Correspondence
CORRESPONDENCE men who do not really accept the doc- hedonism. Pope Paul VI recognized this. Sensus inf...
...recounts his story in...
...This has Brooklyn youngsters found salvation and We urgently need your help...
...foreign, $44...
...appealing...
...Kevin McMahon's politics of the most momentous Sexuality: Theological Voices...
...Who has been lionized by the $15.95 many regard as a primary contraceptive secular media since 1968, the magisteriAt bookstores or call 1-800-937-5557 rather than a remedy for contraceptive fail- um or dissenting theologians...
...Then we have the blind leading the blind...
...Behind each of played more awareness of the tentative- and that such separation is a good...
...It,rs3cry.pf the use of contraception: each can live his/ U wants to talk only in terms of peoher own life and only meet in bed when ple's perceptions...
...teaching is incorrect...
...Masters Degree regardless of the circumstances...
...not apply...
...foreign, $77...
...Osborne consistently launches Above all else, the third-millennium can use Balaam's ass to get his message theologically competent challenges both Christian will return to the gospels again across, he may also use a woman gyneto these presuppositions and to the con- and again, seeking to establish in his or her cologist who has taught natural family clusions to which they lead...
...Cartography is a purely em- um then...
...Send they are branded as "anti-Humanae love, and a sense of family on a kibbutz resume and references to: vitae," which is very misleading and in Israel ["From Bed-Sty to Israel," July Search Committee St...
...But, since the teaching is true, Bishop Untener draws an analogy in my experience many Catholics do ac- the bishop needs to remember Saint (which he admits is not perfect) with cept them...
...CORRESPONDENCE men who do not really accept the doc- hedonism...
...Among the others killed in those four (CRIS), to begin July 1994...
...The same cannot remarriage, and even believe that abor- 44691...
...the variations of the rhythm method) while can devise when pleasure or even mutu- Illustrations: Cover, Emil Antonucci...
...Thus the crisis of credibility...
...It is these works, for all of their impressive ness of his own sets of presuppositions...
...It toy gun, and others who merely happened independent-school experience, commu- is much easier to say what it is not (not a to be in the wrong place at the wrong monication skills, management ability...
...To the Editors: Bishop Kenneth Untener's to it...
...initiated a crisis of credibility among the by Bishop Untener...
...If we were to ask whether Untener accyclical has led to the mutual exploitation cepts HV, we would have to say that he of men and women...
...Christifideles laici, which, despite its work: "When everything else fails, read Vatican documents operate with a dif- flaws, will itself contribute positively to the directions...
...I would we be surprised if confusion prevails...
...Yearly subscriptions, But if we are to continue with the bish- drawing for Bishop Untener would be the U.S., $39...
...Salary commensurate they raise questions about this one point, age American blacks finding friendship, with qualifications...
...intercourse ad lib for men appears to them many early developments that are not The theme that Osborne does empha- to be worse than taking candy from a found in the Scriptures in a way that is size, however, the full discipleship of all baby...
...Women, on the other hand, are to accessible to modern scholarship...
...In the eyes of many people the Human Life International...
...When heartwarming story about a group of teenin Music or equivalent experience preferred...
...year rate: U.S...
...WH of grace gives us the strength to dominate This means how people have reacted to is our passions...
...Israeli soldiers and undercover agents in To question the former is not to affirm the occupied territories in the first four r i the latter, nor is it to make one auto- months of this year [The Washington "I WAS SICK AND YOU I matically a proponent of hedonism, con- Report on Middle East Affairs, July/Ausumerism, or materialism...
...dollars by science can only fill in certain details (like doors to about everything the imagination International Money Order or by check on a U.S...
...Canada, $71...
...and ing concerning marriage and the family...
...To the Editors: Bishop Untener is right faithful, which has further damaged the He is probably correct in saying that when he says that Humanae vitae has not credibility of church authority in many the majority of Catholics do not accept been accepted by the majority of U.S...
...Whose poCROSSROAD ure...
...That is progress, ment have denied that chance forever to 633-2252, Ext...
...I Bishop Untener points out, correctly, that article ["Humanae vitae: What Has It should think he would be more con- few lay people have read it...
...J er dimension...
...760 three erything," its true and essential function as they inadvertently walked into the path times...
...I predict that my grad- can be sexually available whenever the in the position of defending its own au- uate students will love this book, being man feels a need...
...al comfort is the goal...
...Failure to follow the en- it...
...to imply, that is the opinion of most cerely accept the teachings of the enchurchmen, their public defense of the en- cyclical and do not consider themselves Remember Athanasius...
...If equal space and time are not afforded riage, family life, and human sexuality, Readers can read, and authors can write, to assenters in answering objections, should then of what use are they to their flock...
...REV...
...feminist values...
...These letters take up diocesan newspapers, should we be sur- If there is confusion in their minds about the call and speak for themselves...
...Serials Data program No.: ISSN 0010-3330...
...for other pope as guardian and spokesman of the devastating...
...P.O...
...the discussion is conducted, especially in defended or presented as intellectually The writer is executive director of light of the above letters...
...part of our traditional ecclesiology, and bled teen-agers from 5,000 miles away needs to be understood properly and taken may now find a chance for a better life...
...The Christians within the church, is equally of take all sorts of health risks so that they CDF acknowledges that it is often placed great significance...
...U assumes, agreeing with dissenters, that the arguments of the "majority report" are valid, that anyone who agrees with HV is dishonest or lacking intelligence, and is & HOPES probably a sycophant...
...thority, but that this is done not for au- awed by its scholarship and empowered If this appears to be a condemnation of thority's sake but for the sake of the by its vision...
...It gives the be told to perhaps millions of Americans Damien of Molokai I impression that any Catholic who dis- in theaters and through articles like Ms...
...Sensus inf idelium...
...720 six times...
...p. 5, leaving the terrain intact...
...I would Second-class postage paid at New York, N.Y...
...The bish- nial of the magisterium...
...But if God gospel...
...For him the whole issue is reduced to church au- "A fascinating read from one of thority...
...of feminist theology CORRESPONDENCE Blind shepherds to date) -Libraryjournal (Continued from page 2) Gaithersburg, Md...
...Director, Mater Dei, E. for it has not been part of our standard lex- youngsters who lived on their own 405 Sinto, Spokane, WA 99202...
...Paul VI said it all when he publicly defend Humanae vitae, whether vive...
...cyclical's antibirth-control doctrine con- primitive and outdated...
...other areas...
...COMMONWEAL, 15 dissent-like a bridge built with no pro- year-old Abed Abdullah Mohammed Dutch St., NYC 10038...
...suggest that a better analogy than map at additional offices...
...John Kippley's ground Cardinal Suenens has Sex and the Marriage Covenant...
...HANNA KLAUS, M.D...
...Thorough understanding of liturgy necessary...
...agrees with any church teaching is anti- McCarthy's...
...subsequent experience with the land and that Pope Paul, his predecessors, and his The good bishop needs to raise his the application of progressive scientific successors are wrong...
...COMFORTED ME...
...U cannot understand how our "best and brightest and holi- by Leon-Joseph Cardinal Suenens est" can believe that HV is true...
...It's a one-of-a-kind look years...
...now, but in the light of our eternal des- To the Editors: The editors asked Bishop SHE tiny...
...Box 4231 1 magisterium...
...Single Copy, $2...
...that is, it must always de- jority of Catholics believe in divorce and Microfilm, 300 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106 and on Microfiche from Bell & Howell, Wooster, Ohio pend upon experience...
...honest discussion...
...I note that it is treated briefly But Israeli soldiers and their governDESIRE PRIESTHOOD...
...Yes, he was 1994 Position Opening some provision for this in the past, we masked and writing political graffiti...
...Proposing to place limits on ance of the Holy Spirit are reflected in by Osborne...
...This is a serious problem...
...The rising divorce rate agrees with the people who do not accept attests to the isolation that accompanies it...
...Priesthood seriously...
...Council for Religion in Independent Schools family planning today...
...But if old Faris Mohammed Kuri, who was shot it is presented as "all or nothing on ev- in the chest while holding his father's hand RATES: 800 a word, one time...
...Rather than Done to Us...
...God's moral truth as it pertains to mar- is no need for me to respond point by point...
...There are many ture of the church...
...They Chicago seeks full-time Director of have difficulty, however, with the ab- East Hampton, N.Y...
...gust 1993...
...Boyle, and May's Catholic Sexual Ethics...
...John Paul II's liberating in- have failed miserably in disseminating dition, and authority...
...Copyright ©1993 Commonweal Foundation...
...Now, the bishops are the moral ae vitae and I called for more open and preparation courses, from the pulpit, or in guides and spiritual leaders of a diocese...
...Polls indicate that today a ma- 1, 1924, to current issues available through University pirical science...
...possible to see the human person in full rain...
...ern Europe (including the bishops) went Periodical Literature, Catholic Periodical Index, Index of American Periodical Verse, Book Review The bishop's analogy is clever but does Protestant...
...He admits most have schedules overlap...
...Since, as he goes on error...
...Barnabas Parish gives the false impression that Catholics 16], I also read the names and manner of 10134 South Longwood Drive are divided into two positions: artificial death of thirty-three Palestinian children Chicago, IL 60643 birth control is never permitted, or arti- under sixteen who were shot to death by ficial birth control is always permitted...
...We example, the stories of twenty-monthneed strong magisterial leadership...
...Has he read John Noonan's Con- at the drama, conflict, and traception...
...JOHN CATOIR Ford, Grisez, Boyle, Finnis, and May's The "What is truly amazing is the Teaching of HV.• A Defense...
...sitions have been taught in seminaries, The nonacceptance of Humanae vitae marriage preparation courses, most moral 28: 10 September 1993 Commonweal theology texts, public presentations at we place our trust in the wisdom and The author replies: Catholic colleges and universities...
...THE CHRISTOPHERS The analogy preferred by U has anoth- Dept...
...Janet Smith's Humanae Vitae: A Generation Later...
...Many bishops and priests sin- GERALD A. BUCKLEY, O.P...
...1 (800) in the new Catechism...
...But the sensus fi- thinking to the faith level which he was methods demonstrate, the primitive maps delium is a tricky thing...
...what about the sensus fideli- Digest and Book Review Index...
...Vatican II's most influential Where has U been all these twenty-five leaders...
...solute prohibition of artificial contra- To the Editors: By strange coincidence, on Organ, keyboard, vocal and cho- ception as always intrinsically evil, the same day I read Abigail McCarthy's ral skills required...
...the teachings of the encyclical (although Catholics...
...Subsequent experience and to offspring from sexuality, you open the foreign subscriptions must be paid in U.S...
...I wish that personal and social life the very meaning planning for the past twenty years and he had done so in a manner that explored of gospel discipleship...
...way, transparent to the laity, publicly stick and a challenge to Christian families...
...All Canadian and magisterium...
...The issue is not as simple as these letteaching church has committed a teacher's cardinal sin: it has become more concerned about itself than about truth...
...vision for expansion or contraction...
...p. 6, Paul Valerry, p. 10, Bishop Untener's concern is primari- difficult for married couples today, what Engelman, Rothco...
...O The writer is executive director of the Natural Family Planning Center of _`Perhaps the best book_ Washington, D.C...
...Outside marriage, contraception has ument they have never read...
...Only if and when who, as a consecrated religious, underthese stances more sympathetically, that he or she reflects Jesus, at whatever level stands the Christian meaning of human in either the church or in society-at-large, sexuality...
...So One of this century's most U presumes that HV is not a matter of moral truth, but merely a matter of loyalty to an outstanding Catholic leaders institution, a whimsical act of voluntarism on the part of recent popes...
...Doubtless it is very Baloo, Rothco...
...The terrain (reality) has not changed, but maps change, reflecting greater knowledge, cumulative experiMEMORIES ence, insights, precisions...
...Once you separate openness parts of the world, $44 per year...
...Special twoop's analogy, the terrain here is clearly and tail wagging the dog...
...Requires the- Finally, I can see from this and other months were stone throwers, a mentally ological education, commitment to moral correspondence that there is a great mis- retarded twelve-year-old playing with a and religious education for grades K-12, understanding on the sensus fidelium...
...monthly in advance for more is seriously damaged even by legitimate of Israelis in "hot pursuit," and of fifteenthan three times...
...I been very detrimental to the teaching au- themselves, thanks to caring Israelis, will Community of thority of church leadership...
...NOW IN PAPERBACK will he or she truly live the gospel...
...Without vulnerability, never read HV although it is only eighteen Et.IZABFTI I A. OIIN5ON spouses' paths diverge increasingly, and pages long, written twenty-five years ago...
...But it does exist, and is Thanks to one group of Israelis, trouWashington, DC 20016...
...Without faith it is not were wrong in symbolizing the basic ter- union with the popes as teachers...
...Music/ Liturgy...
...p. 19, Parolini, Rothco...
...committed to a vision of Christianity too often there is no reason to stay mar- How can people react responsibly to a docpervasively and profoundly marked by ried...
...The entire episcopate was primitive maps of North America...
...The world today desperately needs his implication is that the encyclical's polls indicate that most people live by the their witness...
...For a truly Catholic can he claim there is no depth of consistent reasoning here...
...ly with the "lack of integrity"-or let us with the pace of modern life, the econo- p. 24, Punch, Rothco...
...When in strange territory 12 East 48th Street, New York, NY 10017 Commonweal 10 September 1993: 29 ters would seem to make it, namely, that of our standard practice for many, many you are either "pro-Humanae vitae" or generations...
...Classified payable with order...
...At one time in history there were invited us to see our life not only here and directly or by "a conspiracy of silence," more Arians than orthodox Catholics...
...He compares bishops and priests who Otherwise the church could scarcely sur- perspective...
...Benefits...
...Choice cies, and, too often, to abortion, which contrary...
...He attributes this to the sen- Athanasius...
...They are supposed to have more I wrote on the perceived effects of Humaninaries, adult education and marriage experience...
...As sus fidelium, which, apparently, implies Arian, yet the Trinity was proclaimed...
...be said about the church's constant teach- tion is not sinful in many cases...
...If so, how covered...
...Has he read Casti con- view of the Catholic church in nubii, Familiaris consortio, Humana relationship with other Christian persona, John Paul II's Love and Respon- churches there is no more sibility, Acting Person, Original Unity of authentic or interesting account than that given by the Man and Woman, BlessedAre the Pure of Belgian Cardinal...
...bank...
...Bishop Untener's position, it is...
...It applies only in ordained to teach...
...Under 55...
...Continued on page 28) to stubborn, unreasonable defenders of the What about the sensus fidelium then...
...Surely we canstitutes a "lack of integrity" that has not be included in the dilemma described Bethesda, Md...
...To the of feminist theological discourse...
...America Heart...
...It is key, I believe, to the fu"anti-Humanae vitae...
...call it what it is: hypocrisy-of the church- my, consumerism, and the enticements of 2: 10 September 1993 Commonweal official positions, past and present, are anticipated the way that the Vatican would is rooted in the false premise that sex and based more on preserving power than on respond to his arguments, and that dis- procreation are intrinsically separable, promoting discipleship...
...Since there appear to be We are less fortunate that very few Albuquerque, NM 87196 I many Catholics who question some church Americans will learn the stories of the L J teaching, one might wrongly conclude Palestinian youngsters killed between that the magisterium can be cavalierly January 1 and May 17 of this year-for CLASSIFIED dismissed...
...That does not mean waiting for pie Kenneth Untener to comment on the "pasin the sky but rather realizing that the life toral consequences" of Humanae vitae...
...accurately mapped out, as it were, by the The contraceptive mentality has proved Surcharge for air mail delivery to Europe, North Africa, Central or South America, $35 per year...
...not good, because humans are contingent scholarship, lurks an impassioned evan- Osborne might also have conceded beings, and our happiness greatly depends gelical reformer who insists on dragging more the merits of documents such as on knowing how we were designed to his Catholicism along with him...
...Commonweal led to an epidemic of sexually transmit- U maintains that dissenters have been ''The finest survey yet written in the area ted diseases, to single-parent pregnan- treated badly by the magisterium...
...The same thing happens when people We are fortunate that the cameras were A Catholic Community Serving are simply categorized as "pro-magis- rolling and that the story of how these people living with AIDS ' terium" or "anti-magisterium...
...thoughtful and reflective people who af- BISHOP KENNETH UNTENER DIRECTOR OF firm what the encyclical affirmed about MUSIC/LTTUROY the nature and dignity of marital love, Israel's other face Established 2200 family parish in and about the need for sacrifice...
...It Abed Diab, shot at a distance of six feet should be noted that, had there not been by Israeli undercover agents...
...trine of Humanae vitae but, in a cynical Humanae vitae is a beautiful document Oakland, Calif...
...The Sacred Congre- sight, that life lived within the world can the teachings of Paul VI and John Paul II, gation for the Doctrine of the Faith holds be a primary locus of Christian disciple- quite possibly from an unconscious male that the intentions of Jesus and the guid- ship, is a point given insufficient attention chauvinism...
...primitive maps over the accurate modern During the Reformation most of North- Commonweal is indexed in Reader's Guide to ones...
...U uses cartography as his preferred analogy to explain American Catholics' rejection of HV...
...He is correct in silence the bishop describes, which indeed op pussyfoots around the question by seeking ways of communicating truth results in a crisis of credibility, we churchsuch statements as "...[W]hether you think compatible with contemporary receptiv- men should, with enthusiasm, encourage that Humanae vitae is correct or incor- ity, but why must these ways inevitably the faithful to study it and rise to its chalrect in its position on birth control...," but bow to modernist error simply because lenge...
...is EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR sought for The would not be allowed to promote natural that a crime that warrants instant death...
...Canada, $41...
...There prised if the people do not understand it...
...knowledge of the mapmaker and tour If HV is not taught in the schools, sem- guide...
...Lawler, event in Catholic Church History...
...letter and resume by October 1, 1993 to: CRIS Search Committee, PO Box 40613, than what it is...
...JOSEPH D. POLICANO 30: 10 September 1993 Commonweal...
...Send poll, not a head count, not a majority vote) ment...
...and the discussion will continue...
...ferent set of presuppositions concerning the shaping of the church in the twenty- The tragedy is that bishops and priests the relationship between Scripture, tra- first century...
...June 16] is an interesting cerned with the churchmen's internal de- falling into the cynical word service or example of modem casuistry...
...icon, nor has attentiveness to it been part doorstep...
...If so, how can he claim there has 395pp., 28 photos, $19.95 pbk been no real development in our understanding of the terrain/reality of the Catholic At bookstores, or send $19.95 (shipping is free) to: sexual ethic...
...Microfilm from Vol...
...simply offer some observations about how Obviously U does not think HV can be MATTHEW HABIGER, O.S.B...
Vol. 120 • September 1993 • No. 15
