The following comes from a Jan. 16 story on Catholic News Agency.
Pope Francis took the opportunity during an address to families in the Philippines to praise Blessed Pope Paul VI’s encyclical opposing contraception and affirming Church teaching on sexuality and human life.
The Pope spoke Friday to families gathered at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila during his Jan. 15-19 visit to the Philippines.
After discussing various threats to the family, including “a lack of openness to life,” he deviated briefly from his prepared remarks, transitioning from English to his native Spanish in order to speak from the heart about the subject.
“I think of Blessed Paul VI,” he said. “In a moment of that challenge of the growth of populations, he had the strength to defend openness to life.”
In 1968, Pope Paul VI released the encyclical Humanae Vitae, which upheld Catholic teaching on sexuality and the immorality of artificial contraception, predicting the negative consequences that would result from a cultural acceptance of birth control.
“He knew the difficulties that families experience, and that’s why in his encyclical, he expressed compassion for particular cases. And he taught professors to be particularly compassionate with particular cases,” Pope Francis said.
“But he went further. He looked to the peoples beyond. He saw the lack and the problem that it could cause families in the future. Paul VI was courageous. He was a good pastor, and he warned his sheep about the wolves that were approaching, and from the heavens he blesses us today.”
Pope Francis’ comments come in the wake of Philippines president Benigno Aquino’s signing a highly controversial reproductive health bill in 2013 that drew strong protest from local bishops and members of the faith.
The legislation requires government-sanctioned sex education for adults, middle school and high school students, as well as a population control program that includes fully subsidized contraceptives under government health insurance. The nation’s bishops spoke out strongly against the measure.
His comments do not cause confusion! He is straight up on what he teaches.
Yeah Bob One and its about time he spoke with clarity.
Bob One, its 50-50.
Many times Pope Francis is in full accord with Catholic Doctrine.
There are other times when Pope Francis does cause confusion.
One needs to follow the Catechism (CCC) to know the facts.
CARDINAL GEORGE on some statements of Pope Francis.
” The question is raised, why doesn’t he himself clarify these things?
Why is it necessary that apologists have to bear that burden of trying to put the best possible face on it?
Does he not realize the consequences of some of his statements, or even some of his actions?
Does he not realize the repercussions? Perhaps he doesn’t. I don’t know whether he’s conscious of all the consequences of some of the things he’s said and done that raise these doubts in people’s minds. ”
https://www.lifesitenews.com/static/cardinal-george-on-pope-francis-why-doesnt-he-clarify.html
Contraception use degrades humanity.
I agree Tracy. God bless you.
Good for him. This is a bold move in the culture wars, and Francis has chosen to bear the cross that Paul VI had to bear 40 years ago. The invective against Pope Francis will be, I would think, all the greater than it was against Paul VI due to the present state of affairs. We should be sure he has God’s approval, regardless of the suffering he endures for this brave stand.
“Humanae Vitae” will be recognized as a moment of the invocation of the will of the Holy Ghost upon the Pope. God makes instruments of who He will. Paul VI was a weak, and ultimately, destructive Pope for many things regarding the Church, including, most specifically, the liturgy.
However, Paul VI is surely Blessed, and likely more, by his issuance of Humanae Vitae, an act of immense courage and moral power. It is always humbling to see through whom God chooses to work. Paul VI did the right thing, and is ignored to this day by most of the Church leaders. Remember, there would be no abortion in America if Catholics lived their Faith.
Why is the Pope and this Cardinal giving the Ronnie James Dio salute….
God bless him. I knew he would.
I knew it too. God bless our Pope, the Vicar of Christ, and God bless you too Ann T.
On the topic of contraception, it has not been more clearly stated that Pope Pius XI in Casti Connubii:
“And now, Venerable Brethren, we shall explain in detail the evils opposed to each of the benefits of matrimony. First consideration is due to the offspring, which many have the boldness to call the disagreeable burden of matrimony and which they say is to be carefully avoided by married people not through virtuous continence (which Christian law permits in matrimony when both parties consent) but by frustrating the marriage act. Some justify this criminal abuse on the ground that they are weary of children and wish to gratify their desires without their consequent burden. Others say that they cannot on the one hand remain continent nor on the other can they have children because of the difficulties whether on the part of the mother or on the part of the family circumstances.
“But no reason, however grave, may be put forward by which anything intrinsically against nature may become conformable to nature and morally good. Since, therefore, the conjugal act is destined primarily by nature for the begetting of children, those who in exercising it deliberately frustrate its natural powers and purpose sin against nature and commit a deed which is shameful and intrinsically vicious.
In the photograph, are Pope Francis and Cardinal Tagle giving the devil’s sign or a Gang member sign? Pray tell.
IMO Pope Paul VI was an awful man who brought the Church to where it is with his Council.
Gratias, that is not the devil’s sign; It is done differently. From the caption below the picture, it should be how one says “I love you” in sign language for the deaf or some such thing. I watched some of Pope Francis’s message to the youth on EWTN, and there was a young woman in the crowd signing (using sign language) to interpret his Spanish to the deaf in the crowd around her.
Please find out the truth before you say such things. You sound like those who accused St. John Paul II of being a Satanist because there was an upside down cross on one of his thrones. Although Satanists use upside down crosses to desecrate the cross, an upside down cross has a totally different intention and meaning for a papal chair. It symbolizes the fact that St. Peter, the first pope, was crucified upside down because he did not think he was worthy to be crucified right side up as the Lord Jesus Christ. Just like the rainbow, the same symbol might mean different things to different people.
Gratias, thank you, though, for asking about that sign instead of making it a statement or accusation. There are a lot of things on line that are not true, and we need to check them out before we believe them, and often we can only do it by questioning others.
Yes Ann T you are correct.
Ann T I had to learn sign language in elementary school. That sign is a sign of I love you. I used it on my parents when I would come home and show my parents what I had learned and I signed them the I love you. Our Pope is being kind to those who do not hear. God bless our Pope.
I am very sorry, I failed to read the caption.
And I am sorry for being so sharp with you too, Gratias. Do not believe everything that you read on line about St. Paul VI, either. He was not perfect, but there is some awful slander about him on line, too, with no proof presented, just someone’s speculation, often by people who do not give their names or the names of those making the accusations. We have all fallen into that trap at times.
Its OK Gratias. We are all human. God bless you for your humble witness here with your last post. It helps us all to take a better look at the information through eye’s of humility and meek fulness.
Its tough to be a human being and also we are sinners. Looking forward till the Lord calls me home, to rid myself of this flesh. But for now, lets seek to be holy and trust more in Jesus and not on men. God bless you.
In order to truly lead a good Christian family life, one must forego many of the destructive elements of the modern secular society! Our Church is too immersed in the secular world, and always has been– except for devout Catholics who leave the world, to join religious orders! The Catholic family simply cannot function, in today’s world, successfully! Nor can most other families! The modern world is far too corrupt, immoral, destructive, “tech centered,” isolating, and dehumanizing! Human beings can hardly function! To truly live the Catholic life successfully, it is far better, to place the family in an older, traditional agrarian-type of setting, with a slower pace of life, closeness to Nature, daily social visits amongst others, and long, leisurely daily meals, with strong traditions, (and grace before meals) and lots of talk, social interactions, plus daily family prayers, and maybe the tradition of a nightly Family Rosary. Many devout Catholic Latino and Filipino families live this way, and work around the modern world– with God and the family placed first, above all things– and plenty of love!
Ummm…Linda. How many times have you been the the Philippines?
I’d love to hear about your trips, your interactions with the people in the provinces, and all of the exotic cuisine you’ve encountered.
I will add to my above post. If the Pope and his leaders could develop and implement this traditional kind of life for all Catholic families to follow, all over the world, successfully– such as the way devout Catholic Filipino families live— everyone would be much happier, more fulfilled (with less interest in silly, worthless, isolating “individualistic” pursuits, materialistic pursuits, or anti-society activist garbage, like “feminism!”!) and the world would be a happier place! Motherhood would be understood as NORMAL, the teachings of “Humanae Vitae” would be easily understood, and children would be loved and welcomed. Children would all grow up and follow the footsteps of their elders, choosing either marriage or perhaps a religious vocation, at young ages— and follow their paths successfully. Chastity would again be easily viewed, as NORMAL, and necessary, observing proper and necessary precautions, for the unmarried. Celibacy would again be viewed as NORMAL, HOLY, and as an ABSOLUTE, for those in the priesthood and religious orders. Everything would again fall into place, for a good, successful, Catholic family’s daily life, for all!
Yes linda, celibacy VERY much helps single men by manly men—just like another story on here says we must be.
Why, a single man that faithfully follows the Church sees his testosterone drop to the level of a pre-pubescent—as shown by recent studies. This lack of testosterone flowing through a single man’s system is the only way he can achieve real manhood.
By keeping faith and not masturbating or fornicating, the chaste man will simply exude manhood from every pore.
Good grief, Jon J, without going into lurid detail, nature provides a nocturnal outlet for men and some women too. This is no sin if one has not encouraged such releases by reading porn. I think you make much ado about nothing, the culpability of a person varies, but the act to which you refer is a selfish one and does not prepare one for pleasing a marital partner if one gets addicted to it. Please do not bother to answer me, as I am not going to discuss it any further.
Well, too bad Anne, because you’re getting a reply. I don’t care if you don’t answer.
That “nocturnal” outlet won’t happen if testosterone levels drop to pre-pubescent levels as the research shows. But, I know you don’t care about research, despite the fact that Natural Law doctrine holds that God reveals himself to man through the nature of things.
The problem with tradition encrusted theology, is that you can begin to ignore God’s revelation through Natural Law if you become too proud of your analysis.
The “nature of things” shows that men get a very large jump in testicular cancer if they go long term without any sexual activity. The increase is, I believe, more than 40% and has been established in multiple studies to the point where it is accepted science fact.
Now, scientists are rather humble in that they know that their facts can still be wrong with deeper study, while theologians think they cannot be wrong despite years of religious-driven atrocities that are horrible mistakes in retrospect.
Consequently, Humanae Vitae suggests a world where God rewards a significant number of obedient men with testicular cancer and death.
You may want to stick your head in the sand due to your childish disgust, but a if you want Church theologians to fulfill their mission of revealing God’s truth, it’s an apparent paradox they must at least attempt to explain.
Of course, I’m a “bad” guy so nothing I say can be of any value.
Correction: “one” act to which you refer.
I really must add that I thought Jon J. was being sarcastic, but if I was wrong I apologize and should not have written the posts to him. It is hard to figure out exactly what he meant.
What “recent scientific studies”? And who ways that to be a real man you must have testosterone equivalent to that of a pre-pubescent male. That is nonsense.
You do realize it was supposed to be nonsense.
I will just add another thought to my above two posts. I think the old Latin Tridentine Mass, Sacraments, and religious devotions, done slowly and beautifully, with love and care, mindful of the deep love of God, and His deep calling for all of us to sanctification— to Christ’s Salvation– would be the most beautiful and fitting thing, for an excellent Catholic family life! It is truly God’s Divine Call, for all of us, His beloved children, to Heaven! It is so sad, to see a quick, hurried, profane, irreverent Vatican II “modern” Mass, offered in a drab, modern, “un-Catholic” church building, with poorly-dressed worshippers not focused on God much, not caring much, not very happy— and leaving early; everything modernized, secularized, and then– well, what happened to God?? Where was God??
No need to pray on for this info, Gratias, the meaning of the hand signs are right under the photo: “Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, left, shows Pope Francis how to give the popular hand sign for “I love you” at the Mall of Asia arena.”
But you didn’t really think the Pope was giving “devil’s sign” or a “Gang member sign”, did you? You just couldn’t pass up the chance for a gratuitous slander….
Thank you Brian S for calling it for what it is. They slander often. How could anyone post such scandalous thing? When they get angry at the Media for spreading gossip and when they slander or take out of context what the church really teaches, how come its OK if they post such things? Is such an attitude of one, that holds themselves above God? Pride is the root of all evil, their pride filled comments are slanderous and scandalous…..just his words “Pray tell” come off so prideful.
I am surprised that Gratias would make such uncharitable comments? I thought him better.
If you look up devil’s sign on Wikipedia, you will find it out it has a different meaning according to different cultures. It can be used to ward off the evil eye or give the evil eye, or in Texas sports it means “hook them” — like cattle. It is like the “I love you sing” above, except the thumb is in against the palm.
The mere fact that this hand sign made by the pope has generated so much discussion even on this board puts an end to the inquiry — there is no justification for this sign to be made by the pope. All people say is that this pope is being taken out of context time and time again. Therefore, the simple answer is for him to stop doing and saying things that are subject to varying interpretations. Because, as the saying goes, everything he says (and does) will be held against him in the court of public opinion, whether or not he actually says or does it. The banality of this symbol, at best, is beneath the dignity of the pontiff’s office. You’re right, he’s a University of Texas Longhorns fan. I guess. Or, he’s going to stop by Hawaii on the way home to “hang loose” on his surfboard. But Aleister Crowley also styled the horn finger symbol for the devil horns resemblance. So why should the pope use such a loaded gesture? No good reason whatsoever. Patently absurd, unnecessary and embarrassing.
Contraception is a Mortal Sin. It is an intrinsic evil.
CCC: ” 2399 The regulation of births represents one of the aspects of responsible fatherhood and motherhood. Legitimate intentions on the part of the spouses do not justify recourse to morally unacceptable means (for example, direct sterilization or contraception).
CCC: ” 2370 Periodic continence, that is, the methods of birth regulation based on self-observation and the use of infertile periods, is in conformity with the objective criteria of morality. These methods respect the bodies of the spouses, encourage tenderness between them, and favor the education of an authentic freedom.
In contrast, “every action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible” is intrinsically evil:
Thus the innate language that expresses the total reciprocal self-giving of husband and wife is overlaid, through contraception, by an objectively contradictory language, namely, that of not giving oneself totally to the other. This leads not only to a positive refusal to be open to life but also to a falsification of the inner truth of conjugal love, which is called upon to give itself in personal totality. . . . The difference, both anthropological and moral, between contraception and recourse to the rhythm of the cycle . . . involves in the final analysis two irreconcilable concepts of the human person and of human sexuality. “
How about making the “sign of the cross” for a change instead of all of this other nonsense such as a thumbs up he always gives.
How about not taking things out of context for a change, dear janek?
I am glad that Pope Francis is speaking the truth.
All those people who point to starving children as an excuse to commit the sin of contraception don’t have a clue. If children are dying from starvation and poverty, it is no fault of the Church, or the wisdom of Humanae Vitae.
Such things happen because man has disobeyed God and created an unjust society. What you cannot do, is concede to that corrupt society even if you, or your children must starve.
And, if a family in a situation where they cannot feed their family, the fault lies with the wealthy people who hoard God’s bounty. If such a man succumbs to birth control rather than stick to NFP—even if it your wife has less effective results due to irregular cycles—you will surely suffer damnation.
It is much better for children to starve than spend an eternity in Hell.
JAV I am glad too that our Pope is being clear from what we hear on the reports. I’m sure he does a lot more good that is not being reported properly. I agree with your comments. God bless you! Lets continue to pray for this Pope.
Jav, there is always natural family planning, which is very scientific now and not harmful to the woman or the man as most methods of contraception are, for those who should not have any more children for serious reasons. One web site I recommend Is “The Couple to Couple League”.
Anne T yes thank you for mentioning the League. They are excellent resources.
Oh yes once again this pope was taken out of context again and again and again for the last two and a half years.
Janek no one is saying he is perfect. But regardless we are not to spread the untruth either. God bless you.
Actually quite a few people are saying he’s perfect. One example, Elton John, said he should be canonized right now. What’s wrong with this picture?