Roman Catholics: A Stern No to Birth Control

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Seldom has a theological pronouncement been so anxiously awaited as Pope Paul's long-promised verdict on birth control. A special pontifical commission agonized over the subject for five years.

Roman Catholics the world over found themselves in a somewhat ambiguous moral position while the re-examination went on; it is no secret that many confessors have given permission to penitents to practice birth control on the old principle that lex dubia non obligat — a doubtful law is not binding. Now Pope Paul has decided to remove the doubt by restating Roman Catholicism's traditional view that any artificial interference with procreation is sinful.

Last week the first copy of a new papal encyclical on the subject became available. Its essence was contained in these uncompromising words: "Conforming to fundamental principles of the human and Christian vision of marriage, we must once again state that there must be excluded absolutely, as a licit way in which to regulate births, the direct interruption of the generative process."

The Pope's stern no, while not unexpected, is nonetheless a massive blow to liberals in the Roman Catholic Church, and to Catholics in general who had entertained hopes that Paul would somehow find a way at least to soften the church's proscription. It is bound to have wide-reaching effects. It will almost certainly cause confusion and dissension in the church, particularly among the young and among the now disillusioned liberals, both laymen and clerics. Most important of all, it will inevitably increase doubts among many Catholics about their church's ability to keep abreast of changing times. It will make more difficult the church's work in poor, overpopulated countries, especially in Latin America.

Vetoing 80%. Originally set up by Pope John XXIII, the commission on birth control was composed of lay and clerical experts in the field, and included medical doctors and sociologists. In June 1966, the commission submitted its final report to the Pope, and authoritative sources reported that 80% of the commission had favored a relaxation of the church's prohibition of artificial contraception. Nevertheless, Paul continued to ponder the issue. Word gradually spread that he had decided to veto the views of the commission majority. Last June, Vienna's Franziskus Cardinal König, who had been briefed on the Pope's decision, pleaded with Paul to reconsider. König argued that a reaffirmation of the birth control ban would "do the church much damage."