Humanae Mortis

Catholic New Times, Dec 18, 2005 by Pauline McCall

When the papal document, Humanae Vitae, came out in 1968 it was a response to the birth control pill, which turned out to be 10 times stronger than medically necessary. So Humane Vitae may have saved lives.

But we now live in a time when HIV and AIDS are decimating entire populations in Africa and elsewhere. Millions of children are orphans who carry the infection.

So Humanae Vitae becomes "Humane Mortis," calling on people to be open to a death-dealing virus. Our Lord might say to this teaching and today's religious leaders: "You place heavy burdens on people's backs yet you won't move them with one of your fingers.' (Matt.23: 4)

"Are papal documents written in stone for all time? The church at present is saying to powerless women: "You cannot protect yourself from the HIV virus because condom use is not morally clean."

Pauline McCall

Kitchener, Ont.