WASHINGTON — The Vatican today issued a strongly worded critique of a sexual ethics text written by Mercy Sister Margaret Farley, a retired Yale Divinity professor.
The five-page notification from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) regarding Just Love: A Framework for Christian Social Ethics, published in 2006, determined that the book departed from key principles of Catholic sexual ethics and thus “cannot be used as a valid expression of Catholic teaching, either in counseling and formation, or in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue.”
On March 16, Pope Benedict XVI approved the notification and ordered its publication.
Released June 4, the official statement noted that a series of letters to Sister Margaret, facilitated by the previous and present leaders of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, did not resolve the CDF’s efforts to stem the potential confusion generated by the author’s treatment of masturbation, same-sex relationships and divorce and remarriage.
The notification stated: “Sister Farley either ignores the constant teaching of the magisterium or, where it is occasionally mentioned, treats it as one opinion among others.”
It also stated that the author “manifests a defective understanding of the objective nature of the natural moral law, choosing instead to argue on the basis of conclusions selected from certain philosophical currents or from her own understanding of ‘contemporary experience.’ This approach is not consistent with authentic Catholic theology.”
In the wake of the Vatican’s doctrinal assessment of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s notification will likely stir further debate about whether members of the Sisters of Mercy and other congregations of women religious should obey the teaching authority of the Pope and the bishops (as many solemnly vow to do) or embark on an autonomous path.
‘Misunderstood’
The notification was signed by Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the CDF. The Vatican also released today a statement by the cardinal, dated March 30.
“Among the many errors and ambiguities of this book are its positions on masturbation, homosexual acts, homosexual unions, the indissolubility of marriage and the problem of divorce and remarriage,” read Cardinal Levada’s statement.
The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas were prepared for the release of the CDF notification. The order’s website provided a number of statements responding to today’s news and included expressions of support for Sister Margaret by Yale colleagues and Catholic theologians.
The author is the past president of the Catholic Theological Society of America.
In her statement posted on the Sisters of Mercy website, Sister Margaret said she “did not dispute the judgment that some of the positions contained within it are not in accord with current official Catholic teaching. In the end, I can only clarify that the book was not intended to be an expression of current official Catholic teaching, nor was it aimed specifically against this teaching. It is of a different genre altogether."
“[T]his book offers contemporary interpretations of traditional meanings for the human body, gender and sexuality. It aims to take account of both traditional and present-day scientific, philosophical, theological and biblical resources,” read her statement.
“Although my responses to some particular sexual ethical questions do depart from some traditional Christian responses, I have tried to show that they nonetheless reflect a deep coherence with the central aims and insights of these theological and moral traditions.”
In her statement, Sister Margaret expressed respect for the Vatican congregation, but suggested that it had misinterpreted the intent of her work.
The CDF, for its part, provided a wealth of hard evidence — specific examples culled from the book, accompanied by page citations — to bolster its critique of the author’s departure from received teaching on sexual ethics.
The notification quoted the author’s suggestion that masturbation “usually does not raise any moral questions at all. … It is surely the case that many women … have found great good in self-pleasuring — perhaps especially in the discovery of their own possibilities for pleasure — something many had not experienced or even known about in their ordinary sexual relations with husbands or lovers. In this way, it could be said that masturbation actually serves relationships rather than hindering them.
“My final observation is, then, that the norms of justice as I have presented them would seem to apply to the choice of sexual self-pleasuring only insofar as this activity may help or harm, only insofar as it supports or limits, well-being and liberty of spirit. This remains largely an empirical question, not a moral one” (p. 236).”
The author’s position, the CDF concluded, “does not conform to Catholic teaching."
“Both the magisterium of the Church, in the course of a constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action. The deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose,” read the Vatican notification.
‘Hatred of Gays’
The CDF also challenged Sister Margaret’s treatment of homosexual acts and same-sex unions.
In Just Love, Sister Margaret stated, “My own view … is that same-sex relationships and activities can be justified according to the same sexual ethic as heterosexual relationships and activities. Therefore, same-sex oriented persons as well as their activities can and should be respected whether or not they have a choice to be otherwise” (p. 295).
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith critique noted that Church teaching does distinguish between homosexual “tendencies and homosexual acts” and calls on the faithful to show “respect, compassion and sensitivity” to persons with same-sex attraction.
But the CDF reminded the faithful that “tradition has always declared that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered. They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.”
Further, Just Love stated that same-sex “marriage” and civil unions “can also be important in transforming the hatred, rejection and stigmatization of gays and lesbians that is still being reinforced by teachings of ‘unnatural’ sex, disordered desire, and dangerous love.”
But that stance, noted the CDF, offers a sharply contrasting vision of human sexuality from the continuity of Catholic teaching, which states that “respect for homosexual persons cannot lead in any way to approval of homosexual behavior or to legal recognition of homosexual unions.”
The Vatican document also cited the book’s problematic statements on divorce and remarriage. Just Love summarized the author’s “own view” that divorce “need not include a prohibition of remarriage — any more than the ongoing union between spouses after one of them has died prohibits a second marriage on the part of the one who still lives” (p. 310).
Sister Patricia “Pat” McDermott, the current president of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, issued her own statement marking the CDF notification. She expressed “profound regret” that the document had been released, but made no attempt to explain her role in the two years of discussions between Sister Margaret and the Vatican, nor did she directly engage the concerns outlined in the CDF document.
“Sister Margaret has given witness to the highest quality of academic work and compassionate presence. She assiduously attempts to present the Catholic tradition as formative of her own rich experience while recognizing the ecumenical audience she often engages. While being faithful to her own faith tradition and commitments, her sensitivity to the varied circumstances, realities and needs of her students is the context she consistently honors,” read the statement.
The strongly supportive response noted that for “more than 50 years Margaret has given her life in exceptional scholarship and remarkable pastoral service to those who are most in need.”
The Vatican and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have issued statements about a number of Catholic theologians. Last year, the USCCB's Committee on Doctrine released a statement criticizing a book written by Fordham University theologian Sister Elizabeth Johnson, expressing concern that her theology textbook was used in many undergraduate classes and could sow confusion about the faith.
Continuum is the publisher of Just Love, and Kara Zavada, the head of U.S. academic marketing for the publishing house’s works of theology, confirmed that it had “been used in college courses,” but could not provide sales numbers.
Meanwhile, the breaking news story has already fueled a new round of headlines. In a contentious election year, the Vatican’s censure of Catholic theologians is grist for partisan forces eager to frame such disputes for their own purposes.
Joan Frawley Desmond is the Register’s senior editor.
The Catechism Teaches …
Masturbation — “By masturbation is to be understood the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure. ‘Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of a constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action. The deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose.’ For here sexual pleasure is sought outside of ‘the sexual relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love is achieved’” (2352).
Homosexuality — “Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that ‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.’ They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved” (2357).
Divorce — “Divorce is a grave offense against the natural law. It claims to break the contract, to which the spouses freely consented, to live with each other till death. Divorce does injury to the covenant of salvation, of which sacramental marriage is the sign. Contracting a new union, even if it is recognized by civil law, adds to the gravity of the rupture: the remarried spouse is then in a situation of public and permanent adultery:
If a husband, separated from his wife, approaches another woman, he is an adulterer because he makes that woman commit adultery, and the woman who lives with him is an adulteress, because she has drawn another's husband to herself” (2384).
“Divorce is immoral also because it introduces disorder into the family and into society. This disorder brings grave harm to the deserted spouse, to children traumatized by the separation of their parents and often torn between them, and because of its contagious effect which makes it truly a plague on society.” (2385)
Formation of conscience — “Conscience must be informed and moral judgment enlightened. A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful. It formulates its judgments according to reason, in conformity with the true good willed by the wisdom of the Creator. The education of conscience is indispensable for human beings who are subjected to negative influences and tempted by sin to prefer their own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings” (1783).
“The education of the conscience is a lifelong task. From the earliest years, it awakens the child to the knowledge and practice of the interior law recognized by conscience. Prudent education teaches virtue; it prevents or cures fear, selfishness and pride, resentment arising from guilt, and feelings of complacency, born of human weakness and faults. The education of the conscience guarantees freedom and engenders peace of heart” (1784).
“In the formation of conscience the Word of God is the light for our path, we must assimilate it in faith and prayer and put it into practice. We must also examine our conscience before the Lord's Cross. We are assisted by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, aided by the witness or advice of others and guided by the authoritative teaching of the Church (1785).
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“The five-page notification from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) regarding Just Love: A Framework for Christian Social Ethics, published in 2006, determined that the book departed from key principles of Catholic sexual ethics…”
Published in 2006?!
And it took this long to get going on this? And the Princes of the Church wonder why the Church is in the state it is in. Oya vay!
Come, Holy Spirit,fill the hearts of the faithful!
My amazon review: If we want “contemporary interpretations” we can watch Oprah and read Time magazine. We hold nuns and ex-theologians to a higher standard, a standard which we has been ignored for the last 40 years to the detriment of the whole world. The thin veneer of pop psychology cannot hide the stink of the sexual revolution. Has the Theology of the Body been completely excised from the convents? Do nuns still live in convents? I expect that the lack of religious discipline and silence is the reason for the lack of thoughtful insight in this flashback to 1970’s sex education textbooks.
Wow, I haven’t heard a public peep from the Catholic church about masturbation in many decades—I mean since I was in high school in the sixties! I thought they had wisely reconsidered the tactic of focusing on that particular activity in light of The Pill, no-fault divorce laws, rising teen pregnancy rates, the legalization of abortion, and widespread flouting of Church law on attending Mass every Sunday and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly.
By all means CDF, criticize Sister Farley for not damning the masturbators and render yourself even more irrelevant to solving current social problems.
If Catholic Doctrine can not, or will not be followed, why hasn’t the
Vatican moved to disassociate itself from these Orders? If these “Learned”
individuals dislike their religion that much, why haven’t they left?
Well, here’s another fine example of the Big Bad Catholic Boy’s Club coming down hard on poor defenceless women again, eh? I don’t think so, but a lot of people will. I’m no theologian, and I tend to break things down in a way that makes it easier for dummies like me to understand. Should the Church bow to society’s whims? Nope. If the pope flip-flopped to please the world, I would venture to guess that he’d be punching his ticket straight to Hell. It’s easy for people to be as firm as cooked spaghetti if their version of the truth is watered down, but the pope knows that the truths handed down by the Church were first handed down to its leaders by God Himself. He knows, as should all Catholics, that moral teachings are more than opinions. The way I see it, the church is like a GPS, and its teachings are the maps that have been loaded into the unit. The maps are representations of the actual roads and highways. The GPS doesn’t invent maps, it follows them, and leads the driver to his or her ultimate destination, the same way the church gives us the directions to follow to get to heaven. Does the GPS get it wrong sometimes? Are there documented accounts of people getting in trouble or even killed after followed their GPS’ instructions? Sure. That’s why the Pope and the CDF issue stern warnings when some people, especially from within the Church, load maps into the GPS unit for roads that don’t exist. It’s like a recall for defective units. The pope’s job is to teach us the way to heaven. We only need to follow the directions if we don’t want to get lost.
Responding today to a book published in 2006 is meaningless and difficult to seriously accept as having much value. Can what the Vatican says be taken seriously at such a late date?
The point being made here seems not an issue about freedom of individual thinking so much as false representation. And this is what the 5 page notification is really about. A priest or nun, professes to be representing the Church and its teachings. Plainly when they write books or take public positions that “go off the reservation” those faithful who trust in their words need forwarning. Much like the FDA warns prescription users of side effects of the drugs they purchase. People who claim to be mature Christians have to be discerning about what they read and then profess if they wish to be faithful followers of Christ. To be forwarned is to be forarmed, especially in matters spiritual.
If one cares at all about Truth one recognizes the importance of the CDF
and adhering to its utterances. Simply put, Margaret Farley has attempted to change, on her own, centuries of Church teachings. We have been warned by the Church who has a responsibility to mitigate issues with people while claiming to be faithful have distorted its teachings publically. The wise faithful listen and follow its compassionate guidance.
aka Sister Margaret is an example of the many nuns, priests, and bishops who have poisoned the well of Catholic and western culture and moral teachings. They have been a major influence in the degeneration of our society. I hope and pray that the Vatican “cleans house” of all the Sister Margarets, the Fr Mike Pflegers, and the Bishop Blaire’s who have deceived the faithful over the past 50 years.
@ Camille, LOVE the allegory!! It is so perfect.
@ gene - perhaps the reason why it has taken 6 years is that there has been behind-the-scenes dialog between CDF and Sr Farley. I would think that instead of a public reprimand, maybe they tried a more charitable approach first. Sadly, it seems that she is unrepentant and perhaps confused herself. And 6 years or 60, if it is untrue and not in accord with church teaching 6 years ago, it will be today and it will be in 60 years. That is one of the oppositions biggest problems with the Church, She is unchanging….
Many nuns do not live in convents. I was shocked to find a large percentage of sisters that do not even wear any kind of identifying garb… Those congregations are kind of withering away, though. The congregations that are flourishing today- and there ARE some - generally live in a community and wear traditional clothing and have their beautiful crucifixes that they wear….. An outward sign to the world that they live for Christ, and it is a beautiful and joyful thing. I think that is why those communities flourish while others are withering away and fading - who wants to make such a great sacrifice for relativism, but for Christ? What would you not sacrifice for Him if He asked?
It is a sad affair that the Church is in the condition she is in in this country…... Many years of bad catechesis, wishy-washy theology, a pop culture of relativism, and ‘dumbing down’ of our Catholic faithful and society as a whole has led us here…. God can and will renew His Church and faithful. It may very well be the gardener pruning the branches to make a stronger and more beautiful tree, but I am Hopeful. We just need to pray without ceasing that wolves in sheep’s clothing like Sr Farley and other “catholic leaders” (Biden, Peolsi, etc.) will not have the power to lead anyone else astray, and that they may have a deep and profound conversion…......
cowalker, your response is incoherent. In your list of “in light of” most of them are either directly treated in the CDF’s notification or are obvious that the Church continues to teach on these. The Pill? See the recent flap over the HHS mandate. No-fault divorce laws? See the CDF notification. The notificationm points out that the sisters errors on masturbation are hardly the only thing she is dead wrong about. Are you suggesting that somehow if we can come up with other grave offenses against chastity that somehow Masturbation is not a grave offense?
the Magisterium of Nuns
Marybeth, my point is when the Vatican recognizes “error” they have a responsibility to the audience partaking of the book to openly correct errors in a TIMELY manner. Waiting 6 years to do so is inexcusable.
I cannot believe what’s happening. How am I suppose to teach my children the right way, when religious schools and churches like this are tearing down the very fundamentals I am asking my children to abide by. Don’t parents have a tough enough time in this day and age trying to keep their children on the right path? Who do you think they are going to believe now?
I thought the church was more up on things, but I guess I’m wrong all the way around. When was the last time you saw a list of movies that the church found unfit to view? It’s bad enough that the world is not following the laws of morality. If we don’t get morals back into this country, we’re doomed. When will the church step up? What are they afraid of?
The good Sister, in her response, shows a profound lack of understanding of the term “evangelization”. No doubt a largbe segment of society considers masturbation, the Pill, abortion, divorce and remarriage, and homosexual “marriage” to be perfectly acceptable. The Apostles (all but one) and many of their followers were martyred for evangelizing, for speaking the truth to nations who found some of these issues, and others, to be perfectly acceptable.
The good Sister is not asked to be a martyr; but she cannot seem to publish a work that evangelizes all those who follow the pagan path. So sad…
Margaret—
This is a perfect example of why the Church declares the smallest and primary unit of the Church to be the DOMESTIC CHURCH - the family.
Yes, its hard when the leaders of the Church aren’t leading, and allowing for years this muck to run, um, amuck. BUT, we parents have always had a definitive guide for teaching our children… its called the Catechism. Now, some balk anymore at the Baltimore Catechism, but it is still as beneficial as ever - and more so. We have had since the 1570s the Roman Catechism, and now since the 1990s the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Take that one and your bible, and you’ve got all the resource you need to provide a firm foundation for your own life and your children’s.
Yes, other books and programs are there to help, but if they and other support are hard to find, if we all take the time to study ourselves, we’ll find we have a lot of what we need right there. Then, the Church can be what it was meant to be—a support to our growth, deepening and correcting where we ere—- even if it takes 6 years or more sometimes!
I’m so tired of these so called nuns. Her answer is the typical liberal answer - which I always think to my self - “what did she say or mean?” What’s the point of religious orders that dress like everyone else and live by themselves. I applaud the Vatican on this. I think any religious or clergy that writes a book should have approval from their bishop. Then the Vatican can deal with the bishop for any violation.
Margaret,
Here’s a link from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s website for a regularly updated list of movies: http://www.catholicnews.com/movies.htm This. site breaks down every movie around the time of their release and tells the reader about the movie’s content and problematic themes. I hope this helps.
Gene: Is “timely manner” your only objection? Seems so. It was hardly worth the effort to complain.
So happy to see that Saint Augustine is alive and well making all sexual activity that does not procreate a sin. Thank God we have the Holy Roman Apostolic Catholic Church to save us from ourselves.
Posted by Scott W. on Tuesday, Jun 5, 2012 10:06 AM (EST):
“Are you [cowalker] suggesting that somehow if we can come up with other grave offenses against chastity that somehow Masturbation is not a grave offense?”
Even most Catholics either don’t understand Church teachings on contraception, or they reject them anyway because “It doesn’t hurt anyone.” This is probably not the time to carry on about how awful masturbation is. It hurts Catholic credibility.
Shame, Shame . I am writing this after reading about the “sex book” written by Sr Margeret. The onus on this episode lies on the head of the C D F.
1 Are there no rules about the approval of any such written document ?
2 When any member of a congregation writes a book about faith and morality, should not the same be reviewed by authorities especially a representative of the Diocese’s Bishop or a duly constituted body for such work ?
3 When the book was published in 2009, why none in the Diocese or in Vatican could notice the same ?
4 It is reported that similar books written by some theologians are approved books for graduate studies in colleges, even in Catholic Universities. Does not this look funny ?
5 It is high time Vatican tighten the machinery and also take action against such rebel theologians… as pluralism is not at all tolerated . There is either CHRIST or no CHRIST
This is what happens when Religious Men and Women hanker after joining and living in the World. They have abandoned their Divine Vows, of Obedience, Celibacy and Poverty. My comment based on this Statement: “whether members of the Sisters of Mercy and other congregations of women religious should obey the teaching authority of the Pope and the bishops (as many solemnly vow to do) or embark on an autonomous path.” When they embark on ANOTHER PATH THEY ARE NOT SERVING THE CHURCH OF CHRIST BUT THE CHURCH OF THE WORLD.
John Allen was interviewed on NPR radio on June 6, 2012 by David Green regarding the Church’s condemnation of Sr. Farley’s book “Just Love…”. I recommend that you listen to the interview carefully. The tone and subtle slant is apparent to me. The tenant and tone is one of the church being wrong and the Sister correct. Reading a review of one of his interviews with Cardinal Dolan, the reviewer notes an apparent bias also. (John M. Grondelski , Feb 25, 2012) There seemed to be little defense of the church’s position. Perhaps he is incapable of doing so. For this reason, I suppose that he was the best pick by a liberal media outlet.
http://www.npr.org/2012/06/06/154408069/vatican-criticizes-book-by-catholic-nun
I do agree that Sr. Farley’s opinions are not in line with Catholic teaching. She openly expresses that these are her opinions, but due to her vocation, it would appear on the surface that she is in fact conveying the beliefs of the Church. If she was just a Catholic scholar/expert writing on the subject, I do not believe it would matter so much. I do find the timing to be very suspicious as the book was published in 2006.
She could clear all this up in an instant by simply publically stating that masturbation, homosexual acts, etc. are objectively wrong. She won’t do that because this is classic progressivist death-to-sound-doctrine-by-1000-plausibly-deniable-cuts. Bishop Vasa had it right when he required every employee and volunteer in the diocese sign an affirmation of faith and booted anyone not signing. This should be applied in every diocese and order.
It is a sad state of affairs when Catholic religious, Catholic politicians, and other Catholics who profess to be practicing the faith, PUBLICALLY spit in the eye of the Church and her teaching. Many Catholics do NOT know their faith and are very easily confused and misled. Woe to them who are doing the misleading!! Non-Catholics actually believe Church teaching has changed or that it should because everyone is “doing it.” What ever happened to excommunication? Especially for those who publicaly disavow Church teaching? Are we not negligent for not reprimanding them?
I recently participated in Sunday school classes for Confirmation as a sponsor and was appalled at the lack of knowledge of basic Catholic dogma by these 11th grade students. Several students stated that they did not believe in HELL because a merciful GOD would not permit it! Whatever happened to the Baltimore Catechism? Why not memorize some of the tenants of the faith? I, for one, am very lucky to have learned the faith that way. We should also have more adult catechism classes using DVD presentations that could be put together by some of our well spoken priests, religious, and students of theology. The Catholicism DVD Series is a good example of materials that could be used for such ongoing training. Life is not about wealth, pleasure, and power. It is about trying to become a saint and helping all those around us to be one too!!
Eh, these women make me sick. :(
Enough of this woman, already. She is no more a nun or sister than was Boris Carloff! These people are why we are having such difficulty with young people who will not, will not, follow the directives of the church. She is a holdover of wannabe priestesses that still howl at the moon and worship anything but, the Holy Eurcharist. I know many of them and sadly must say that most were infused with the Holy Spirit during the early years of their formation, and now, they are going out with a whimper. We should keep thier souls in our prayers. I do believe Sister and her followers are holding out till that last moment when they will be able to ask for forgiveness and be allowed in. I certainly hope I am not standing next to any of them!! All of this has been planned on a timeline to discredit mother Church and all she stands for. It should be no secret to anyone as to why so much effort is being put into the likes of this “nun” and her ilk; because the Roman Catholic Church is the handmaid of the Lord and “...the gates of hell shall not prevail…” against her. Stand up and be proud to freely give your lives to the church, and your adoration to Jesus Christ in His essence, The Holy Eucharist.
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