Absolutely. He predicted that the use of artificial contraception would increase pornography use, increase divorce rates, encourage adultery, and by extention increase abortions. All those things have come to pass and clearly the Holy Spirit was guiding the Pope in his very unpopular decision (according to the world’s standards). Look at how many Protestant denominations that have gone off the rails as a result of their endorsement of contraception (among other things).
Having lived both before and after the promulgation of Humanae Vitae, I can personally attest that this is absolutely true. Everything the pope predicted has come to pass, in worse measure than anyone living at the time could have anticipated.
I think this testimony is proof that the Holy Spirit is guiding the Living Church.
It’s definitely prophetic, but in more than one way.
I also lived before and after this promulgation. However, if you remember correctly, Paul VI first issued Progressio Populorum and then later, as more and more Catholics became convinced that the Vatican would allow the pill, the Pope had assembled many moral theologians who had strong arguments for the pill. And he had them convene some more. It was not an overnight cut-and dried decision. The news media had a field day with it. Finally Paul VI came out with his Humanae Vitae, which was forceful enough, but many priests had already told their congregations to “use their conscience” in this matter.
It was widely expected that Pope Paul VI was going to relent on contraception. HV was a great disappointment to liberal forces in the Church, but it proved that, truly, the Holy Spirit is in charge no matter what.
I know. I wish His Holiness had shown that fortitude on a number of other issues. He supposedly was horrified by the new Mass Bishop Bugnini and co. composed, but thought things had gone too far to turn back. When you see a quote likek this from the Bishop:
you can see why the Holy Father was worried.
Very well said, 1ke. What Paul VI said was going to happen is certainly all around us today “in spades.” At the time I was one of the scoffers, but we get more wise as we age. At least I pray that is so. In spite of my scoffing I have never taught anyone that the Church was wrong on this; a guilt which I still thank God for sparing me from.
Yes that’s the problem. I bet it made a lot of Catholics say that too. If the Mass now seems “Protestant”, what else were the Protetstants right about?
Well, Paul VI did say that the “smoke of Satan” had entered the Church in 1973. However, it seems that much of this was his own doing.