Janet Smith takes on Charles Curran in a debate about Catholic teachings on contraception.
Investigating NFP: Contraception Debate
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Investigating NFP: Pius XII
Click here to read the previous post in this series.
I have recently come to the (re)realization that bishops are the authoritative teaching body of the Church. As such, it is their responsibility to properly and effectively teach such sticky subjects as the regulation of births. However, those teachings must be in accord with the Bishop of Rome and magisterium of the Church, so I still think there is merit in exploring the relevant papal documents. Let us then continue by hearing the thoughts of Pope Pius XII.
I had thought that Pius XII had written an encyclical about contraception. As it turns out, the only statements he made about the subject were in in various allocutions (addresses) to associations of doctors and the like. These don't carry nearly the same weight as encyclicals and are certainly not infallible. An exploration of the doctrinal authority of papal allocutions can be found here, but I cannot vouch for its accuracy. Nevertheless, Paul VI quotes from these addresses extensively in Humane Vitae, thus lending some of theauthority of an encyclical. I searched for the texts of these addresses and only found the 1951 Address to Midwives on the Nature of Their Profession and the 1958 Address to Officers and Representatives of the Associations for Large Families-of Rome and of Italy. If anyone knows where I might find the rest of them, I'd be indebted. Anyhow, here's the address to midwives.
“Is the Catholic Church who she claims to be?”
From Al Kimel, the Pontificator:
The Salty Vicar has published the following letter he recently received from an individual inquiring into the Episcopal Church:
I am seeking to learn more about the Episcopalian Church. I am currently taking RCIA classes at my local Catholic church and want badly to convert but am assailed with doubts for the following reasons: the Church’s stance on divorce, birth control, abortion, homosexuality and women as priests. I am a liberal and cannot and will not betray my conscience by accepting the teachings of the Church hierarchy that I view to be implicitly wrong. I love Christ will all my heart and long to serve him, but don’t know if I can reconcile my personal belief system with these teachings, not to mention the overall alarmingly conservative outlook of many Catholics. I know that many former Catholics have become members of the Episcopalian Church. Do you know of any yourself? Is it true that many have become members since Pope Benedict took his place in the Holy See?
I have encountered some Catholics online who are progressive and share my views but they seem to be the minority, alas. I’m feeling pretty lost right now and I don’t know where I can find a home, so to speak, a church that will accept and embrace my views. I love so many aspects of Catholicism, the dignity of Mass, the sacraments, the emphasis on social justice, but don’t want to feel as if I’m living a lie but rejecting other teachings. Does the Episcopalian Church offer the sacrament of Reconciliation? I don’t know if I could stand to leave this behind. Thanks for taking the time to read this.
* * * * *
Dear Inquirer,
I applaud your commitment not to betray your conscience “by accepting the teachings of the Church hierarchy” that you believe to be wrong. The Catholic Church teaches that the conscience is the voice of God and therefore a person should and must obey his conscience, even though it is possible that he may have misheard the divine voice. “It is never lawful,” Cardinal Newman writes, “to go against our conscience.” However, we also have a moral obligation to inform and train our conscience. How are we to do so?
You write that you disagree with the Catholic Church’s positions on divorce and remarriage, birth control, abortion, homosexuality, and the male priesthood. May I suggest that you bracket these convictions for a moment and consider a more fundamental question: Is the Catholic Church who she claims to be? This question must be asked and answered before you can reasonably address the specific teachings of the Catholic Church, for if the Catholic claim is true, then you will be forced to reconsider your present beliefs…
Upcoming Newman Club Events
Hello everyone!Hope everyone enjoyed their spring break. To keep you from getting bored so soon, the Newman Club has several up-coming activities which are definitely worth checking out:~As this Friday is St. Patrick’s Day, our usual dinner and a movie will be Irish-themed. Steve Kesslar will be cooking us some delicious “potato stew” (meatless since it’s Lent), and if we’re lucky, perhaps some Irish soda bread as well. The movie this week will be a classic, The Quiet Man starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Dinner’s served at 6:30, movie starts rolling at 7:00. And wear your Irish gear (green t-shirt, shamrock stickers, Kiss Me I’m Irish pins, or whatever else you can scrounge up) if you want to be extra-festive. Which really, you should. J~This Sunday, there’s Q+A and ice cream at 7:00 as usual. Joining us this week will be the Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth from Tunkhannock, PA.~The sisters will also be hosting a special Holy Hour at the Newman Center on Wednesday, March 22 at 7:20 pm. This will include prayer, song, and a reflection on the Eucharist and Healing. Also, before the Holy Hour, we welcome students to a pasta dinner (to start at 6:00). If you plan to attend the dinner, please RSVP at the NC by March 21st. To learn more about the Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth, visit www.penitents.org/capuchinsisters.html.~We have another retreat coming up soon! The weekend of March 24th-26th, Fr. Mike will take a group of students out to Rednal, our retreat house in Ligonier, PA. The theme this month is “God is Love”, where we’ll reflect on the mystery of love and look into the new encyclical from Pope Benedict XVI. Transportation is provided – we usually leave around 6:00 on Friday, and return by 1:00 on Sunday. Retreats are excellent times both to learn about the Faith, and to get to know people better (and have a great amount of fun doing so). So I encourage everyone to consider coming! There’s a sign-up sheet at the front desk of the Newman Center, or you can e-mail Fr. Mike (mjdarcy@pittsburghoratory.org) if you want to sign up. $20 donation recommended.~Fridays during Lent, there will be Stations of the Cross at Heinz Chapel at 12:30pm, or the Newman Center at 4:30pm.~A reminder about our Bible Study groups:This semester, we’re discussing The Bible and the Mass. Groups are always glad to have new members!Grad students: Tuesdays at 6:00. Contact Cecilia at cey4@pitt.eduUndergrads (co-ed): Thursdays at 7:00. Contact Jason at jgg4@pitt.eduWomen undergrads: Thursdays at 8:00. Contact Niki at ncb10@pitt.eduHave a wonderful week, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!Christine WinschelPitt NC SecretaryAlso, remember to check back occasionally on our website, as pictures get updated after most big events! http://www.pitt.edu/~sorc/oratory/index.html
Christopher West in Pittsburgh
Those reading and commenting on my series of posts about NFP might be interested in this.
God, Sex and the Meaning of Life: An Introduction to Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body
Christopher West
Wednesday, April 5, 2006 7:30 p.m.
Many think they understand what the church teaches about the body and the relationship between man and woman. However, the deeper reasons – the why of these teachings – are not well understood. The human body is meant to be a sign of God’s own life and love in the world. Join Christopher West for a thought provoking presentation that will enrich your understanding of human sexuality and the spiritual power it contains.Christopher West teaches the theology of the body at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver and at the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Melbourne, Australia. He also serves as the Theology of the Body Staff Advisor for the GIFT Foundation. His books, extensive lecturing, numerous tapes, and his radio and TV appearances have sparked an international groundswell of interest in John Paul II’s theology of the body. He is married to Wendy and has three children.
Comments and Questions: Diocese of Pittsburgh Department for Communications