Moral theology after Humanae Vitae

By Vincent Twomey

Book Description

In the decades following Pope Paul VI's controversial 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae, Catholic moral theology found itself at a crossroads. Vincent Twomey examines this pivotal moment when many leading theologians openly challenged papal teaching, creating ripples that continue to shape religious discourse today.

This scholarly exploration delves into the fundamental shifts in moral theology that emerged from this unprecedented dissent. Twomey situates these developments within the broader context of modernity, analyzing how cultural forces influenced theological thinking and practice. Rather than simply chronicling controversy, he offers a constructive path forward through the recovery of virtue-based moral reflection.

Central to Twomey's approach is a fresh examination of human sexuality within moral theology, moving beyond the polarized debates that have dominated discussions. He argues for returning to virtue as the foundation for ethical reasoning, providing readers with a framework that transcends the limitations of purely rule-based approaches to morality.

The author also undertakes a careful reading of Humanae Vitae itself, exploring the doctrinal insights that have often been overshadowed by controversy. Through this analysis, Twomey illuminates why this papal document remains a source of ongoing tension both within Catholic circles and in broader society.

For readers seeking to understand how traditional moral wisdom can engage with contemporary challenges, this work offers both historical perspective and constructive theological reflection on questions that continue to resonate in spiritual and ethical discourse.