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Arrivaderci Roma!
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
This morning I completed the comps for the Licentiate in Sacred Theology (Morals). It’s done! Thanks be to God!
I’ll be heading out of Rome this evening, on my way to England, where I’ll catch the ship Queen Mary 2 and head home to the United States via the high seas. It’s going to be a small vacation and a retreat, a time to reflect and transition. Please remember me in your prayers.
I won’t have regular e-mail access until July 2. Please know of my thoughts and prayers.
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Some More from the Thesis…
Monday, June 21st, 2010
This follows the Preamble of the Introduction, which was posted awhile back on the blog.
2) Purpose
This thesis explores only one effort in the overall attempt to present and teach moral truth in a way that is credible and convincing within society. It theologically evaluates the use of the natural law as a teacher in public discourse. It contends that the natural law can be a noble tutor in a pluralistic society’s search for moral truth and consensus.
The thesis recognizes the views of some commentators that the natural law is a removed and overly complicated metaphysical theory, or an antiquated and unhelpful source for understanding moral truth. It acknowledges the rapid pace of the contemporary world, along with the immediate and simple dispersion of information. It sees the human person in this world. And, within this arena, the thesis begins by seeking a necessary starting point from which the Church can present the natural law. From this starting point, the thesis labors to show the basic tenets of the natural law, their simplicity, and their usefulness in making decisions that direct and shape the life of the person and society.
The thesis is inspired by the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, and its summons to engage the contemporary world in dialogue and true collaboration. In this task, it relies heavily upon the writings and worldview of Pope Benedict XVI, and it uses his teachings and theology as its proper base and impetus. The thesis acknowledges the concerns of the Pope in regards to the moral health of society, and it seeks to explore and develop his understanding of the role which the natural law can play in correcting misunderstandings of moral truth, and in bequeathing and establishing a shared moral vision within society.
The thesis uses classical sources, especially St. Thomas Aquinas, and contemporary Anglophone interpreters of the classical tradition in support of its arguments.[1]
3) Method and Scope
In accomplishing these tasks, the thesis consists of three parts.
Chapter One of the thesis establishes a platform from which the natural law can receive a hearing in the discussion on moral truth. Using Pope Benedict XVI’s Address to the Civil and Political Authorities and the Diplomatic Corp in Prague, Czech Republic, as well as the Pope’s understanding of human nature as its backdrop, the chapter contends that the best starting point for the natural law is the spiritual nature of the human person. Using diverse authors within the Christian tradition, the chapter traces the historical development in understanding the human person. Using St. Thomas Aquinas and other thinkers, the chapter summarizes human nature and provides a basic Christian anthropology. It stresses the rational nature of the person as a foundation upon which the natural law can be heard and understood.
Chapter One emphasizes the importance of the body in human nature, and its proper relationship with the spiritual soul. The spiritual identity of the person is discussed, and, using such authors as Victor Frankl and Michael Novak, the person’s capacity to ask questions and to see and appreciate truth, beauty, and goodness are explained as an aspect of the person’s spiritual nature. The chapter asserts that the human person was made as a bodily and spiritual being. By integrating the fullness of who he is, by seeking truth, beauty, and goodness, along with contemplating the order of existence, asking existential questions, and exploring the meaning of life, the person is able to discern an order not made by himself, but one that is within him and that calls for his docility. It is this slow recognition of this transcendental order and the desire to follow it that begins to awaken the person to an understanding of the natural law. By stirring the echo of the natural law within the human heart, the person and society might be more receptive to hearing the arguments for moral truth based on the tenets of the natural law. In conclusion, Chapter One’s purpose is to argue and demonstrate that the nature of the human person, specifically his spiritual soul, is the best possible starting point to gain a hearing for the natural law in public discourse.
Next, Chapter Two of the thesis elaborates and expands upon the themes of the human person from Chapter One. On the foundation of the person’s spiritual nature, the chapter develops the various tenets of the natural law. Pope Benedict XVI’s Message to the General Assembly of the United Nations, as well as his writings on conscience, are used in the arguments of the chapter. Overall, Chapter Two depends upon the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas, and various Thomistic interpreters are referenced, especially Jacques Maritain, Russell Hittinger, Matthew Levering, Romanus Cessario, and Fulvio Di Blasi. The human person’s capacity to discover, know, and seek to live according to an order within himself, but given by the Creator is researched and argued. The role of the Creator, providence and order, nature and law, teleology, and discernment and obedience are explored and presented as basic tenets of the natural law. The reasonableness and simplicity of the natural law is stressed as an attractive feature favoring its use in public discourse on moral truth.
Chapter Three of the thesis is a theological evaluation of an application of the natural law to a contemporary moral issue. The chapter begins by presenting two possible paths for humanity’s future, and explains aspects of each. It raises the question of how moral truth could be presented and used in the public forum. St. Paul is given as an example of presenting truth in a pluralistic society, and lessons are drawn from his ministry. Sources for this chapter include the International Theological Commission’s document, The Search for Universal Ethics: A New Look at Natural Law, Pope Benedict XVI’s messages to the commission, the encyclicals Deus Caritas Est and Caritas in Veritate, as well as other pertinent papal writings that address the theme of the natural law and public discourse. Finally, the chapter presents criteria for dialogue based upon Pope Paul VI’s encyclical Ecclesiam Suam, and other additional selections from the writings of Joseph Ratzinger.
With the foregoing presentation of an articulated framework of the Church’s engagement with pluralistic societies, the chapter takes up the pastoral letter of the Bishops of New Jersey in the United States as a case study. The letter, The Call to Marriage Is Woven Deeply in the Human Spirit, is a statement on the sanctity of marriage, which was promulgated by the Bishops when New Jersey was debating the issue of legalized same-sex marriages. In the pastoral letter, the Bishops used the natural law in their argument. Consequently, Chapter Three explores this use of the natural law.
In preparing to assess the pastoral letter, the chapter reviews some of the cultural trends and the legal history surrounding the proposed law sanctioning same-sex marriages. The chapter uses pastoral statements from the Church’s universal magisterium, as well as the writings of different authors, including John Harvey, in preparing to evaluate the letter.
Finally, with this cultural understanding and legal history, and using Chapter One and Chapter Two as guides, the third chapter of the thesis theological assesses the use of the natural law in the pastoral letter, and reviews its effectiveness in the public debate.
[1] The writings of Germain Grisez and John Finnis, Natural Law and Natural Rights (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1999), and Robert George, In Defense of the Natural Law (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999), will not be referenced in the thesis. While their work is helpful, it presents a “new” theory of the natural law which is beyond the scope of this work precisely insofar as theirs is a new version of the classical tradition and substantially discontinuous with it. Cf. Russell Hittinger, A Critique of the New Natural Law Theory (Notre Dame: Notre Dame University Press, 1989). Additionally, the work of Martin Rhonheimer, Natural Law and Practical Reason, Trans. Gerald Malsbary (New York: Fordham University Press, 2000), will not be referenced in the thesis as his work is as much influenced by modern philosophy as it is influenced by his desire to interpret Aquinas and the classical tradition.
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A Principal’s Reflection
Sunday, June 20th, 2010
Mrs. Peggy Wertz
Dear Readers,
I recently had the opportunity to travel to Rome, Vienna, Krakow, and Auschwitz with eight young men. The fourteen to seventeen year olds had been invited to participate in the Kolbe Vocations Pilgrimage, which was a privately funded, by invitation, independent pilgrimage for young men. The primary purpose was to allow God, through prayer, collegiality, tangible experiences, and God’s Graces to work to open their hearts, minds, and souls to God’s call for their immediate and future service to the Church and others.
I am compelled to share with you that the future of the Catholic Church is in the hands of many caring, committed, and blessed men! Over the eleven days, the pilgrims prayed, dined, questioned, listened, followed, and shared experiences with at least twenty holy and enthusiastic priests and deacons, as well some faithful lay followers of Christ. Through the Eucharist, scripture, prayers, meals, and tours shared with these individuals, the pilgrims are now better prepared to be faithful disciples and to serve the Lord.
It was humbling to witness the pilgrims as they grew closer to Jesus Christ and opened their minds and hearts to His plan for them. Please join me in praying for these and other young men and women as they strive to follow Jesus Christ and listen to his plan for them.
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A Priest’s Reflection
Friday, June 18th, 2010
St. Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome: “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world” (1:8). This sentiment of the Apostle is the same sentiment on my heart. I am thankful for the faith and witness of the Kolbe pilgrims. Each of them gave a strong testimony to Jesus Christ throughout the pilgrimage by their prayerfulness, kindness, and attentiveness to others. Many people in Rome, Vienna, Krakow, and Warsaw commented on the young people, and repeatedly expressed their hope in seeing such zealous young apostles of the Lord. Their faith was truly proclaimed throughout all the world! Thanks be to God!
The young people have told their story. The blog entries, often written late in the evening, were small summaries of their experiences each day, and of the lessons they learned throughout the many days of the pilgrimage.
Nothing can be added to their final blog entry. It says it all: we are called to be disciples, to know, love and serve the Lord in all we do. This is the foundation and source of everything we do as Christians.
As the pilgrimage came to a close, there was some sorrow, but overwhelming excitement as we see a bright future in Jesus Christ. I am also filled with tremendous hope and great wonder as I consider what the Lord is doing (and will do) in and through the lives of these young believers and apostles of the Lord Jesus.
Come, Holy Spirit! Thanks be to God!
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Greetings from Rome!
Sunday, June 6th, 2010
We drove to Atlanta,GA. We flew from Atlanta to London, UK. London to Rome. In Rome we cleaned up in the Columbus hotel and headed out to Saint Peter’s square.
Here we are outside Saint Peter’s Basilica; what a sight! The square is large enough to fit two Wringley Field Stadiums! The detail of the square is astounding, containing 140 saints on its colonades. With all these wonderful things on the outside, we still were no where near prepared for the architecture inside the following day.
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Fr. Kolbe Group on Pilgrimage
Friday, June 4th, 2010
The Fr. Kolbe Vocations Pilgrimage group left Aiken early this afternoon. They headed from Aiken to Atlanta to catch their trans-Atlantic flight to London, and then tomorrow they’ll fly from London to Rome.
The group consists of eight young men and three adults. They’ll be on pilgrimage to see the cultural sites and spiritual glories of the Catholic Faith over the next ten days.
Rather than attempt to tell you their story myself, I’m going to relinquish the blog to the group, and have them guest blog about their experiences and adventures throughout the pilgrimage. I hope many of you are able to read the blog and follow the group’s pilgrimage!
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Shout Out to Venture Crew 115
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
Recently, I spent an afternoon doing some hiking with a few of the other priests in the house. I hope the Venture Crew in Aiken notes the shirt.
Here’s my failed attempt to read the map. Let’s just say that it’s sometimes fun to get lost!
I hope Venture Crew 115 has a great summer in store! Best of luck to you all – enjoy the adventure!
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Introduction of the Thesis
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
Here’s the prologue of the introduction to my thesis. If anyone is really bored, happy reading!
INTRODUCTION
“Always be prepared to make defense to any one who
calls you to account for the hope that is in you,
yet do it with gentleness and reverence.”
1 Peter 3:15
1) Prologue
The human person and the society in which he participates are regularly presented with opportunities that require decisions. The decisions themselves contribute to the moral understanding and character of the person and of society. They play an integral part in shaping who the person will be, and what the society will value as a community of persons. The decisions of how a person is defined, or how marriage is understood, and what constitutes a family, among other decisions, will establish a way of life for the members of a society and the society itself.
The heart of these decisions rest in the person and in society’s grasp of moral truth. Since these decisions are so essential, and they relate so intimately to the dignity of the human person, the Church is zealously concerned with the teaching and presentation of moral truth in society. The question of how to teach and present moral truth, therefore, becomes a pressing and grave inquiry. The way in which truth, particularly that relating to human action and behavior, is argued in a pluralistic society is of utmost importance, and such efforts must be well formulated and argued succinctly, if they are going to be effective.
In the midst of such an opportunity and challenge, how can moral truth be argued in such a way that it is clear to the person and society, credible to their understanding, and convincing and influential in their decision-making?
The pluralistic society, one that is open and contains various and multiple worldviews and perspectives of life and morality, offers a unique arena in which moral truth can be presented and argued, since such a society needs a shared comprehension and mutual foundation of moral truths, from which it can choose how to live. Within such a monumental challenge, where can the person and society look for such a common ground in the realm of moral truth? Is such a search an impossible task? Is the person and society left to the maneuvers of positive law alone in finding its shared moral vision?
In genuine service to humanity, the Church presents the natural law as a foundation for the person and society’s discernment and acceptance of a moral foundation and source of unity. In the plethora of possible options, the Church turns to the person himself, to his dignity and nature. It points to the person’s spiritual soul and natural thirst and appreciation for truth, beauty, and goodness. It shows humanity the order within the spiritual world and within the person’s own soul. It points to the providential order given to them by the Creator. The Church offers the natural law as a basis for coming to a consensus on moral truth, and indicates the natural law as the ground upon which all positive law can, and should, be based and inspired.
The allure of materialism and hedonism, positivism and utilitarianism, to the person and society are strong, but the reception and love for the natural order and its blessings can be seen and recognized by those of good will. The natural law shows the reasonableness of virtue, and begins to show the person and society how they should live, and what it means to be a human person. The natural law is truly a shared inheritance, and it calls for a way of life that is different from the incomplete or wayward ways of the fallen world.
The struggle and discernment for the acceptance and integration of moral truth is played out in diverse ways and over a multiplicity of issues. In these debates, does the natural law endure the test of tried experience? Is the Church correct in offering the natural law as a teacher in public discourse and in the search for public virtue? Can it be a helpful resource to the person and society’s quest for moral truth?
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Come, Holy Spirit!
Monday, May 24th, 2010
On Saturday evening, several of us priests who live here at the Casa Santa Maria (the Rome residence for American priests in advanced studies) got together for supper and drinks on the roof of the building. Many of the priests were celebrating the anniversaries of their Ordinations, and it was a very relaxing and enjoyable time. Many of the stories were hilarious (as well as inspiring).
On Sunday, the high solemnity of Pentecost, celebrating when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, I went with several other priests to the Pope’s Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. I was able to assist with the distribution of Holy Communion, and that’s always edifying and encouraging. The Pope gave an awesome homily on the fire of the Holy Spirit. Check it out.
On Pentecost, one of the main events in Rome, is the Mass at the Pantheon. The pantheon was once the temple of all the pagan gods in ancient Rome. It has since become a Christian Church, with Mass offered there on a regular basis. On Pentecost, from the large opening in the ceiling, red rose petals are dropped during the Mass. Literally, with the sunlight hitting the red rose petals, they really do look like tongues of fire. It’s pretty awesome.
I missed that Mass this year, but was able to attend a few years ago, and it’s just a great sight to behold.
It’s said that the entire event uses rose petals from over 10,000 red roses!
After the grand celebration at St. Peter’s Basilica, and then a good lunch at the priest house, in the evening I watched the movie “Precious.” Now, this is a harsh movie with a lot of traumatic and disturbing scenes. It really shows the fallenness of humanity. The story is about Precious, a 16-year-old African-American young woman, who has two children from abuse, one of them with special needs, an abusive mother, poverty, and horrible self-esteem and views of love. Through her own self-determination, and the help and love of others (who have their own faults), Precious begins to find her way. She refuses to accept the fallenness around her, and desires to become a better person because of the love she has for her children. Seriously, this movie sticks with you. After watching it last night, I had problems falling asleep.
The movie resonated with several personal memories. When I was in graduate school in Steubenville, Ohio, I lived in the projects for three semesters. The university had purchased the property, and it decided to slowly integrate students as apartments opened up. I was one of the lucky ones to get an apartment. It was almost free in terms of financial cost, but it was an eye-opener. I would go from class with lessons on the power of sense perception, the sanctity of the human body, the transcendental powers of the human soul, the person’s capacity to ask questions and seek meaning, to the projects where dignity was replaced by disgrace. The verbal and emotional abuse was only the tip of the iceberg, and it presented a very different view of human life. Later in my own life, I appreciated how much living in the projects grounded and matured my studies in philosophy of the human person (and even my subsequent theological studies).
In my life, whether living in the projects or watching “Precious,” I’m no longer moved by the violence and fallenness of human nature and of the evil that surrounds us, but I am always moved to emotion by the beauty and power of the goodness that’s within us and that we can show towards others. Truth be told, the expressions of goodness, especially in the midst of fallenness, always provoke me to wonder and awe. Just think: we can be instruments of peace and consolation in our world. I think this is why I am so attracted and inspired by this movie, and on a broader scale, by our saints. In the movie, Precious chooses to live and share a message of goodness. It’s the same message offered to us by the saints: live worthily the vocation you have received. Goodness is contagious, and it’s never lost (even if it’s unappreciated, mocked, or taken advantage of). Love conquers, builds up, heals, and sanctifies the person who chooses to live by it.
These were some good thoughts for Pentecost.
Today we entered the last week of classes, and then exams begin. Please send some prayers this way!
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Bioethics and Discipleship
Thursday, May 20th, 2010
My bioethics exam went well. There were some tricky questions, but it’s a tricky field of study. Details and specifics are so essential. With the exam done, I’ve completed two years of study in the field. Assuming the final exam scores well, I’ll have a Masters in Bioethics. That’s just weird. As I took the train back from the university, I couldn’t believe that the classes are over. I’ve learned a lot, and I’m really ready to get home and put it all to some good use. Right teaching (orthodoxy) should always compel us to right action (orthopraxy).
One book that I would strongly recommend to anyone who is interested in bioethics is William May’s Catholic Bioethics and the Gift of Human Life. Dr. May is a great teacher, and this book is very readable and formative to anyone.
Now, the focus is on my three remaining classes and the final exams for those courses.
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