Deconstruction of Perversion a
report by Mary M. Dillon 23 Dec. 02
Married
Catholics contracept and / or dissent from Church teaching about marriage and
family
As
the truth of sinful sexual and criminal behavior of priests unfolds, much
discussion has focused on issues of priestly celibacy, the scandal of the
laity, and errors in Church Leadership.
However,
recently, I came across an article entitled "The Deconstruction of
Perversion" (Family Policy Vol.12,No.5, Sept.-Oct,1999), which traces the
"historical roots" of the "sexual disconnect" which
we are experiencing today.
The
author states that when the "procreative and the pleasure principles of
sex were severed by widespread contraception, ...taboos lost their
purpose" (p.22). Even Freud, "father of sexual revolution" is
cited in the article as recognizing the fundamental importance of this
connection. The author points to the degradation of American Society and the
advance of sexual perversions and says we will make no authentic and lasting
progress in solving these problems without "an understanding of both the
role of contraception in the advance of sexual perversions and the
importance...of the vital connection between sexuality and
procreation"(p.23).
The
1968 encyclical, Humanae Vitae, which maintained the constant teaching of the
church regarding the inherent connection between unitive and procreative meaning of the
marriage act, was criticized by both clergy and laity, and has been largely
ignored. And while Pope John Paul II has spoken frequently on the church's
teaching about contraception and the use of Natural Family Planning as the key
to responsible
parenthood,
statistics cite anywhere between 85-90% of married Catholics practicing
contraception and / or dissenting from Church teaching about marriage and
family.
From
the Family Policy article cited above , it could be argued that such contraceptive
behavior, in the general Catholic population ,as well as society at large, sets the stage for
sexual perversion, including homosexual behavior, and pedophilia, to present
itself. It also could be argued that an inadequate understanding of these
factors may have contributed to some of the errors and ineffective
decision-making on the part of Church Leaders.
And while there is no diminishing of the sinful and criminal behavior on the part of these priests, it appears that an examination of conscience would be in order for the Catholic laity and others who think that Church teaching on marriage and family, specifically its prohibition of artificial contraception is outdated, optional, or plays no "PROTECTIVE ROLE" in society.
The Church, in pronouncing its constant teaching on marriage and family has been a lone voice, and has been harshly criticized by an anti-catholic media. On the other hand, the media, a strong supporter of contraception, wasted no time in condemning the Church for its pedophile priests, while it remains in the dark regarding homosexual behavior and other negative consequences of widespread contraception.
As
soul searching for the reasons of the sexual scandal within the Church
continues, a thorough examination of conscience regarding our assent to Church
teaching on contraception and marriage and family may be a good place to begin
to find answers as well as solutions for the future!
Sincerely,
Date: Tue Jan 28 12:22:39 2003
Subject: your
article
Mary M,
Great article! It should be
mandatory reading for priests and laity alike. The recent scandal is
nothing more than a manifestation of the harvest of the seeds sewn over the
last thirty to forty years of ignoring and/or dissenting from the Church's
teaching on the sanctity of marriage, artificial contraception, abortion and
other issues of faith and morals. When is the last time our parish
priests used the pulpit to repeat and promote the true teachings of the Church
on artificial contraception, abortion and other issues of faith and morals?
Have members of the laity spoken out in support of the Church's teaching on
these issues when the Church's position was attacked by fellow Catholics, the
media or others? How can members of the laity who ignore and/or dissent
from Church teachings on issues of faith and morals be so surprised or
disappointed that their priests have broken their vows? Rather than
satisfying their uninformed or poorly-formed consciences and subscribing to
their individual "cafeteria plans", Catholics need to come back to
the true teachings of the Church on issues of faith and morals. You
are so right -- an examination of conscience is in order for all. Keep up
the good work!
Mike