Sunday, December 16, 2012

Do Not Legalise Euthanasia

(Source: BBC Ethics Website)

Euthanasia is initially targeting those with terminal illnesses on the grounds of compassion for their suffering and wanting to alleviate it by ending it. This attempt for justifying euthanasia is based on misguided compassion. “Most people regard life as something sacred and hold that no one may dispose of it at will” (Declaration on Euthanasia, Chapter 1, Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, May 5 1980).

Genuine compassion for the terminally ill has for many years been offered by medical, palliative and hospice care. This care fulfills the emotional, spiritual and medical needs our terminally ill brothers and sisters. Euthanasia will devastate these services and undermine the doctor-patient relationship as has been seen in places which have legalized euthanasia and physician assisted suicide (PAS) e.g. in Oregon and the Netherlands. In the Netherlands this law has degenerated into allowing euthanasia for infants and also for patients with psychological illnesses. It has even been exposed that 38 % of all euthanasia victims were killed by their “doctors” against their will with doctors refusing to report such cases. This is an outrage!

In these places we have seen euthanasia being promoted among our frail, elderly and the disabled as a viable and preferred option with utter disregard to their human dignity. These people are vulnerable to the suggestions of their “doctor” and can be easily persuaded, particularly if there is no one there to support them. This is morally intolerable and is “an offense against the dignity of the human person, a crime against life and an attack on humanity” (Declaration on Euthanasia, Chapter 2).

Our compassionate efforts to support our disadvantaged, elderly and ill citizens irrespective of their status in society is what has set Australia and all civilized nations apart from those with low morality and barbarism. Currently the majority of the world view suicide and intentionally causing ones own death as illegal under the moral law and contrary to the Hippocratic oath. Doctors are meant to save lives not take lives!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

What to do when there is a Liturgical Abuse: Redemptionis Sacramentum

Some Excerpts from Redemptionis Sacramentum (2004) issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments and approved and ordered for publication by Bl. Pope John Paul II:

“[169.] Whenever an abuse is committed in the celebration of the sacred Liturgy, it is to be seen as a real falsification of Catholic Liturgy. St Thomas wrote, “the vice of falsehood is perpetrated by anyone who offers worship to God on behalf of the Church in a manner contrary to that which is established by the Church with divine authority, and to which the Church is accustomed”.[278]

[170.] In order that a remedy may be applied to such abuses, “there is a pressing need for the biblical and liturgical formation of the people of God, both pastors and faithful”,[279] so that the Church’s faith and discipline concerning the sacred Liturgy may be accurately presented and understood. Where abuses persist, however, proceedings should be undertaken for safeguarding the spiritual patrimony and rights of the Church in accordance with the law, employing all legitimate means.

[171.] Among the various abuses there are some which are objectively graviora delicta or otherwise constitute grave matters, as well as others which are nonetheless to be carefully avoided and corrected. Bearing in mind everything that is treated especially in Chapter I of this Instruction, attention should be paid to what follows.

2. Grave Matters

[173.] Although the gravity of a matter is to be judged in accordance with the common teaching of the Church and the norms established by her, objectively to be considered among grave matters is anything that puts at risk the validity and dignity of the Most Holy Eucharist: namely, anything that contravenes what is set out above in nn. 48-52, 56, 76-77, 79, 91-92, 94, 96, 101-102, 104, 106, 109, 111, 115, 117, 126, 131-133, 138, 153 and 168. Moreover, attention should be given to the other prescriptions of the Code of Canon Law, and especially what is laid down by canons 1364, 1369, 1373, 1376, 1380, 1384, 1385, 1386, and 1398.”

The following is especially relevant to all Catholics when they encounter Liturgical Abuses:

“6. Complaints Regarding Abuses in Liturgical Matters

[183.] In an altogether particular manner, let everyone do all that is in their power to ensure that the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist will be protected from any and every irreverence or distortion and that all abuses be thoroughly corrected. This is a most serious duty incumbent upon each and every one, and all are bound to carry it out without any favouritism.

[184.] Any Catholic, whether Priest or Deacon or lay member of Christ’s faithful, has the right to lodge a complaint regarding a liturgical abuse to the diocesan Bishop or the competent Ordinary equivalent to him in law, or to the Apostolic See on account of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff.[290] It is fitting, however, insofar as possible, that the report or complaint be submitted first to the diocesan Bishop. This is naturally to be done in truth and charity.”

The following is related to the duties and obligations of the Diocesan Bishop

“4. The Diocesan Bishop

[176.] The diocesan Bishop, “since he is the principal dispenser of the mysteries of God, is to strive constantly so that Christ’s faithful entrusted to his care may grow in grace through the celebration of the sacraments, and that they may know and live the Paschal Mystery”.[285] It is his responsibility, “within the limits of his competence, to issue norms on liturgical matters by which all are bound”.[286]

[177.] “Since he must safeguard the unity of the universal Church, the Bishop is bound to promote the discipline common to the entire Church and therefore to insist upon the observance of all ecclesiastical laws. He is to be watchful lest abuses encroach upon ecclesiastical discipline, especially as regards the ministry of the Word, the celebration of the Sacraments and sacramentals, the worship of God and the veneration of the Saints”.[287]

[178.] Hence whenever a local Ordinary or the Ordinary of a religious Institute or of a Society of apostolic life receives at least a plausible notice of a delict or abuse concerning the Most Holy Eucharist, let him carefully investigate, either personally or by means of another worthy cleric, concerning the facts and the circumstances as well as the imputability.

[179.] Delicts against the faith as well as graviora delicta committed in the celebration of the Eucharist and the other Sacraments are to be referred without delay to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which “examines [them] and, if necessary, proceeds to the declaration or imposition of canonical sanctions according to the norm of common or proper law”.[288]

[180.] Otherwise the Ordinary should proceed according the norms of the sacred canons, imposing canonical penalties if necessary, and bearing in mind in particular that which is laid down by canon 1326. If the matter is serious, let him inform the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

5. The Apostolic See

[181.] Whenever the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments receives at least a plausible notice of a delict or an abuse concerning the Most Holy Eucharist, it informs the Ordinary so that he may investigate the matter. When the matter turns out to be serious, the Ordinary should send to the same Dicastery as quickly as possible a copy of the acts of the inquiry that has been undertaken, and where necessary, the penalty imposed.”

Read the Complete Document of Redemptionis Sacramentum Here

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Abortion and Ireland

Please take the time to read the following excellent articles, relating to current events about abortion in the country of Ireland.

‘Legalize abortion now!’: The whole world is baying for the blood of Irish children

Opinion Piece from Hilary White on LifeSiteNews.com

(http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/the-whole-world-is-baying-for-the-blood-of-irish-children)

IRISH ABORTION RATE DECLINES FOR 9TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Zenit.org

(http://www.zenit.org/article-32670?l=english)

Irish Mother’s Death Tragic, And Exploiting It to Promote Abortion

Paul Coleman - LifeNews.com

(http://www.lifenews.com/2012/11/20/irish-mothers-death-tragic-and-exploiting-it-to-promote-abortion/)

Changing Ireland’s Abortion Law Will Not Save Women’s Lives

Dr Peter Saunders - LifeNews.com
(http://www.lifenews.com/2012/11/19/changing-irelands-abortion-law-will-not-save-womens-lives/)

Further Reading

(On the issue of abortion in general)

Abortion : Pain for Babies, Pain for Mothers

Abortion, The Natural Law and The Sacred Scriptures

Do Not Legalise Prostitution

Prostitution is a serious moral issue that greatly affects society at all levels. The legalisation of prostitution is seen by some as a solution to the problem of the global sex market. This is partly based on the false assumption that legalisation of “the industry” will diminish the problems of the current illegal industry, such as, street prostitution, high visibility brothels and related organised crime. However, the legalisation or decriminalisation of prostitution increases, rather than decreases the activity of the sex industry, which in turn devalues and enslaves women. This is essentially a form of state-sanctioned exploitation of women. The criminalisation model, used in countries such as Sweden, Norway and Iceland, is the best way to control the sex industry and is the only model that values, honours and protects women. Legalising prostitution will give the illusion that such activity is acceptable and moral and that brothels are like any other reputable business.
The legalisation or decriminalisation of prostitution is seen by some as a harm minimisation effort. However, the opposite has proved to be the case, such as in Victoria, where prostitution has been legal for over two decades and far greater harm and exploitation of women has resulted. The most effective and morally sensible approach is one which aims for harm elimination, which is best achieved through the criminalization of sexual purchases. This approach best protects and defends the dignity of women and prevents the entry into an industry that greatly damages them and an one in which women find it increasingly more difficult to leave.
“The Victorian experience demonstrates that legalisation does nothing to protect the health and safety of those within the industry.”[1]
The legalisation of prostitution in Victoria has not seen the disappearance of illegal or street prostitution; rather, it has increased at a rate greater than the legal prostitution industry. In Queensland, brothels were legalised in 1999, however, 90% of the sex trade in that state is illegal. Organised crime, also, has not decreased with the legalisation of prostitution, contrary to the thoughts of those who support prostitution legalisation, and trafficking of women occurs in both legal and illegal brothels.
With the legalisation of prostitution in Victoria, the demand for sexual services has sharply increased. This means that more women and girls enter the prostitution industry in order to support the increasing demand. However, once in the industry many feel they are trapped. “In fact 64% of women in prostitution in Victoria want to leave the industry”[2].
When prostitution is seen as a legitimate business (this happens when prostitution is legalised), brothel owners and the industry in general, attempt to maximise profits and meet the increasing demands of the male consumers. Unfortunately, the rights and dignity of women is relegated while the increasing of profits and expansion of this lucrative industry is promoted. Some argue that with the expansion and legalisation of the industry women “workers” have improved pay and working conditions. This is false, as the Victorian experience shows; the implicit violence of prostitution is in fact very real and remains in the “work” practices of both legal and illegal prostitution “businesses”. Prostitutes continue to suffer long and lasting physical and mental harm. Prostitutes may take illicit drugs in order to numb the physical and psychological pain they experience and some in fact may take their own lives in the tragedy of suicide. Furthermore, a legal prostitution industry in Victoria has not resulted in a proportionate increase in pay over the years :
“At the end of the 1990s,IBIS Business Information Services exposed that fees charged by prostituted women had not changed significantly over the previous ten years. Women on average earned between A$400 to A$500 per week, did not receive holiday pay or sick leave, and worked around four ten-hour shifts per week”[3]
Overall, the legalisation of prostitution, is essentially state-sanctioned exploitation of women through sexual enslavement and abuse. Once prostitution is legalised demand for “sexual services” will increase and illegal prostitution will increase at a greater rate than legal prostitiution. Legitimising prostitution by its legalisation or decriminalisation will promote and increase human trafficking of both women and children. Prostitution legalisation does not solve any problems of the current situation but rather entrenches them and creates problems of its own. The best way to solve the problems that exist is to criminalise sexual purchases as this protects and defends women from exploitation, by reducing the demand for prostitutes.

[1] What Happens When Prostitution Becomes Work?
An Update on Legalisation of Prostitution in Australia
Mary Sullivan
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women, Australia, 2005
p.6
[2] Ibid p.11
[3] Ibid p.9

Further Reading:

What Happens When Prostitution Becomes Work?
An Update on Legalisation of Prostitution in Australia
Mary Sullivan
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women, Australia, 2005

http://action.web.ca/home/catw/attach/Sullivan_proof_01.pdf