View source for Moral theology of John Paul I

Pope John Paul I's moral theology has been subject to debate, particularly regarding his views on contraception, abortion, homosexuality, and artificial insemination. As Bishop Albino Luciani, he initially supported the use of the contraceptive pill in a 1968 report to Pope Paul VI, but later defended the encyclical *Humanae Vitae*, which reaffirmed the Church's opposition to contraception. Despite this, he expressed personal doubts and hoped for future reconsideration of the issue. As pope, he refused to speak at a conference celebrating the 10th anniversary of *Humanae Vitae* and criticized the Church's stance on birth control in private conversations, suggesting that the moral teachings should address the realities of human suffering.

On abortion, Luciani strongly condemned it as a violation of God's law. Regarding homosexuality, he upheld traditional Catholic teaching, stating that sexuality must be expressed within heterosexual relationships defined by fidelity and indissolubility. 

In 1978, as pope, he addressed the issue of artificial insemination following the birth of the first test-tube baby. While expressing concerns about the potential misuse of such technologies, he refrained from condemning the parents, acknowledging their subjective intentions. However, he maintained the Church's stance that extrauterine fertilization was morally problematic and did not justify deviating from established norms. 

Overall, while John Paul I expressed some personal reservations about certain teachings, his public actions and statements consistently aligned with Catholic doctrine during his tenure as pope.