Sir, – Archbishop Barry James Hickey spoke at the Eucharistic Congress about the church’s teaching on contraception (Home News June 13th). Without intending to be pedantic, he more correctly could have referred to the church’s monologue on contraception. Teaching happens only when the learners accept the material being proffered.
I think it is fair to say that throughout the world this material has been resoundingly rejected by the faithful. The encyclical Humanae Vitae was ever only a minority report and has, wisely, never been given infallible status. If one were to believe that the Spirit moves as she pleases and that she is not the captive of the ordained ministry there is reason to believe that, in this instance, the huge majority of dissenting Catholics have embraced the truth and that the Magisterium is out of communion with the people. – Yours, etc,