Humanae Vitae is an encyclical which was issued by Pope Paul VI in 1968. In the encyclical the Pope reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s ban on the use of contraceptives. He reaffirmed the ban despite a recommendation for change by a Church Commission established by Pope John XXIII.
The encyclical was controversial and divisive. It was welcomed by some but for the first time in history a large proportion of the laity openly dissented from the teachings of the church. It is argued that the encyclical marked the beginning of the decline of the influence of the Catholic Church.
Humanae Vitae, which reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s ban on the use of contraceptives was issued by the Vatican in the year 1968 On This Day.
Pope Paul VI