The Pope admits he's WRONG?

It is to be anticipated that perhaps not everyone will easily accept this particular teaching. There is too much clamorous outcry against the voice of the Church, and this is intensified by modern means of communication. But it comes as no surprise to the Church that she, no less than her divine Founder, is destined to be a "sign of contradiction." (22) She does not, because of this, evade the duty imposed on her of proclaiming humbly but firmly the entire moral law, both natural and evangelical.

Since the Church did not make either of these laws, she cannot be their arbiter—only their guardian and interpreter. It could never be right for her to declare lawful what is in fact unlawful, since that, by its very nature, is always opposed to the true good of man.

- Pope Paul VI, "Humanae Vitae"

I would like to stress the importance of the above passage to the political, social, and philosophical ramifications of Pope Paul VI doctrine "Humanae Vitae," and relate it in some fashion to the difference between jurisprudence and judicial activism. I'll also make known my opinion on the role of children within a marriage, contending the view of the Pope. Paul VI uses this passage in his dissertation to best situate "Humanae Vitae" within a modern context. In doing this, he virtually admits that by sheer mass, volume, and momentum, the Church is wrong and a "sign of contradiction" to the modern reality (constructed consciousness) for morally prohibiting the use of artificial contraception in married or unmarried heterosexual relationships. But this passage also serves to frame the Church's argument against artificial contraception as necessary, historical, dutiful, lawful, and natural. Paul VI believes that the Church has a responsibility to promote the "entire moral law," despite its societal contradiction. Thus, he admits that while the Church will probably be WRONG in cultural context, it will continue to be internally RIGHT. In a subtle, yet rebellious way Paul VI reinforces the identity of the Church as the source for truth, while admitting its failure to persuade society or 'manufacture consent.' The Pope wields a dangerous, although I do believe well meant, tool that has contributed to virulent debates on artificial contraception since its writing.

The Church fundamentally believes that there are two pieces to a heterosexual marriage, of which society ought to be based on. Unification and procreation should lead to the betterment and happiness of the married couple and society. Neither member should attempt to violate the the wishes of the other, and the couple should not violate the desire of God when it comes to children. Paul writes that the natural ovarian cycles are the prescribed contraception by God, and that only this method is allowable and still adheres to the vocation of a married couple. In law, jurisprudence refers to a body of law or a consistency of law that contributes to known and just rulings. Judicial activism describes ideologies that compete with consistency of law and seek to establish new precedents for deciding matters. Paul VI appeals to both the consistent and prudent ideals of the Church regarding life and marriage and to the activist role it will play in denying the masses that would see artificial contraception advance.

This conservatively active role of the Church in reacting to artificial contraception has and has had significant political and social consequences. I personally wholeheartedly disagree with the Pope as to the primary vocation of a married couple, and to the necessity of marriage as a fundamental unit of society. Defining marriage and procreation synonymously classes bodies, and not for the better. Women and men are then breeders, meant in their most refined state, to only desire the production of progeny. Society is herein limited in creativity, and in accessibility to those who "naturally" are less fit for parenthood. I believe a wide variety of more singly minded vocations such as artistry, management, research, international service, etc. for which a conjugal family may or may not be best are integral elements to a happy and healthy society, and even a spiritual people. Artificial contraception would allow married couples to enhance the unifying aspects of their relationship, while mitigating their need for what I feel has become an outdated necessity of children. This being said, children are wonderful for those who love them. The papal constructed worldview on family and marriage derives from a long precedent of Church doctrine, and Paul VI admits as much. He also admits that the Church, and himself personally, will advocate this position as a policy, suggesting later in the document methods for promoting anti-contraception in schools and science. It is evident here that the relationship between the Pope and society is constitutive, the Pope is changed by society and vice versa. The Pope actively intervenes in culture, just as he proclaims the natural truth of Church law. Interesting.