The Papal Commission on Birth Control-revisited.

Area of Science:

• Theology
• Bioethics
• Catholic Social Teaching

Background:

• The Papal Commission on Population, the Family, and Birth-rate convened from 1963-1966.
• A Majority Report recommended altering the Church's stance on contraception, challenging Casti connubii.
• A Minority Report by Dr. Germain Grisez and Fr. John C. Ford opposed this change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine historical documents related to the papal commission's deliberations on contraception.
• To analyze the contributions of Karol Cardinal Wojtyla et al. on conjugal life principles.
• To connect these historical events to the promotion of natural family planning (NFP) and consistent Catholic teaching.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of historical documents, including the "materials prepared for Cardinal Ottaviani."
• Review of contributions concerning the principles of conjugal life from 1966.
• Examination of documents released by Dr. Grisez in 2011.

Main Results:

• The Majority Report's recommendation to change the teaching on contraception was not adopted.
• Pope Paul VI's 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae reaffirmed the traditional teaching.
• Dr. Grisez's later release of documents provided further context on the commission's proceedings.

Conclusions:

• The historical analysis supports the enduring principles of natural family planning (NFP).
• The study underscores the consistency of Catholic Church teaching on marriage and procreation.
• The work highlights the significance of the Minority Report and subsequent documentation in understanding this debate.