Petition Pope Francis to Review Catholic Teaching on Birth Control
Since the publication of Humanae Vitae over 40 years ago the Catholic Church has maintained that the use of artificial means of birth control are contrary to its teaching. In other words, the use of the pill and of condoms is regarded as sinful. Studies of Catholic practice in Western Europe and the North America suggest that the majority no longer follow this teaching. However, Catholics in many Third World countries do and are encouraged by their clergy to have large families despite living in the poorest conditions. Moreover, the failure of many to use methods of 'safe sex' has contributed to the spread of HIV and other STDs.
We petition Pope Francis - a man who has identiified himself with the poor - to reconsider this area of Catholic teaching as a matter of extreme urgency as we do not believe it to be "pro-life" to encourage large families when too many boys and girls are born into abject poverty and who will suffer as a result of malnutrician. All too many will die before they reach adulthood.
We also believe that failure to use methods of safe sex is a factor in the spread of life- threatening disease.
His Holiness, Pope Francis
The Papal Palace
Vatican City
Your Holiness,
Since the publication of Pope Paul VI's encyclical letter entitled Humanae Vitae in 1968 there have been many changes in our understanding of marriage and family life.
It is apparent that many Catholics in Third World countries are obedient to the principles of Catholic teaching in this area. Whilst one admires these people of great faith, it is also apparent that this teaching is having unforeseen consequences, which are, in my view, more evil than disobedience to Pope Paul VI's encyclical letter. The failure to follow methods of safe sex contributes to the spread of HIV and other STDs. In third world countries children are being born into abject poverty...too frequently dying as a result of malnutrician.
I believe it is not pro-life to encourage large families when the younger members will either die before adulthood or where the size of the family contributes to its continued poverty.
The contributors of this petition respectfully request that you reconsider Humanae Vitae in the hope that you will balance its conclusions against the needs of the poor.
I am your most obedient servant
David S M Smith
