Ectopic pregnancy

[Doc_Keele]

Consensus is not authoritative.
It’s questionable that “double effect” allows any treatment at all, as all treatments for ectopic pregnancy result foreseeably in the destruction of the embryo, and that destruction is an intrinsic part of the treatment.
Absense of a Vatican ruling leaves us free to go by the dictates of an informed conscience as far as I’m concerned - if the Vatican can’t define “direct abortion” properly then it can be argued that the options must be roughly morally equivalent. Which does leave us free to choose.
That which isn’t forbidden is permissible.

 

[Cetil]

Your post cannot be justified on the basis of Church teachings in moral theology. “Double effect” can be justified. It was discussed by Aquinas. The Vatican is aware of the principle and has applied it in other areas. It is a matter for moral theologians to look at. The Church does not pronounce definitively on every moral choice we face or it would not have time to do anything else. It’s up to moral theologians to apply the Church’s teachings to such moral choices and advise us. Nonetheless, in this instance the US bishops guidelines referenced in the CUF article would be considered authoritative and reliable short of a Vatican ruling.
Your real problem is a lack of understanding of the principles of moral theology. You should study the subject in more depth. The earlier poster showed there is in fact a Vatican ruling on the question from the 19th century. If you wish further clarification the statement of the bishops indeed would be authoritative. You may also contact Cardinal William Levada at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith:

c. His Eminence William Cardinal Levada, S.T.D.
Cardinal Prefect
Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith
Secretary - Fr. Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer, SJ
Piazza del S. Uffizio 11
00193 Rome
Italy
email: cdf@cfaith.va
011 39 06 6988 3357
011.3906.69.88.34.13
011-39-0696100596 FAX
011.3906.69.88.34.09 FAX
cdf@cfaith.va

 

[Doc_Keele]

Cetil, you’re appealing to authority.
My issue is not with “double effect” as such, but with its application to ectopic pregnancy with current methods of treatment.
I certainly don’t misunderstand the principles of moral philosophy as far as I am aware. You don’t understand the principles of formal philosophical argument.

 

[Cetil]

Yes, indeed I am appealing to authority. A Catholic always appeals to authority in such matters. That’s the purpose of this forum. What else were you expecting and why post here otherwise.? Your earlier posts were requests for Vatican rulings. What else is that but an appeal for an authoritative statement??

c.

 

[Doc_Keele]

“A Catholic always appeals to authority in these matters” - well that contradicts the Church’s position on natural law then doesn’t it?
I wanted to look at any Vatican documents on the matter, but the reason why I wanted them is to analyse the philosophical arguments. Not because I needed a statement of the Church’s position, which I was and am well aware of.

 

[ac_claire]

I wanted to look at any Vatican documents on the matter, but the reason why I wanted them is to analyse the philosophical arguments. Not because I needed a statement of the Church’s position, which I was and am well aware of.

Instead of dismissing the resources that you’ve been linked to, go back and analyze the philisophical arguments that they contain, then. Some of them will most likely refer you to other, foundational documents. Go ahead and take the referrals and links, read the foundational documents. analyze what Thomas Aquinas wrote about the principle of double effect in Summa Theologica.

 

[Doc_Keele]

Claire - I have analysed the philosophical arguments. There are far better places than Church documents to find them, particularly in ethics and philosophy journals.