I think this is long awaited and hope it becomes a reality, that these positions are revisited, this time with the approval of the Church.
A new essay titled “Rileggere l’etica teologica della vita,” which translates to English as “Re-reading the theological ethics of life” and was published June 30 in La Civilta’ Cattolica—the Jesuit-led periodical whose content is approved by the Vatican’s Secretariat of State before publication—could place renewed emphasis on this often fraught area of reflection in the life of the church. Interesting times lie ahead if the reflections reported in the essay speak to what may be afoot at the Vatican.
The seminar was itself convened as a response to the work of eight theologians (men and women) who had been commissioned by the same pontifical academy a year before the seminar to reflect on fundamental aspects of the moral theology of life and bioethical concerns that touch on such contentious issues as contraception, in vitro fertilization and the suspension of nutrition and hydration for terminally ill persons. It also took account of what the different disciplines of modern science and technology had to contribute to the discussion at hand.
The subject that is likely to draw most attention is the revisiting of the question regarding the use of artificial contraceptives, discussed in the seventh chapter. The use of contraceptives was rejected by “Humanae Vitae,” but that teaching was to a large extent not accepted in much of the Catholic world. Both in the seminar and in the book it is affirmed that a couple can make a “wise choice” by having recourse to contraceptive techniques, “obviously excluding those that are abortive,” in situations where the “conditions and practical circumstances would make it irresponsible to choose to procreate.” Whether Pope Francis will endorse this position remains to be seen.
“Traditionally, both the magisterium and theological reflection have held that the negative norms bind with greater force,” Father Ferrer wrote in his essay for La Civilta’ Cattolica, “without any exception, independent of the circumstances and consequences.” He said, “This doctrine was vigorously reaffirmed” by John Paul II in his encyclicals ‘Veritatis Splendor’ (1993) and ‘Evangelium Vitae’ (1995).” But, the Puerto Rican Jesuit noted, the text drafted by the theologians of pontifical academy for discussion concludes that this rigorist position has been criticized in recent decades by moral theologians who say it is excessively “rationalist” and leads to “a limited understanding of the moral norm and of the role of conscience.”
Birth control, IVF, euthanasia: The Vatican encouraged dialogue on polarizing life issues. Is a papal encyclical next? | America Magazine
A new essay titled “Rileggere l’etica teologica della vita,” which translates to English as “Re-reading the theological ethics of life” and was published June 30 in La Civilta’ Cattolica—the Jesuit-led periodical whose content is approved by the Vatican’s Secretariat of State before publication—could place renewed emphasis on this often fraught area of reflection in the life of the church. Interesting times lie ahead if the reflections reported in the essay speak to what may be afoot at the Vatican.
The seminar was itself convened as a response to the work of eight theologians (men and women) who had been commissioned by the same pontifical academy a year before the seminar to reflect on fundamental aspects of the moral theology of life and bioethical concerns that touch on such contentious issues as contraception, in vitro fertilization and the suspension of nutrition and hydration for terminally ill persons. It also took account of what the different disciplines of modern science and technology had to contribute to the discussion at hand.
The subject that is likely to draw most attention is the revisiting of the question regarding the use of artificial contraceptives, discussed in the seventh chapter. The use of contraceptives was rejected by “Humanae Vitae,” but that teaching was to a large extent not accepted in much of the Catholic world. Both in the seminar and in the book it is affirmed that a couple can make a “wise choice” by having recourse to contraceptive techniques, “obviously excluding those that are abortive,” in situations where the “conditions and practical circumstances would make it irresponsible to choose to procreate.” Whether Pope Francis will endorse this position remains to be seen.
“Traditionally, both the magisterium and theological reflection have held that the negative norms bind with greater force,” Father Ferrer wrote in his essay for La Civilta’ Cattolica, “without any exception, independent of the circumstances and consequences.” He said, “This doctrine was vigorously reaffirmed” by John Paul II in his encyclicals ‘Veritatis Splendor’ (1993) and ‘Evangelium Vitae’ (1995).” But, the Puerto Rican Jesuit noted, the text drafted by the theologians of pontifical academy for discussion concludes that this rigorist position has been criticized in recent decades by moral theologians who say it is excessively “rationalist” and leads to “a limited understanding of the moral norm and of the role of conscience.”
Birth control, IVF, euthanasia: The Vatican encouraged dialogue on polarizing life issues. Is a papal encyclical next? | America Magazine
