Abstract:
The Pontifical Commission for the Study of Population, Family and Births was
established by Pope John XXIII in March 1963. Originally, it comprised six
members, whose number increased gradually with time. In June 1966, 33
representatives of the laity and 41 of the clergy attended the fifth and final
meeting. The group’s primary purpose was to discuss population growth in
relation to Catholic teaching on fertility. Eventually, other aspects were taken
into consideration, such as moral principles behind marital doctrine, sexuality,
and birth control. In the 1960s, these subjects became a matter of debate
within Catholicism, especially in the Unites States. The moral dilemma over
birth control can be considered as a turning point in the history of the Catholic
faith in North America.
This research is based on a comparative analysis of the reports produced by
the Commission and of the studies submitted by the two married couples the
American Crowleys and the Canadian Potvins. All documents have been
consulted at the University of Notre Dame Archives.
The analysis of these documents shed light on the Catholic attitude towards
sexuality and the possibility of some forms of birth control such as the rhythm
method and artificial contraception. If in 1963 procreation was considered as
the most important end of marriage, by 1966, closely associated with the
increase in lay participation, the Commission’s majority advised Pope Paul VI
to overturn the hierarchy of marital ends, to place conjugal love at the top.
Furthermore, it demanded a lift of the long-standing ban on contraception.
Similarly, in the two studies produced by the couples based on the personal
experiences of North American Catholics, a considerable number of
respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the rhythm method and with
Catholic doctrine on marriage. In particular, they resented Church attitudes
towards the role of conjugal love, responsible parenthood, and sexuality in
marriage.
Although the dilemmas that the Commission experienced are mirrored in its
reports, the conclusions were in favour of a doctrinal change of the traditional
vision of marriage and sexuality, mostly thanks to the North American
couples’ participation.
