The 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae (“Of human life”) and its rejection of contraception will inevitably be discussed at the 5-19 October synod on family life. Some or probably many of the bishops and others who meet for that synod may not be aware of what in 1977 the patriarch of Venice, Cardinal Albino Luciani (who became Pope John Paul I the following year), and the bishops of 14 neighbouring dioceses wrote in their Book of Prayer for the dioceses of Triveneto. When outlining an examination of conscience for married people who approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the patriarch and the other bishops proposed the following three questions: “In agreement with my spouse, have I given a clear and conscientious answer to the problem of birth control? Have I prevented a c