11
THE ANCHOR-Diocese of Fall River-Fri., April 27, 1984
uestion corner
~ ~
, '
By Father John Dietzen Q. Not long ago you respond-
many the finest moral theologian in the history of the church. In the first book of his "Theologia MoraUs," he, summarizes the conscientious way to reach " a decision.
THE
BIG
ed to a question about birth con.trol and referred to statements of national bishops' conferences about reaching a conscious de-Very simply, it is that if one _clsioDl. I frankly admit to being III at ease about the whole thing. choice is dearly less evil than 'later theologians As a pastor I know where my another good instincts are, but I'm not might put it: If one of the several sure how to put some things to- serious values involved is clear'ly more threatened than others gether the way I would like.
Would you answer two questions? Do you agree with Pope Paul's position on birth control In "Humanae Vitae?'.' And If you do, do you believe that contraception Is always. In every case, sinful for married couples? (LouIsiana)
A. Well, Father, you may be ill at ease about some things, but you have a knack for laying things on the -line. To respond to your first question. I agree absolutely with the Holy Father's statements concerning birth control In "Humanae Vitae," and the serious obligations of married people in this regard. Without going into detail here, I believe it is the only position the church could or should take in light of our Christian and Catholic moral tradition and of the experience of the human race in what contributes to the health and goodness of marriages and individuals. Whether contraception is always sinful for married couples is, however, an entirely different question. And it is not simply, as often suggested, a question of' "invincible ignorance." It goes to the heart of how we are to reach moral decisions in our lives with an honest conscience. One way or the other, statements of bishops and bishops' conferences responding to "Humanae Vitae" place such decisions in the context of what moral theology calls a "conscientia perplexia" - a complicated or, we might say, stymied conscience - in which an individual confronts two or more serious but conflicting obligations, one of which must be chosen. The bishops of Canada, for example, In their first statement after "Humanae Vitae," indicate four converging obligations that might occur in a decision about birth control: the duty of responsible concern for the children already born; the duties of conjugal relationships appropriate for the spiritual and emotional health of spouses and children; the health of the mother, and the duty to preserve the integrity of sexual relationships as they involve openness to new life or, if you will, not to use contraceptives. Note: All these obligations are extremely serious and all are "natural law" obligations, not simply laws of the church. One of the first modem theologians to deal with this dilemma was St. Alphonsus liguor; (d. 1787), still considered by
DAILY 5:00 to 6:00 P.M. ,SUNDAY 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. -ALSOCATERING fO WEDDINGS AND BANQUETS
":' ::;:;~ '.
FISHER Jft\iEN
NEW
-
Rte. 28, East Falmouth Hosts. Paul & Ellen
LUNCH, -
?
WIN T E RHO U R S CLOSED MOHDAYS -
1~;~' P~~U
~
FIt 11:30 A.M. to
Goul~t DINNER -Tues. lI'hru Sat. 5:00 to 9:00 P.M.
l . 路 Tel. 548-4266
SUNDAY 12:00 Noon to 6:00 ~~
~
- then the decision' must favor that better course. If it is impossible to discern which choice is less evil or more good, then whatever choice is made is not sinful; ,in effect, the individual in that situation lacks the necessary freedom for any, formal sin.
MSGR. FREDERICK 'R. McMANUS, a priest of the archdiocese of Boston and academic vice-president and professor of canon law at (If you're interested in referthe ,Catholic' University of ences, see St. Alphonsus 1:1:10; America, has been awarded and Noldin-Schmidt-Heinzel, "De Principilis," No. 214. More re- the Benemerenti Medal by. cent authors treat the same Pope John Paid II in recogthing, of course. I use these to nition of distinguished sershow that the principles the vice to the church. bishops and others use are not A widely-known canoninnovative, but are based on ist and liturgist, Msgr. Mc,:' solid theological tradition.) Manus was a consultant to Following St. Alphansus, the German bishops, for example, the pontifical commission commenting on "Humanae V,i- responsible for the new Code tae,", urged pastors to respect, of Canon Law and was a especially in the administration Vatican II peritus on litof the sacraments, the decisions urgy. of conscience of the faithful, made in the awareness. of their responsibility." The Canadians said: "Whoever honestly chooses the' course which seems right to him does so in good conscience." And the U.S. bishops urge those who have resorted to birth control to "continue to take full advantage of the strength which comes from the sacrament of penance, and the grace, healing and strength of the Eucharist." Some of these bishops, and others, incidentally, spoke also of the difficu.lties knowledgeable people might hav~ accepting the teaching of "Humanae Vitae," and how this also could diminish culpability. 1 will be happy to send some further specific references if you feel they would be helpful for study. If it sounds complicated, it is. And it should be. We're dealing here with some of the most precious values in human life. But if we look carefully at our other serious decisions, we will discover' we're going through this same process for all of them. What bishops have said is that decisions relating to family planning and marriage are to be reached, with prayer, faith and confidence in God's help, in the same way.
PATRICK 'c. McCARTHY, Clinir:al Social Worker announces his Full Time Practice
LICSW
of I ndilJidual, Marriage
and Family Counseling in association with INEZ L. BUSCH, M.D. 19 County Road J\.1attapoisett, MA 02739 758-3754
laf&:::Sed ~O CathoDe I'
CHOUC . . . .SS theancho SUBSCRIBE JODAY!
Questions for this column should be sent to Father Dieten, Holy TrinIty Parish. 704 N. MaIn St., Bloomington, fiL 61701.
This Message Sponsored by the Following Business Concerns
Worthless Bread
in the Diocese of Fall River
"Ill-gotten wealth is bread most appetizing that will yet tum to grit in the mouth." Provo 20:17
DURO FINiSHING CORP. THE EXTERMINATOR CO.
FALL RIVER TRAVEL BUREAU GLOBE MANUFACTURING CO.
GILBERT C. OLIVEIRA INS. AGENCY
".-