Skip to content
Little girl looking Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >

Humanae Vitae at 45 Conference Explores Catholic Teaching on Contraception

Free World Class Education
FREE Catholic Classes

November 12, 2013 - 7:03 PST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

STEUBENVILLE, OH (November 12, 2013) - Of all the encyclicals published in the last century, one has unquestionably received a more passionate response than the rest. To mark the 45th anniversary of Pope Paul VI's Humanae Vitae this year, Franciscan University of Steubenville hosted a conference titled "Humanae Vitae at 45: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Holiness."

The September 27-28 conference brought together leading Catholic theologians and philosophers to examine the interaction of culture and this landmark document.

In his keynote address, "Humanae Vitae in Historical and Social Perspective," Father Peter Ryan, SJ, STD, executive director of the Secretariat of Doctrine and Canonical Affairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, explained the impact of societal changes on the family during and after the industrial revolution, and how those changes placed increasing pressure on a culture that once unequivocally opposed contraception.

"A situation began to emerge . . . in which it became impossible for most people to have all the children that they naturally can have," Father Ryan said. "This hasn't changed in post-industrial technological society.

"From her earliest days, the Church has sought to avoid [burdening people beyond what is required]," Father Ryan said. In the years leading up to Humanae Vitae, "It began to seem to many people that to exclude contraception even in dire circumstances meant unnecessarily burdening people." It was into this social climate that Humanae Vitae was released, and when not properly presented, it was dismissed by many.

As Blessed Pope John Paul II unequivocally affirmed, Father Ryan reminded listeners, "the teaching that contraception is wrong is a revealed truth that cannot be other than it is.

"A great deal of the movement to approve contraception was not to understand truth, but arguing for a certain policy, seeing it merely as a matter of rule making," Father Ryan said. Pope Paul VI "grasped an essential distinction: He realized that what was at stake was not making a decision about what to allow, as though it were up to him to construct a rule. Rather, it was a matter of coming to understand the moral truth more deeply."

Father Ryan's talk was also sponsored by the Henkels Lecture Series and was part of the Fall 2013 Distinguished Speakers Series.

Teresa Collett, JD, professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law and consultor for the Pontifical Council for the Family, expanded on the cultural background Father Ryan gave by presenting the legal history of contraception in America up to the present controversy over the Health and Human Services mandate. In her talk, "Humanae Vitae, Contraception, and American Law," she said, "In the 1800s and early 1900s, we had a complete code of laws regulating sexual behavior, and there was no concept in any of the judges' minds in the 1800s that there was some sort of constitutional realm of privacy that the state could not regulate if that conduct had very real consequences to the common good. . . There are a number of laws that continue to remain on the books, but their enforcement is rare and constitutionally questionable under current interpretations."

Collett also fleshed out the distinction between permissible and impermissible material cooperation with evil, explaining why what the HHS mandate requires is impermissible. "What's at issue," she concluded, "is whether we as Americans have the right to tell the government that we won't fund something that we believe is harmful to the common good. And all Americans oppose coercing consciences."

Three other well-recognized figures also presented:
Dr. Richard Fehring, director of the Institute of Natural Family Planning at Marquette University, discussed the history and use of fertility awareness methods in light of Humanae Vitae in his talk, "Scientific, Spiritual, and Marital Dynamics of Natural Family Planning." Fehring's research on the ease of use and efficacy of Natural Family Planning methods has been widely published in academic journals.

Dr. Jennifer Frey, collegiate assistant professor of humanities and the Harper Schmidt Fellow in the Society of Fellows at the University of Chicago, discussed the ethical and anthropological aspects of the teaching of Humanae Vitae in her talk.

Dr. Michael Waldstein, founding president of the International Theological Institute in Austria, discussed the theological underpinnings of Humanae Vitae in his talk. Waldstein was a member of the Pontifical Council for the Family from 2003 to 2009 and is the Max Seckler Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University in Florida. He published a translation of Blessed John Paul II's Theology of the Body, entitled Man and Woman He Created Them, in 2006.

For complete video of talks by Father Peter Ryan and Teresa Collett, go to www.FaithAndReason.com and type the speaker's name into the search engine.

Contact

Franciscan University of Steubenville
http://franciscan.edu
OH, 43952 US
Tom Sofio - Associate Director of Public Relations,

Keywords

Humanae Vitae, Franciscan University, Father Peter Ryan, Teresa Collett

Category

Morality

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 7,177

When Pope Francis Arrives in North America, There is Only One Network to Watch: EWTN Global Catholic
EWTN Global Catholic Network
September 16, 2015 - 5:17 PDT

GHIRELLI'S WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES ROSARIES NOW AVAILABLE
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
September 11, 2015 - 11:44 PDT

The Synod on the Family: Addressing the Instrumentum Laboris
Franciscan University of Steubenville
September 11, 2015 - 10:26 PDT

OCP Artist, Pedro Rubalcava, Writes Song for Pope Francis' Visit
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
September 10, 2015 - 2:50 PDT

Pre-Synod Conference unites Cardinals and men and women living with homosexual tendencies
September 09, 2015 - 2:58 PDT

The Rigging of a Vatican Synod
September 02, 2015 - 3:44 PDT

17 Cardinals and Counting
August 31, 2015 - 3:38 PDT

19th Annual Carnival Announced for St. Ann's Parish
August 28, 2015 - 9:20 PDT

The John Paul II International Film Festival Marks Its Five-Year Anniversary
August 27, 2015 - 6:09 PDT

OCP Pledges to Support the V Encuentro
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 27, 2015 - 2:51 PDT

Thu, Sept 24, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Angelos Sebastian Our Lady of Grace Catholic Chu
August 26, 2015 - 4:03 PDT

Grief, Death, Eternal Life Explored in New Catholic Title by PBM
Pauline Books & Media
August 25, 2015 - 3:55 PDT

How do we live the truth in love when the culture says we're haters?
August 25, 2015 - 9:52 PDT

Right Next to Disneyland: Theater Meets Faith
Saint Luke Productions
August 19, 2015 - 1:29 PDT

OCP Parish Grant Program to Distribute $200,000 to U.S. Parishes
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 18, 2015 - 1:23 PDT

Franciscan University Joins With UK School to Offer Online Master of Catechetics Degree
Franciscan University of Steubenville
August 05, 2015 - 2:20 PDT

CONOR GALLAGHER NAMED PUBLISHER OF TAN BOOKS AND SAINT BENEDICT PRESS
Saint Benedict Press & TAN Books
July 20, 2015 - 12:49 PDT

Thérčse Drama Surprises Audiences
Saint Luke Productions
July 16, 2015 - 12:35 PDT

Catholic Press Association Honors Liguori
Liguori Publications
July 10, 2015 - 8:29 PDT

Crosier Order elects master general and councilors
June 26, 2015 - 2:06 PDT

World Library Publications Honored With Three Paul Revere Awards
World Library Publications
June 23, 2015 - 4:11 PDT

Indie Catholic Authors June Ebook Sale Offers the Faithful 17 Books Outside the Mainstream
Four Waters press
June 23, 2015 - 12:10 PDT

Limitless Love in Action: First Steubenville Youth Conference Inspires Teens to Bring the Fire Home
Franciscan University of Steubenville
June 18, 2015 - 2:03 PDT

Franciscan University of Steubenville Athletic Director Enshrined in Sports Faith Hall of Fame
Franciscan University of Steubenville
May 29, 2015 - 1:53 PDT

AWARD-WINNING CATHOLIC AUTHORS TEAM-UP TO PROMOTE HEALING THROUGH FORGIVENESS
Pauline Books & Media
May 27, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

NY CONCERT FOR NEPAL 5/31
May 27, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

Who's responsible for designing the designer?
May 19, 2015 - 11:12 PDT

Thu, Jun 11, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Bill Adams at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
May 13, 2015 - 4:21 PDT

Your search for true happiness is over
May 05, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

ValLimar Jansen's latest album "a soulful experience"
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
April 30, 2015 - 1:33 PDT

Uncovering the roots (and branches) of the greatest revolution in the American Catholic Church
April 28, 2015 - 9:45 PDT

NYC May 8, 2015 Spring Fling Catholic Singles Mingle Fundraiser
The Catholic Fellowship
April 18, 2015 - 9:07 PDT

Thank A Nun Day
Image Books/Random House
April 15, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

#TweetingwGod dares young people to believe
April 14, 2015 - 9:54 PDT

Experience Beloved: Finding happiness in marriage
April 13, 2015 - 1:27 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts to participate in 'Beloved' telepress conference
April 07, 2015 - 4:51 PDT

Nobis Media, Marketing & Web Development Company
April 01, 2015 - 5:49 PDT

Catholic toymaker puts Faith in hands and mouths of babies: Pope Francis doll added to line of toys
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
April 01, 2015 - 3:48 PDT

Concert Series Concludes with Winthrop University World Percussion Ensemble
April 01, 2015 - 2:48 PDT

Birth Choice Health Clinics Announces Transition to Obria Medical Clinics and Plans for Expansion
March 28, 2015 - 10:43 PDT

OCP releases expanded edition of Mass of the Sacred Heart
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 24, 2015 - 4:43 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts participate in 'Beloved' tele-press conference
March 21, 2015 - 11:57 PDT

Priest and Seminarian Join National Three-Point Contest to Benefit Marriage Ministry
Paradisus Dei
March 13, 2015 - 10:20 PDT

Shroud of Turin Exhibit At Holy Spirit Brighton
Holy Spirit Catholic Church and School
March 12, 2015 - 3:58 PDT

Flor y Canto campaign invites the Hispanic community to share their stories
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 11, 2015 - 4:40 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 10, 2015 - 6:36 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 09, 2015 - 7:04 PDT

Join RealOptions 2015 Walk for Life and 5K Run!
RealOptions Pregnancy Medical Clinics
March 09, 2015 - 2:40 PDT

New Orchestra Comes to Mary's Nativity Church
March 09, 2015 - 12:06 PDT

Paradisus Dei Offers New Marriage Program to Churches at No Cost
Paradisus Dei
March 05, 2015 - 6:25 PST

Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.

Catholic Online Logo

Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.

Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.