Editorials
the and aff. tf bewigpa-HPFflpace, <hey were generous MaybHH^^^^^^^HpSFCoegfegadon for the "doctrine of tee Faith launchWmeaPBPPHITO^ritlia news conference m Rooie? None «f that would have...
...If the "Instruction" were merely to be a club with wldchw ge*^» world's ^attention, it succeeded admirably, tf, as one supposes, It unir' rttiri tlj^iiT III ¥"111 effective instrument for bringing me best of the chulch'* iii1iiiiinriiiiTJ|)jyititii|Tlti Bear on large and frightening problems, then ft was5 a ¦ttOem^i^iimf^^^^'The Vatican's call for hafne«ing medical science to tbe 1 r nlhi 'inr^M^WpjpliC is surejy welcome, Inn il i ii|ii i ifl 11 in liiiiinii nil mi li i n lliiii i|i'ii|l ('fQlilfelffl'l'tl on a narrow and controverted foo%itg, It view* morality « a nia^v<nMHi|i| The "Instruction" simply igaoB^^'jbow^r ojwer ibe <0^ffefhsl0^S^j^j^lii repeatedly raised against this Hoe of J^aMokig...
...In what way, one f from a statement that might h H ii...
...infertile c little sense otH ing, and no H and gray areas wnn jj have a hard time H importance when the "Kl civil law...
...But it would be a mistake simply to lump this statement with those other disagreements...
...Hunks...
...H In one respect, the " Instruction'THHMPP scientifically well-informed...
...Those ^b9ifmxi^MmS^Sl they include • large pKporttaft:d«M!ie*it^^ unconvinced—and, worse...
...the OTmbina^on ««ems fc*Ced ^:i^Mll^§HH[V' juncture in explaining why even married couples c«onot avail-tfii^lMMiPH^V ental...
...Why is the scientific advice the Vatican is receiving of a higher level than the theological and pastoral advice...
...Let us hazard a speculation: the Vatican's various litmus tests of doctrinal regularity are isolating it from much of the best theological thinking and soundest pastoral judgment in the church...
...niiiiiifli 111 ni if Tliii Iiiujiiijii '^IWH|B puzzling and obscure/ "FWsonaliM*'ptomes iirtil nil 1 '""ftimi^^GW...
...are not meant to halt the effort of reflection but rather to give it a renewed impulse in unre-nounceable fidelity to the teachings of the church.'' There may not be complete agreement among Catholics on the concrete meaning of that final phrase, but our view is that fidelity demands not only honest criticism of where and how this document has drawn lines but a willingness to submit a better way for mapping some of the most fateful journeys humanity has ever undertaken...
...The "Instruction" certainly qualifies on the count of ftMiMiK tlMrill in old joke that sometimes takes the form of an exchange: **Wfll yv» ay s&toMliag Catholic...
...We raise these questions out of disappointment with the "Instruction," but not, we hope, out of quarrelsomeness...
...And admit it, in an age of qualifications, the defiantly ne^tiv^'clttblrterofme document probably accounted for some of the notice it received...
...Secular thinkers in disagreement with the Vatican statement have their work cut out for them...
...None «f that would have mattered if the media <fidfnotse6fe—«mJ share—lbec«lltttfefs apprehension that our scientific and techaoiogical po\^en hive slipped from soda...
...What exactly was the consultation process which shaped the statement...
...Many people, Catholic and non-Catholic, have been dismayed by recent Vatican actions, and that experience inevitably plays a part in the perception of a document like this one...
...The distLnctibdsMHra?TCi tween different procedures, although sometimes indicated obliquely, are refined...
...So do Catholics:' 'The precise indications which are offered in the present Instruction...
...neo- stholatdc (Emmework...
...several of the leading Americans in this area were not consulted, nor do they know of colleagues who were...
...Which raises another question...
...In mil rrnrr, thr ^*ifiitin dUiimom: IpyUiiil stereotypically "Catholic"—a lorigStt of "no's.*' WeU^thtrt^s^iiiite'ttyTjb, and in regard to a numberof ftJems me "Instruction" surveyed, ^^)^|inSljeteo soon...
...And even if, Bprotestation that it does not mean to rule Hons on the grounds that they are "artifi-K be relying on a questionable notion of fa barrier against the Faustian drive of y, then it is doing no more than much of Hnove merit...
...Particularly in d)eU.S.,ifeedeaie«n>-ing spectacle of the Baby M trial has awakened d» public to what ttwrre new concept in childbearing can do to fundamental hi"Tifni rrlaTjfmirhitn ~*^lte^»ttfiid > teaching moment—when a firm, persuasive, understanding w<tof <Mi1i|d'ai WWp-tive audience...
...The views of a dozen bishops' conferences were said to have been solicited—which ones, and how much of their pastoral judgment is reflected in the product...
...Htisfied with the Vatican "Instruction" Bon to develop an alternative...
...Many of the Vatican's specific con-its defense of embryonic human life Bnd destruction, are sound...
...control and are bolting toward self-destruction...
...Archbishop Alberto Bovone, secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, says that sixty-two moralists and theologians participated in this work...
...The Vatican's general concern for defending humanity against the "excesses" of humanity's own Ired...
...Which raises a question...
...Years of researching and drafting are said to have gone into the document—yet behind closed doors and without discussion by the "People of God...
...Ad hoc Hlf the undeniable desire for children of Rtile couples seems to justify their resort ft or artificial insemination, why should Hpf a single man or woman be of any less HPS weH as civilization) means drawing HPes means saying "no" to some people's KKK "no" means having reasons which, if not HP§Iycompelling to those being somehow denied their miTat least can convince a majority capable of identifying with the losers' plight and willing to follow the same principle even if "the shoe were on the other foot...
...Has the current stance of the Vatican led it to miss the opportunity of an exceptional, perhaps irrecoverable, teaching moment...
Vol. 114 • March 1987 • No. 6
