Yes, it came up 40 years ago and was seriously considered. Doesn’t the mere fact that it was given such serious consideration (the Vatican studied the question for something like six years) indicate that change is possible? If the doctrine can’t ever ever ever change for any reason, why did Paul VI need six years and a commission to arrive at his decision? Little happens quickly in the Church - which is generally a good thing. But over time things do change. I don’t know that this will be one of them, but it could be.
One thing that most forget in this argument is that Humanae Vitae did not introduce a ban on artificial contraception. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This has been the consistent teaching of the Church.
Take, for example, Pius XI’s Encyclical
Casti Connubii:
53. And now, Venerable Brethren, we shall explain in detail the evils opposed to each of the benefits of matrimony. First consideration is due to the offspring, which many have the boldness to call the disagreeable burden of matrimony and which they say is to be carefully avoided by married people not through virtuous continence (which Christian law permits in matrimony when both parties consent) but by frustrating the marriage act. Some justify this criminal abuse on the ground that they are weary of children and wish to gratify their desires without their consequent burden. Others say that they cannot on the one hand remain continent nor on the other can they have children because of the difficulties whether on the part of the mother or on the part of family circumstances.
- But no reason, however grave, may be put forward by which anything intrinsically against nature may become conformable to nature and morally good. Since, therefore, the conjugal act is destined primarily by nature for the begetting of children, those who in exercising it deliberately frustrate its natural power and purpose sin against nature and commit a deed which is shameful and intrinsically vicious.(He continues to speak about it through paragraph 62)
By the way, please note that Casti Connubii was published in 1930. You know what else happened in 1930? The Seventh Lambeth Conference.
You may or may not be familiar with the details, but it was
Resolution 15 of the Seventh Lambeth Conference that said the following:
Where there is clearly felt moral obligation to limit or avoid parenthood, the method must be decided on Christian principles. The primary and obvious method is complete abstinence from intercourse (as far as may be necessary) in a life of discipline and self-control lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless in those cases where there is such a clearly felt moral obligation to limit or avoid parenthood, and where there is a morally sound reason for avoiding complete abstinence, the Conference agrees that other methods may be used, provided that this is done in the light of the same Christian principles. The Conference records its strong condemnation of the use of any methods of conception control from motives of selfishness, luxury, or mere convenience.Compare that to the language of the
68th resolution of the previous conference in 1920:
We utter an emphatic warning against the use of unnatural means for the avoidance of conception, together with the grave dangers - physical, moral and religious - thereby incurred, and against the evils with which the extension of such use threatens the race.
This 1930 Lambeth Conference was the first instance of a Christian ecclesial body (the Anglican Communion) approving any kind of artificial contraception.
Why bring up this history? Because Christianity, as a whole, and Catholicism, in particular, have always…ALWAYS…disapproved of artificial contraception. This opposition is not something that was put in place in 1968. Folks claim that the Church might change on this. The Church is as likely to change on the value of monogamy as change on the idea of artificial contraception. Bottom line is that it just isn’t going to happen. Period.