Father Curran on abortion:
“… Even in the question of the morality of abortion it is impossible to speak about *the *Roman Catholic position as if there cannot exist within Catholicism a legitimate dissent from that teaching” (*New Perspectives in Moral Theology, *1974, p. 179).
The teaching of the Catholic Church on abortion:
“… Most recently, the Second Vatican Council, presided over by Paul VI, has most severely condemned abortion: ‘Life must be safeguarded with extreme care from conception; abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes’ (17). The same Paul VI, speaking on this subject on many occasions, has not been afraid to declare that this teaching of the Church ‘has not changed and is unchangeable’ (18)” (*Declaration on Procured Abortion, *Section 7).
Father Curran on fornication:
“One cannot brand all pre-marital sex under the same blanket condemnation of fornication. There is quite a bit of difference between sexual relations with a prostitute and with a spouse to be” (*Contemporary Problems in Moral Theology, *1970, p. 169).
The teaching of the Catholic Church on fornication:
"… For you can be quite certain that nobody who actually indulges in fornication or impurity or promiscuity—which is worshipping a false god—can inherit anything of the Kingdom of God. Do not let anyone deceive you with empty arguments (Eph.5:3-8.cf.4: 18-19)…
“In addition, the Apostle points out the specifically Christian motive for practising chastity when he condemns the sin of fornication not only in the measure that this action is injurious to one’s neighbor or to the social order but because the forni-cator offends against Christ …” (*Declaration on Sexual Ethics, *1975, Section 11).
Father Curran on sterilization:
“I disagree with the past Catholic teaching on sterilization :!!’’ I maintain that in practice Catholics can dissent from the authoritative Church teaching condemning direct sterilization” (*New Persprectives in Moral Theology, *1974, p. 203).
The teaching of the Catholic Church on sterilization:
“… Equally to he excluded, as the teaching authority of the Church has frequently declared, is direct sterilization, whether perpetual or temporary, whether of the man or of the woman” (*Humanae Vitae, *1968, Section 14).
Father Curran on divorce:
“I conclude that the Roman Catholic Chuch should change its teaching and practice on divorce. Divorce and remarriage must be accepted as a reality in our world that at times can take place even without personal guilt on the part of the individuals involved. Indissolubility or permanency is a radical demand of the Gospel that is seen as a goal but not an absolute norm” (*New Perspectives in Moral Theology, *1974, pp. 271-272).
The teaching of the Catholic Church on divorce:
“Again, this love is faithful and exclusive until death. Thus in fact do bride and groom receive it to be on the day when they freely and in full awareness assume the duty of the marriage bond” (*Humanae Vitae, *1968, Section 9).
From a
Letter to the Apostolic Delegate
