Humanae Vitae 4

HUMANAE VITAE

ENCYCLICAL OF POPE PAUL VI
ON THE REGULATION OF BIRTH

JULY 25, 1968

Interpreting the Moral Law

4. This kind of question requires from the teaching authority of the Church a new and deeper reflection on the principles of the moral teaching on marriage—a teaching which is based on the natural law as illuminated and enriched by divine Revelation.

No member of the faithful could possibly deny that the Church is competent in her magisterium to interpret the natural moral law. It is in fact indisputable, as Our predecessors have many times declared, (l) that Jesus Christ, when He communicated His divine power to Peter and the other Apostles and sent them to teach all nations His commandments, (2) constituted them as the authentic guardians and interpreters of the whole moral law, not only, that is, of the law of the Gospel but also of the natural law. For the natural law, too, declares the will of God, and its faithful observance is necessary for men's eternal salvation. (3)

In carrying out this mandate, the Church has always issued appropriate documents on the nature of marriage, the correct use of conjugal rights, and the duties of spouses. These documents have been more copious in recent times. (4)

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WOW! Does the Church have the justification to give an authoritative answer? It certainly accepts the demands of that responsibility. Some claim that the Church has reached out and grasped its authority. This is a mistaken claim. True authority can only be received from the Giver, the Author Himself. Even Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." When sending the disciples He said, "I give you authority". Authority can only be received.

It is tyranny that takes for itself the responsibility of authority without actually having been given the authority. In this way tyranny looks like authority in what it does but it is not authoritative. I could give numerous examples of tyranny assuming responsibility where it has no authority. The easiest to see would be the State assuming the responsibility for raising children.

It is a manly way to lead, embracing one's God given authority and ensuing responsibility. This responsibility to lead is inseparable to being like Christ, who is the Ultimate Head, leading responsibly in the spirit of truth and love.

What does genuine authority that doesn't embrace responsibility look like? The passive husband that lets his wife run the home. The passive father that lets his child do whatever the child wants. The passive Judge that allows criminals to go free. The passive Priest or even Bishop that does nothing to curb sin and error in the flock under his care. They have made themselves eunuchs and cease to be real men.

Real men know that their authority comes from a higher one and therefore, they must be first to lead in submission and humility. That is why the Church speaks to men in regard to this most serious issue of the transmission of life. MEN, listen!