exonerated from reflecting in an ever new and deeper way on the fundamental principles that concern marriage and procreation. What was true yesterday is also true today. The truth expressed in “Humanae Vitae” does not change; contrary, precisely in the light of the new scientific discoveries, its teaching becomes more timely and elicits reflection on the intrinsic value it possesses. The keyword to enter coherently into its content remains ‘love’” (emphasis added).

The church built on St. Peter, proclaiming the primacy of love, will still be heard 40 years from now and indeed until the end of time!

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