Human Life in Our Day
The collective pastoral letter of the Catholic bishops of the United States issued on 15 November 1968. Its chapter on the family receives Humanae vitae as authoritative teaching and sets out norms for theological dissent.
The introduction says that the letter will treat life in the family and life in a peaceful world order; the page linked here gives its first chapter, “The Christian Family”. In it the bishops call the encyclical an obligatory and authoritative statement and proclaim its doctrine in union with the pope. They add that the encyclical does not undertake to judge the consciences of individuals. Under the heading “Norms of licit theological dissent” they say that there is always a presumption in favour of the teaching office, and that dissent from teaching that is not infallible may be expressed only if the reasons are serious and well founded, the manner does not impugn the church’s teaching authority, and no scandal is given.
It is the bishops’ own text. See Humanae Vitae.
Cited in
- 25 July 1968, firm date