Here's
a short article which does the service of pointing out a major problem in the first (and still the most commonly used) translation of
Humanae Vitae (link is to the good version). Actually, Janet Smith points out this problem in her
1991 book on HV, and always makes this point when speaking on the topic, but it's good to get the word out. Pauline translation:
In relation to physical, economic, psychological and social conditions, responsible parenthood is exercised, either by the deliberate and generous decision to raise a numerous family, or by the decision, made for grave motives and with due respect for the moral law, to avoid for the time being, or even for an indeterminate period, a new birth.
Which has led a certain minority of practicing Catholics to think the Church's policy is you must have as many kids as you can physiologically bear unless death threatens. Wrong, wrong, wrong. This is based on transliterating from the Italian and messing up the sentence structure. The Vatican translation, based on the Latin text, reads thus:
With regard to physical, economic, psychological and social conditions, responsible parenthood is exercised by those who prudently and generously decide to have more children, and by those who, for serious reasons and with due respect to moral precepts, decide not to have additional children for either a certain or an indefinite period of time. [my italics]
Big difference, eh? Although I'm not certain "
reducing my carbon footprint" is a valid reason.
