In my post of Jan. 23, I referred to Section 10 of Humanae Vitae that implies that sex on demand, even within marriage, is not something the Church recommends. It is a most reasonable, compassionate, recognition of the realities of life involved in marital love and rearing a family. Pondering it may help many who've ignored the wisdom of Humanae Vitae to reconsider, especially in light of fulfillment of prophecies of doom regarding marriage and family since the advent of contraception.
Some few who probably haven't even read the text of HumanaeVitae falsely interpret the Church to teach that couples should have as many children as they biologically can. Others, who also probably haven't read the text, hold that two or three children is proof enough of being open to life, so contraception or sterilization is okay once that is accomplished. In both cases, the notion that sex on demand is good for marriage remains intact, to the detriment of marital love and family life.
By way of looking more closely at what the Church actually does teach, I recommend reading a translation of Humanae Vitae by well-respected theologian Janet E. Smith, Ph.D, who judiciously uses the word conscious parenthood in Section 10. Below is an excerpt from her translation "Humanae Vitae: A Challenge to Love: Pope Paul VI," (p. 30) quoted with permission:
Conscious Parenthood
10. . . marital love requires that spouses be fully aware of their mission [munus] of conscious parenthood [paternitatem consciam]. Today's society justly calls for conscious parenthood; thus it is important that it be rightly understood. Consequently, we must consider the various legitimate and interconnected dimensions of parenthood.
If we consider biological processes first, conscious parenthood [paternitas conscia] means that one knows and honors the responsibilities [munerum] involved in these processes. Human reason has discovered that there are biological laws in the power of procreating life that pertain to the human person.
If then, we look to the innate impulses and inclinations of the soul, conscious parenthood [paternitas conscia]asserts that it is necessary that reason and will exercise mastery over these impulses and inclinations of the soul.
If we look further to physical, economic, psychological, and social conditions, conscious parenthood [paternitatae conscia]is exercised by those who, guided by prudent consideration and generosity, elect to accept many children. Those are to be considered responsible, who for serious reasons and with due respect for moral precepts, decide not to have another child for either a definite or an indefinite period of time.
The conscious parenthood [conscia paternitas] of which we speak here has another intrinsic foundation of utmost importance:it is rooted in the objective moral order established by God--and only an upright conscience can be a true interpreter of this order. For which reason the mission [munus] of conscious parenthood [paternitatis consciae] requires that spouses recognize their duties toward God, toward themselves, toward the family, and toward human society, as they maintain a correct set of priorities.
For this reason, in regard to the mission [munere] of transmitting human life, it is not right for spouses to act in accord with their own arbitrary judgment, as if it were permissible for them to define altogether subjectively and willfully what is right for them to do. On the contrary, they must accommodate their behavior to the plan of God the Creator, a plan made manifest both by the very nature of marriage and its acts and also by the constant teaching of the Church. [emphases mine]Note: terms in [ ] are Latin terms taken from the Latin text of Humanae Vitae, used in Smith's translation.
Of special interest is use of the word munus, which Smith defines as "a task delegated by someone superior in power to another whose assistance he needs, and whom he wishes to honor by having him share in his work." (p. 20)
I highly recommend reading Janet Smith's booklet in its entirety.
To purchase copies of "Humanae Vitae: A Challenge to Love," write to:
New Hope Publications P.O. Box 10 New Hope, KY 40052 (Phone 270.325.3061) Ask for stock # 3005
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