Clearly, then, we will need to base a solution to our present problem on something more solid than the opinions of theologians.
I mean, even if Humanae Vitae were determined to be just a "regular, garden variety" encyclical, who would have the standing to mount a serious dissent?
I've never encountered an intellectually serious dissent.
But... but... as the unmarried man said to the Cahtolic physician who would not give him a prescription for Viagra ...
"I have NEEDS!"
The possibly worthwhile part of my point was that it's not just Humanae Vitae, it's a gazillion years of teaching. I understand, Bro mark, what you're saying. guess I'm just saying that if we got a telegram from God saying,
"Humanae Vitae somehow formally falls short of an infallible act, Yours in Me, God",
the teaching is still secure. It's not so much the opinions of soi-disant theologians (heck, I'M a theologian, and I don't believe me, most of the time) as the quod semper, ubique, et ab omnibus aspect of the thing.