Church Teaching on Political Issues

[Joey97]

Hi all! I hope everyone is doing well! I have a question regarding Church teaching on some old political issues. What does the Church teaching regarding the legality of artificial contraception (ie birth control) and pornography? I’m personally what you would call an “old soul” when it comes to these issues, but I was wondering if the Church has a definite teaching on whether Catholics should actively seek to outlaw these things. Thanks for the help.

 

[RomanoAmerio]

Hi all! I hope everyone is doing well! I have a question regarding Church teaching on some old political issues. What does the Church teaching regarding the legality of artificial contraception (ie birth control) and pornography? I’m personally what you would call an “old soul” when it comes to these issues, but I was wondering if the Church has a definite teaching on whether Catholics should actively seek to outlaw these things. Thanks for the help.

I don’t think the Church has officially pronounced on the legality (in terms of secular law) of contraception, but it has been condemned repeatedly, with the most recent documents being Pius XI’s Casti Connubii and Paul VI’s Humanae Vitae.

Pornography was discussed as a major problem facing families as recently as Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia, but again, there were no specific recommendations on outlawing it.

However, given that we are all called to serve Christ and remind the world of His Kingship (see Pius XI, Quas primas), it would behoove us to speak out against both these evils, and to seek legal restrictions or bans on them insofar as this is possible.

 

[Rau]

…However, given that we are all called to serve Christ and remind the world of His Kingship (see Pius XI, Quas primas), it would behoove us to speak out against both these evils, and to seek legal restrictions or bans on them insofar as this is possible.

…and in so far as we believe bans would have a good (not a bad) effect.

The conversion of hearts and minds must generally precede lawmaking if the latter is to have a good effect, and even then it does not always…

 

[superwimp]

…and in so far as we believe bans would have a good (not a bad) effect.

The conversion of hearts and minds must generally precede lawmaking if the latter is to have a good effect, and even then it does not always…

Just to add to what Rau wrote if you want to convince people to outlaw something you should have a coherent argument rather than merely that some organization that claims to speak for God says its wrong. You also need to be honest not like the pro-lifers who claim that sperm are actually babies.

 

[Rau]

…You also need to be honest not like the pro-lifers who claim that sperm are actually babies.

No prolifer in this century (and probably not for a few before that) makes that claim. The claim is that after conception human life starts. Our first phase of existence. Some pro-choice persons deny this reality.

 

[kozlosap]

Working to make sure that abortion is rare is totally different than advocating that artificial birth control (ABC) should be against the law. Can you just imagine the marches that would ensue?

 

[Robert_in_SD]

No prolifer in this century (and probably not for a few before that) makes that claim. The claim is that after conception human life starts. Our first phase of existence. Some pro-choice persons deny this reality.

Agreed Rau. This teaching is consistent with medical texts as well. princeton.edu/~prolife/articles/embryoquotes2.htmlIf someone out there is trying to argue that a sperm cell is a human life, they are simply wrong. The great weight of authority supports the Catholic position that a human life begins at conception.

Peace,
Robert

 

[Genesis315]

Not every sin needs to be illegal/actively suppressed by civil authority. While such things are always sinful, whether they are tolerated or actively suppressed is a question which requires an analysis what will best advance the common good given the circumstances.

That being said, here are some recent sources:

From the Catechism (my emphasis):

2354 Pornography consists in removing real or simulated sexual acts from the intimacy of the partners, in order to display them deliberately to third parties. It offends against chastity because it perverts the conjugal act, the intimate giving of spouses to each other. It does grave injury to the dignity of its participants (actors, vendors, the public), since each one becomes an object of base pleasure and illicit profit for others. It immerses all who are involved in the illusion of a fantasy world. It is a grave offense. Civil authorities should prevent the production and distribution of pornographic materials.

On the topic of contraception, Humanae Vitae speaks more generally:

Appeal to Public Authorities

1. And now We wish to speak to rulers of nations. To you most of all is committed the responsibility of safeguarding the common good. You can contribute so much to the preservation of morals. We beg of you, never allow the morals of your peoples to be undermined. The family is the primary unit in the state; do not tolerate any legislation which would introduce into the family those practices which are opposed to the natural law of God. For there are other ways by which a government can and should solve the population problem—that is to say by enacting laws which will assist families and by educating the people wisely so that the moral law and the freedom of the citizens are both safeguarded.