80 år siden Casti connubii

Alle som studerer katolsk ekteskapsteologi, er innom pave Pius XI’s encyklika som ble publisert for 80 år siden; Casti connubii. Rorate Cæli skriver begeistret om dette i dag:

In this glorious day of the Epiphany, when the adoration of a Baby by strange noblemen from distant lands is remembered by us, we would like to remind every Catholic of one of the most important Encyclical letters of the 20th Century: Casti Connubii, signed on December 31, 1930, and published 80 years ago.

This encyclical is especially important to those converts who saw the beauty of the One True Faith from afar in its moral teachings long, much long actually, before even entertaining with any seriousness the notion of becoming Catholic. …

De anglikanske biskopene hadde nemlig på the Lambeth Conference i 1930 vedtatt en revolusjonerende uttalelse om prevensjon; den aller første åpningen for bruk av prevensjon av noe kirkesamfunn – de lutherske kirkene har aldri vedtatt noe slikt så vidt jeg vet, men det var vel rundt 1930 at prevensjon begynte å bli akseptert i de fleste land i vesten. De anglikanske biskopenes dokument oppleves i dag ganske konservativt, selv om det var revolusjonerende:

… Where there is clearly felt moral obligation to limit or avoid parenthood, the method must be decided on Christian principles. The primary and obvious method is complete abstinence from intercourse (as far as may be necessary) in a life of discipline and self-control lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless in those cases where there is such a clearly felt moral obligation to limit or avoid parenthood, and where there is a morally sound reason for avoiding complete abstinence, the Conference agrees that other methods may be used, provided that this is done in the light of the same Christian principles. The Conference records its strong condemnation of the use of any methods of conception control from motives of selfishness, luxury, or mere convenience. …

Pave Pius XI svarte så på denne anglikanske utfordringen etter bare noen få måneder, og sa i Casti connubii bl.a.:

«Since, therefore, openly departing from the uninterrupted Christian tradition some recently have judged it possible solemnly to declare another doctrine regarding this question, the Catholic Church, to whom God has entrusted the defense of the integrity and purity of morals, standing erect in the midst of the moral ruin which surrounds her, in order that she may preserve the chastity of the nuptial union from being defiled by this foul stain, raises her voice in token of her divine ambassadorship and through Our mouth proclaims anew: any use whatsoever of matrimony exercised in such a way that the act is deliberately frustrated in its natural power to generate life is an offense against the law of God and of nature, and those who indulge in such are branded with the guilt of a grave sin.» …