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XII The Apostle St. Paul describes in vivid terms the painful interior conflict of the person enslaved to sin: the conflict between "the law of his mind" and the "law of sin which dwells in his members" and which holds him captive.[33] But man can achieve liberation from his "body doomed to death" through the grace of Jesus Christ.[34] This grace is enjoyed by those who have been justified by it and whom "the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set free from the law of sin and death."[35] It is for this reason that the Apostle adjures them: "That is why you must not let sin reign in your mortal bodies or command your obedience to bodily passions."[36]
This liberation, which fits one to serve God in newness of life, does not however suppress the concupiscence deriving from original sin, nor the promptings to evil in this world, which is "in the power of the evil one."[37] This is why the Apostle exhorts the faithful to overcome temptations by the power of God[38] and to "stand against the wiles of the Devil"[39] by faith, watchful prayer[40] and an austerity of life that brings the body into subjection to the Spirit.[41]
Living the Christian life by following in the footsteps of Christ requires that everyone should "deny himself and take up his cross daily,"[42] sustained by the hope of reward, for "if we have died with Him, we shall also reign with Him."[43] In accordance with these pressing exhortations, the faithful of the present time, and indeed today more than ever, must use the means which have always been recommended by the Church for living a chaste life. These means are: discipline of the senses and the mind, watchfulness and prudence in avoiding occasions of sin, the observance of modesty, moderation in recreation, wholesome pursuits, assiduous prayer and frequent reception of the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist. Young people especially should earnestly foster devotion to the Immaculate Mother of God, and take as examples the lives of saints and other faithful people, especially young ones, who excelled in the practice of chastity.
It is important in particular that everyone should have a high esteem for the virtue of chastity, its beauty and its power of attraction. This virtue increases the human person's dignity and enables him to love truly, disinterestedly, unselfishly and with respect for others.
XIII
It is up to the Bishops to instruct the faithful in the moral teaching concerning sexual morality, however great may be the difficulties in carrying out this work in the face of ideas and practices generally prevailing today. This traditional doctrine must be studied more deeply. It must be handed on in a way capable of properly enlightening the consciences of those confronted with new situations and it must be enriched with a discernment of all the elements that can truthfully and usefully be brought forward about the meaning and value of human sexuality. But the principles and norms of moral living reaffirmed in this Declaration must be faithfully held and taught. It will especially be necessary to bring the faithful to understand that the Church holds these principles not as old and inviolable superstitions, nor out of some Manichaean prejudice, as is often alleged, but rather because she knows with certainty that they are in complete harmony with the Divine order of creation and with the spirit of Christ, and therefore also with human dignity.
It is likewise the Bishops' mission to see that a sound doctrine enlightened by faith and directed by the Magisterium of the Church is taught in faculties of theology and in seminaries. Bishops must also ensure that confessors enlighten people's consciences and that catechetical instruction is given in perfect fidelity to Catholic doctrine.
It rests with the Bishops, the priests and their collaborators to alert the faithful against the erroneous opinions often expressed in books, reviews and public meetings.
Parents, in the first place, and also teachers of the young must endeavor to lead their children and their pupils, by way of a complete education, to the psychological, emotional and moral maturity befitting their age. They will therefore prudently give them information suited to their age; and they will assiduously form their wills in accordance with Christian morals, not only by advice but above all by the example of their own lives, relying on God's help, which they will obtain in prayer. They will likewise protect the young from the many dangers of which they are quite unaware.
Artists, writers and all those who use the means of social communication should exercise their profession in accordance with their Christian faith and with a clear awareness of the enormous influence which they can have. They should remember that "the primacy of the objective moral order must be regarded as absolute by all,"[44] and that it is wrong for them to give priority above it to any so-called aesthetic purpose, or to material advantage or to success. Whether it be a question of artistic or literary works, public entertainment or providing information, each individual in his or her own domain must show tact, discretion, moderation and a true sense of values. In this way, far from adding to the growing permissiveness of behavior, each individual will contribute towards controlling it and even towards making the moral climate of society more wholesome.
All lay people, for their part, by virtue of their rights and duties in the work of the apostolate, should endeavor to act in the same way.
Finally, it is necessary to remind everyone of the words of the Second Vatican Council: "This Holy Synod likewise affirms that children and young people have a right to be encouraged to weigh moral values with an upright conscience, and to embrace them by personal choice, to know and love more adequately. Hence, it earnestly entreats all who exercise government over people or preside over the work of education to see that youth is never deprived of this sacred right."[45]
At the audience granted on November 7, 1975, to the undersigned Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Sovereign Pontiff by Divine Providence Pope Paul VI approved this Declaration "On certain questions concerning sexual ethics," confirmed it and ordered its publication.
Given in Rome, at the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, on December 29th, 1975.
Franjo Cardinal Seper Prefect
Most Rev. Jerome Hamer, O.P. Titular Archbishop of Lorium Secretary _____________________________________________________
ENDNOTES 8. Cf. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Declaration "Gravissimum Educationis," 1, 8: AAS 58 (1966), pp. 729-730; 734-736 "Gaudium et Spes," 29, 60, 67 AAS 58 (1966), pp. 1048 1049, 1080-1081, 1088-1089. 9. "Gaudium et Spes," 51 AAS 58 (1966), pp. 1072. 10. Ibid; cf also 49 loc cit, pp. 1069-1070. 11. Ibid, 49, 50 loc cit, pp. 1069-1072. 12. The present Declaration does not go into further detail regarding the norms of sexual life within marriage; these norms have been clearly taught in the encyclical letter "Casti Connubii" and "Humanae Vitae." 23. Mt 19:16-19. 24. Cf. note 17 and 19 above Decree of the Holy Office, March 18th, 1666, DS 2060; Paul VI, encyclical letter "Humanae Vitae," 13, 14 AAS 60 (1968), pp. 489-496. 25. Sam 16:7. 26. Paul VI, encyclical letter "Humanae Vitae," 29 AAS 60 (1968), p. 501. 27. Cf. I Cor 7:7, 34; Council of Trent, Session XXIV, can 10 DS 1810; Second Vatican Council, Constitution "Lumen Gentium," 42 43, 44 AAS 57 (1965), pp. 47-51 Synod of Bishops, "De Sacerdotio Ministeriali," part II, 4, b: AAS 63 (1971), pp. 915-916. 28. Mt 5:28. 29. Cf. Gal 5:19-23; I Cor 6:9-11. 30. I Thess 4:3-8; cf. Col 3:5-7; I Tim 1:10. 31. Eph 5:3-8; cf. 4:18-19. 32. I Cor 6:15, 18-20. 33. Cf. Rom 7:23. 34. Cf. Rom 7:24-25. 35. Cf. Rom 8:2. 36. Rom 6:12. 37. I Jn 5:19. 38. Cf. I Cor 10:13. 39. Eph 6:11. 40. Ct Eph 6:16, 18. 41. Ct I Cor 9:27. 42. Lk 9:23. 43. II Tim 2:11-12. 44. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council decree "Inter Mirifica," 6 AAS 56 (1964), p. 147. 45. "Gravissimum Educationis," 1: AAS 58 (1966), p. 730.
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Sharing: Listen to “You are Mine” by David Haas @ http://www.youtube.com . Don’t you know that God loves you as He has made you in His image, and He has called you specifically by name? Don’t ever forget that you are born to be sons of God, thus we are to act like Him, as Father and son would always look alike. 8-) Don’t you know that His destiny for you is to live a good life so as to receive a huge inheritance from Him eventually, and living happily with Him forever? 8-) Here’s something for you from Saint Sergius: We must realize that when we call God Father, we must act like sons of God. As we are pleased to have God as our Father, so He would be pleased with us. Last updated: 25 June 2012 |
