Understanding of Humanae Vitae and Nuptial Mystery by Fr Dr Charles Chew

By Julita, SOCCOM Tawau

Tawau : The Parish Family Life Ministry of Holy Trinity Parish Tawau conducted two series of talk on family, facilitated by Rev. Fr. Dr. Charles Chew of the Keningau Diocese, one each on 6th and 27th September respectively.

Fr Dr Charles responded to the invitation, extended to him by the Parish Priest, Msgr Nicholas Ong. Both talks were attended by some 60 parishioners at the Upper Room of the Parish Hall from 12.00 noon to 3.00 pm. 

The talks focused on the encyclical letter of 'Humanae Vitae' and 'Christ's Teaching on Marriage'  followed by the 'Nuptial Mystery.' Both topics are informative and it enhanced the knowledge and understanding on the church document, teaching and mission to the family.

The prophecies on human life by Pope Paul VI on his 'Humanae Vitae' document  foresee the future culture of man on the transmission of life. Unity and pro-creation issues which has been debated by most people in the early 1960s, has revealed its truth in this century especially in the regulation of birth, social or public relationship, sexualism and many more that conquer the purpose and value of sacred union between man and woman.

The other topic on the 'Nuptial Mystery' touched on the original plan of God in creating man and woman. The journey continues when both united under the sacrament of marriage, the sign of God’s love and salvation to the couple as parents and setting out to form the family, the basic cell in society.

This topic indeed had helped the participants to understand the causes to various challenges and trials encountered by family today. 'God has given us freedom to choose between bad and evil and at the same time we are also given the inner conscious or conscience for us to discern God’s demand. All the trials in our journey of life are indeed transpired from the desire of our heart and through our conscience we are free to choose.'

A session was set aside to reflect on  1 John 2:15-17, ¹⁵ Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father^[a] is not in them. ¹⁶ For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷ The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Both topics presented are indeed an eye opener to all. In order to sustain human value and to protect the future generation, everyone is obliged to pray for one other, for the family, society and generally for everybody in the present and future. It is pertinent to understand the teaching of the church as it is essential to be the instrument of 're-evangelization' on the value of human life through the family.