Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Papal Wisdom, Pius XI Casti Conubii
Part 3a, Modern Societies Attacks on the Blessings of Children in the Married State
The first target of those who oppose marriage is that of marriage's primary aim, that of bringing up children in the world and society. As a matter of fact, everything hinges around what the primary aim of marriage is. In today's society, even amongst many who claim a "christian background" marriage is primarily because of love, and a secondary purpose is that of raising children. Yet if raising children intereferes with that love, why shouldn't they be able to do whatever they want to ensure children aren't born? Yet if one looks at marriage as the opportunity to raise a family, they will find someone they love, so they can best raise that family. This is an all too important distinction that many fail to recognize today, and it is at the heart of the marriage crisis we see in Western Civilization.
If the purpose of sex is for children, then one cannot use sex for a contradictory purpose. There are certain instances where both spouses consent that they regulate the conjugal act, but this allows itself within natures framework, not disrespecting that which nature has given. Given that these are permissions, not mandatory issues, it follows that this is not to be the norm. It is a grave injustice to use it contrary to that nature. Just like when Judas, who was trusted by Christ, betrayed him, a very horrid act was committed, using their friendship for evil purposes, whereas nowadays, sex is used primarily to satiate one's lust, not for the upbringing of children.
There are those who feel we are "legislating their bedrooms or private lives" by stating that life must be treated sacred. Yet if life begins at conception, we are protecting that which is a human life, which cannot defend itself. Would one say that we are "legislating in areas we don't belong" when a child is removed from the home, where the father is pointing a gun to that child's head? We would be righteously angry, and demand that child's removal. Yet that child, being created in the image of God, before he's born(though still human) somehow he doesn't have these rights. As Pius XI points out in the next paragraph, no act, no matter how noble it appears to be, can truly be noble if it seeks to destroy an innocent.
The issue over abortion will never be settled as long as people reject abortion, but have no problem with contraception. For both acts violate nature's purpose and frustrate the marriage act, and the purpose of marriage itself.
This is something I hope reaches my friends who say that while they support the Catholic position, we cannot "impose our views on anyone." The simple fact is we impose our views on everyone. I impose my views on my friend's son when I hold the door open for a lady, hoping he will learn proper respect. When we teach "we impose our views on others." Those who take this cop-out in reality, are plain and simple, moral cowards. Everything we do in life in some way or another imposes ones views on others.
In our next installment we shall focus on the attacks on conjugal faith, another veyr important problem we must deal with if we are to articulate a strong Christian worldview in the sphere of marriage.
Part 3a, Modern Societies Attacks on the Blessings of Children in the Married State
And now, Venerable Brethren, we shall explain in detail the evils opposed to each of the benefits of matrimony. First consideration is due to the offspring, which many have the boldness to call the disagreeable burden of matrimony and which they say is to be carefully avoided by married people not through virtuous continence (which Christian law permits in matrimony when both parties consent) but by frustrating the marriage act. Some justify* this criminal abuse on the ground that they are weary of children and wish to gratify their desires without their consequent burden. Others say that they cannot on the one hand remain continent nor on the other can they have children because of the difficulties whether on the part of the mother or on the part of family circumstances .
The first target of those who oppose marriage is that of marriage's primary aim, that of bringing up children in the world and society. As a matter of fact, everything hinges around what the primary aim of marriage is. In today's society, even amongst many who claim a "christian background" marriage is primarily because of love, and a secondary purpose is that of raising children. Yet if raising children intereferes with that love, why shouldn't they be able to do whatever they want to ensure children aren't born? Yet if one looks at marriage as the opportunity to raise a family, they will find someone they love, so they can best raise that family. This is an all too important distinction that many fail to recognize today, and it is at the heart of the marriage crisis we see in Western Civilization.
But no reason, however grave, may be put forward by which anything intrinsically against nature may become conformable to nature and morally good. Since, therefore, the conjugal act is destined primarily by nature for the begetting of children, those who in exercising it deliberately frustrate its natural power and purpose sin against nature and commit a deed which is shameful and intrinsically vicious.
If the purpose of sex is for children, then one cannot use sex for a contradictory purpose. There are certain instances where both spouses consent that they regulate the conjugal act, but this allows itself within natures framework, not disrespecting that which nature has given. Given that these are permissions, not mandatory issues, it follows that this is not to be the norm. It is a grave injustice to use it contrary to that nature. Just like when Judas, who was trusted by Christ, betrayed him, a very horrid act was committed, using their friendship for evil purposes, whereas nowadays, sex is used primarily to satiate one's lust, not for the upbringing of children.
But another very grave crime is to be noted, Venerable Brethren, which regards the taking of the life of the offspring hidden in the mother's womb. Some wish it to be allowed and left to the will of the father or the mother; others say it is unlawful unless there are weighty reasons which they call by the name of medical, social, or eugenic "indication." Because this matter falls under the penal laws of the state by which the destruction of the offspring begotten but unborn is forbidden, these people demand that the "indication," which in one form or another they defend, be recognized as such by the public law and in no way penalized. There are those, moreover, who ask that the public authorities provide aid for these death-dealing operations, a thing, which, sad to say, everyone knows is of very frequent occurrence in some places.
There are those who feel we are "legislating their bedrooms or private lives" by stating that life must be treated sacred. Yet if life begins at conception, we are protecting that which is a human life, which cannot defend itself. Would one say that we are "legislating in areas we don't belong" when a child is removed from the home, where the father is pointing a gun to that child's head? We would be righteously angry, and demand that child's removal. Yet that child, being created in the image of God, before he's born(though still human) somehow he doesn't have these rights. As Pius XI points out in the next paragraph, no act, no matter how noble it appears to be, can truly be noble if it seeks to destroy an innocent.
The issue over abortion will never be settled as long as people reject abortion, but have no problem with contraception. For both acts violate nature's purpose and frustrate the marriage act, and the purpose of marriage itself.
Those who hold the reins of government should not forget that it is the duty of public authority by appropriate laws and sanctions to defend the lives of the innocent, and this all the more so since those whose lives are endangered and assailed cannot defend themselves. Among whom we must mention in the first place infants hidden in the mother's womb. And if the public magistrates not only do not defend them, but by their laws and ordinances betray them to death at the hands of doctors or of others, let them remember that God is the Judge and Avenger of innocent blood which cried from earth to Heaven
This is something I hope reaches my friends who say that while they support the Catholic position, we cannot "impose our views on anyone." The simple fact is we impose our views on everyone. I impose my views on my friend's son when I hold the door open for a lady, hoping he will learn proper respect. When we teach "we impose our views on others." Those who take this cop-out in reality, are plain and simple, moral cowards. Everything we do in life in some way or another imposes ones views on others.
In our next installment we shall focus on the attacks on conjugal faith, another veyr important problem we must deal with if we are to articulate a strong Christian worldview in the sphere of marriage.
