News Scrapbook 1969-1971

The Church's View on Se~- From Augustine to Vatican II

2nd Intersession· Slated At USO The University of San Diego's second intersession, offering a wide range of courses, will be held from Jan. 4 to 23. For regu- lar students, this is the period between semesters at USO. Twelve courses will be off- ered. All but one will carry three units of credit, with some at upper division or graduate levels. Courses will meet four or five days a week. the courses will be submarine archaeology; frontier in American literature; the his- torian as detective· the mance of the violin; contemporary Ara- bian philosophy; the philosophy of sex; explorations into the mind, and understanding East- /)..,/3,)0-- Among

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Interest High for College ~1-.ief's Post ,67~ /;l.•~"\~() SAN DTEGO - At least 155 people want to be president of the J'oivetsi- ty of San Die~, a Roman Cat ho Ii c institution, a spokesman said J,'rid,n- John E. B~cr, president of the l'SD Col- lege for Men, and Sister Nancy Morris, president of the College for Women, plan to seek other posts. The colleges, both cor- porate entities, are merg- mg as the university. Msgr.

USO Offers 12 Courses

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l::L·/0-?0 By Father Francis Wieser, JCD

The reaction to Sanchez was vehement, especially from the Jansenistic or Puritan movement which had just taken root in Nor- thern Europe. The rigorists waged ec- clesiastical war against these new Jesuit teachers. THE MOST decisive action came from the Jesuit General Claudius Aquaviva. In an order issued April 24, 1612, he enjoined the Jesuits under obedience, and under penalty of excommunication and removal from any teaching office, not to teach · or to counsel that there is "smallness of matter" in sexual sins. be presented as always in- volving matter of mortal sin. This decree may be regarded as a turning point in the development of Catholic morality in matters of sex. Sexual sin must A MERE administrative order terminates all further theological controversies. It overrides the views of the most creative theologian to· that time. In spite of this rigid decree, Sanchez' views were rescued a century later by a Redemptorist under the name of St. Alphonsus Liguori (+1787). He originated the idea of the authoritative School Manual which was devised as a systematic collection of all forseeable moral problems with a clear and ready-made answer drawn from past teachings of theologians. THE MANUAL offered the advantage of a quick reference and assured almost complete conformity of answers. For each problem there was one sure 1 answer. Alphonsus took careful stock of all traditional teachings and where there was controversy he picked the one solution which ap- peared to him to be the most probable one - known as "probableism." the student the pain of working his way through con- troversial and conflicting views, gave the impression that most moral issues were settled for good and con- veyed the comfortable feeling of being in possession of the full truth. AS A RESULT the student of Catholic morality became uncritical in accepting whatever answers the manual offered. It is to the credit of St. Alphonsus that the progressive views of San- The manual spared

HOWEVER, he did not find any support amongst reputable theologians. In view of the clear con- demnation of fornication in St. Paul's letters, it would seem impossible to hold such a view. With Thomas Sanchez, SJ, (+1610) we witness a new era of thinking in matters of sexuality. His book, The Holy Sacrament of Matrimony published 1602, represented the most extensive piece of research on the issues of sexuality ever undertaken by a moralist.

Augustine had not set any · theological arguments on these issues. In his Summa Theologiae 2a 2a 154, he questions whether simple fornication - he wishes to exclude part- ners bound by marital or religious vows - was a grave sin. liberal view which tries to argue: "Every mortal sin is con- trary to charity. Yet simple fornication ... doing nobody any harm, is not directly against the love of God and our neighbour. So it is not a grave sin." HE NOTES the

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Father Francis Wieser, a theologian on the faculty of the Univ~rsity Jf San Diego, here examines the Church's trailiona positwn unth regard to sex. Thu, is the first of two articles which will explain an earlier reply to a Question regarding pre-marital sex, about which there has been some discussion.

Nearly all carry three credits and meet four or five times a week. The only one unit course is Historic Site Methods, 8 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, at Rancho in An- thropology, English, History, Music Philosophy, Political Scienc~, Psychology, Religious Studies. Further inforrna lion may be obtained from USD, Alcala Park, phone 291-6480, ext. 346. Los Coches. • Other courses are

temporary of Augustine, voiced similar warnings: "No act of sexuality can be sinless...and the man who loves his wife too ardently is like an adulterer." Through Augustine the Church inherited an ex- tremely biased and pessimistic attitude toward sexuality.

Whenever a progressive theologian dares to take a fresh look at some of the traditional answers to questions about sex which were taken for granted, we tend to react by quoting the traditional doctrine of the Church "past and present." the Magisterium can supply, and always has supplied, official and indisputable answers to all questions of sexual behavior. Historical evidence should impell us to make much more modest claims. A brief !!)Ok at past history shows what the traditional teachings within the Church were in matters of sex. ST. AUGUSTINE (+430) wrote extensively about sexual issues in his three books The Good of Marriage. The Adulterous Marriages and in Marriage and Con- cupiscence. Undoubtedly, he may be regarded as the theologian who was most influential in setting the pa"tterns of Catholic morality of sex. He did not address himself explici Uy to the problem of sex prior to marriage since it was a foregone conclusion for him that sex had no place apart from marriage. He even found it extremely difficult to justify sex within marriage itself. irrational, animal-like, shameful and tainted with evil con- cupiscence. An ideal Christian couple should abstain from any sexual relations. to weakness, he felt, they must restrict sexual intercourse to periods of fertility because the necessity of procreation alone could justify the ex- perience of the sensual pleasures of sex. He said: "I know nothing that casts down the manly soul more from the heights than the caresses of women and the touch of their bodies." The impression is then created that HE VIEWED sex as something Should they yield

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they make demands and set standards which are sim- plistic and outright naive: Lastly, traditional teaching regarding sexuality has developed in the course of history and taken many turns. IT WOULD take a great deal of intellectual pride on our part to assert that our manuals are beyond change and possess the full truth. An enormvus amount of new information is con- stantly being made available by science, psychology and sociology concerning the problems of sexual behavior. ·some centuries were rich with creative theo- logical thinking, others were totally barren. We should be thankful to God that Vatican II has produced a spirit of new and inquisitive thinking. (In the second article Fa- ther Wieser will examine the r.pecific problem of pre-mari- tal sex, and the mood of the post-Vatican II theologian. - Ed. )

ANSWER PLEASE! will not oe published this week to make room for this special article based on the reply and repercus- sions to a previous Answer. The regular feature will appear next week.

inaccurate to believe that traditional teaching has always adhered to true and unchangable standards. What the Church in our day officially endorsll5 was severely chastised during previous centuries. For example, to restrict intercourse to infertile periods by use of the rhythm method, or to celebrate sexual intercourse as sacred, virtuous and an expression of Christian love. (Cf. Vatican II) . THIRDLY, one ought to be cautious· not to identify the teachings in our traditional manuals with the tradition of Christian doctrine. The manuals offer a mixed bag of advice, especially in matters of sexuality. In some respects they reflect genuine Christian doctrine. In other respects

chez found their way into the manual to the benefit of married couples. However, Alphonsus had to accept the Jesuit ruling of 1612. Thus the Catholic manuals of morality in vogue during the last 200 years, have little to say about sexual problems outside of marriage. THEY OFFER one single standard for all problems: "All directly voluntary sexual pleasure is mortally sinful outside of matrimony. This is even true if the pleasure be ever so brief and 1 insignificant" (Jone,Hand- bood of Moral Theology, 1963). Historical research of past traditional teaching in the Church yields several im- portant insights. to abandon the myth that the traditional teaching has, at all times, offered the best insights in solving sexual questions. For many centuries the Church has held on to inadequate, biased, and even mistaken views on sexuality. the theologians would, over a period of a thousand years, wrestle with the question whether married couples had a right to free sexual expression, goes to show how far removed from reality their thinking was. SECONDLY, it would be FIRSTLY, nistorical evidence forces us The fact that

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"I hate to tell you this, John, but our daughter volunteered us to give a sex education talk to Sister Miriam's sixth-grade class tomorrow."

traditional positions sup- ported for centuries by theologians like Augustine and Thomas, and he voiced the following "radical and liberal" views: Married couples have a right to free sexual ex- pressions at any time, and sexual intercour: e is vir- tuous. Incomplete sexual expressions like kissing or embracing were not im- moral for them but serve to foster affection. But Sanchez did not dare to state that intercourse itself could be an expression of love.It would have been too shocking a statement for his time. departed radically from tradition in the sense that sex could be, apart from the function .of procreation, something good, virtuous and desirable · for a Christian. HIS VIEWS

simple fornication is a grave sin and he shows that it does harm another person - the child which could be born from the intercourse. "The measure in which charity is offended decides the gravity of the sexual abuse, and not its physical pleasure or shamefulness." IN THIS, St. Thomas offers a remarkable con- temporary way of thinking. In a sense, Thomas did not complete the question. He did not discuss the possibility that if a child were excluded, whether it would still be a grave sin. He died suddenly before the completion of his treatise on sexuality. This very question was raised by a later theologian, Le Maistre (+1481), who concluded that fornication was not a grave sin if no child would be involved ..

writings almost down to our own age. ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (+ 1274) raised many new questions about sexual problems, and especially outside of marriage. As regards sexual relations within marriage, he en- dorsed the rigoristic views of Augustine.

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From Dec. 6 To Dec. 13

will be joined by the school's chorale and or- chestra for a concert at noon Tuesday and 8 p.m. Friday in the school's Apolliad Theater. BOB RALSTON - The organist will play the pipe organ at the Fox Theater, 720 B St., at 9:30 a.m. today. sponsored by the San Diego Thea- ter Organ Group. SAN DIEGO CHORAL CLUB - The ensemble will present its annual Christmas concert at 8: 15 p.m. Saturday in the auditorium of Hor• ace Mann Junior High School, 4345 54th St. ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL-The church at 2705 Fifth Ave., will present its choirs and orches- tra in works by Francis Poulenc, Dietrich Bux- tehude and Ralph Vaughn Williams at 4 p.m. today. DIANE THOMAS - The alto, accompanie by organist Richard Slater, will perform at 8 p.m. today in St. Andrew's by the Sea F.plscopal Church, 1050 Thomas Ave. BERTRAM TURETZKY-The UCSD music In- structor will present a concert titled "Music for Contrabassist and Friends" at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in the school's Matthews Campus Recital Hall. UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO - The school's ' orchestra and chorus, conducted by He11ry Ko- lar, will perform at 8: 15 p.m. next Sunday in the Camino Hall Theater there. WESTMINSTER CHOIR-The ensemble of the First Presbyterian Church, 320 Date St., will perform at 7:30 p.m. today, conducted by Har- old Lutz and accompanied by organist Vir- ginia Cox. YOUNG PEOPLE'S CON- CERT - ?.oltan Rozsnyai and SYMPHONY CONCERT-?.ol- tan Rozsnyai will conduct the San Diego Symphony in Christ- mas concerts at 8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the Civic Theater.

Theodore Brunson will play unaccompanied works and pianist John Blythe will also perform in a dual faculty recital at 8: 15 p.m. Friday in the San Diego State Recital Hall. CHRISTMAS CHORAL CONCERT-The South- western College music ·department will present the annual performance at 4 p.m. today in the school's Mayan Hall, Chula Vista. VIRGINIA COX - The organist will perform on a program with a small chorus plus violinist Karen Dirks and cellist Douglas Dirks at 7:30 p.m. next Sunday in the First Presbyterian Church, 320 Date Sl. 'L'El'l'FANCE DU CHRIST - The Hector Ber- lioz oratorio plus Bel)jamin Britten's "Cere- mony of the Carols" will be performed at 3 p.m. next Sunday by the Escondido Oratorio So- ciety in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Escondido. JAMES HANSEN - The organist will play for a silent Laurel and Hardy film and conclude with a seasonal concert at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Southland Mnsic Center, 3459 Imperial Ave. LA JOLLA CIVIC ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS - Thomas Nee will conduct the organizations in concerts at 3 and 8 p.m. today in Sherwood Hall, La Jolla, featuring cellist Marjorie Hart, soprano Marilyn Rue, tenor John McClellan and baritone Thomas Simmons. MADRIGAL CONCERT - The San Diego State Madrigal Singers, conducted by Dr. John Shel- don, will perform at 3:15 p.m. next Sunday in the school's Recital Hall and at 7:30 p.m. Sat- urday in the San Carlos United Methodist Church, 7876 Cowles Mountain Road. 'THE MESSIAH' - Georg Frederick Handel's oratorio will be performed by soloists, orches- tra and 500-voice chorus in San Diego State's Peterson Gymnasium at 3: 15 and 8: 15 p.m. next Sunday, with Howard Hill and David Loomis sharing the conducting duties. MONTEZUMA STRING QUARTET - The San Diego State ensemble will perform at 8:15 p.m. today in the school's Recital Hall. 'NIGHT OF WONDER' - The First Presby- terian Church of Oceanside will present solo- ists, chorus and organ in a performance of the new Cami! Van Hulse cantata at 8 p.m. next Sunday. OLYMPIC SINGERS-The Mesa College group

Dance

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SAN DIEGO CMC YOUTH BALLET - The company will be joined by the Civic Youth Chorale for a program at 3 p.m. today in the auditorium of Madison High School, 4833 Doli- va Drive, and at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the San The San Diego Civic Youth Ballet will present the work for children at 7:30 p.m. next Sunday in Russ Auditorium. Opera UNIVERSITY OF CALIFOR."llA, SAN DIEGO -The school's music department will present Gustav Holst's "Savitri" and Roger Reynolds' "Thi! Emperor of Ice Cream" at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Matthews Campus Roicilal Hall. Pop RAY CHARLF.s-The renowned singer-pianist will pay his annual visit to the city at S p.m. today in the San Diego State Peterson Gym. nasiwn. ) SPIRIT - The rock group will head a show also including Country Joe MacDonald 1111

Drama 'ALI BABA' -

'THE MAGIC TOYSHOP' - Ginger Cody's sea- sonal play for children \1~11 be presented in Acton Quarter, 480 Elm St., at 2 p.m. today , Saturday and next Sunday. 'A PHOENIX TOO FREQUE!\T' - The Chris- topher Fry play will be presented at noon Tues- day in room C-101 of San Diego Mesa College.

The play for children will be presented by the Southeast Community Theater at 8 p.m. Friday, Sat- urday and Dec. 19 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 20 in the auditorium of Lincoln High School, 150 S. 49th St.

'PURLIE VICTORIOUS'-The Ossie Davis play about how it was in the Old South will be presented by the Mar-Val-J Repertory Company at 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and next Sunday in the San Diego State Music Auditorium.

'CAROUSEL' - The Rodgers and Hammer- stein musical comedy Y.ill be presented in the San Diego State Dramatic Arts Theater at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. 'COME BLOW YOUR HORN' - Neil Simon's first comedy will be presented by the De Anza Players at 8: 15 p.m. Saturday anq next Sunday in the Borrego Springs Elementary School, Borrego Springs. 'A CRY OF PLAYERS' -The William Gibson play about William Shakespeare's early days will be presented by Grossmont College at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday in the Stage- house Theater. ' 'HARVEY' - The Mary Chase comedy about Elwood P. Dowd and his invisible rabbit will be performed in the Old Globe Theater, Balboa Park, at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and Sundays; at 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Satur- days, and at 2 p.m. today, next Sunday and Dec. 20, ending Dec. 20. 'IN THE MA'ITER OF J. ROBERT OPPEN- HEIMER' - Heinar Kipphardt's dramatization · of an Atomic Energy Commission hearing over a security clearance for the late physicist will be presented in the Old Globe Theater's Cas- suis Carter Center Stage at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and Sundays and at 8: 30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 20. 'KINGDOM OF EARTH' -+ The Tennessee Wil- liams drama, restored to its original title after ill ing on Broadway as "The Seven Descents of Myrtle," will be performed in the Mission Playhouse, Old Town. at 8:30 p.m. Saturday for lhe last ti!je before January.

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'SEE HOW THEY RUN' - Philip King comedy will be presented by the Coronado Playhouse at 8:30 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday. 'STAR SPANGLED GIRL' - The San Dieguito Little Theater will perform the Neil Simon comedy at 8:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sat- urdays in the San Diego County Fairgrounds Little Theater ending Dec. 19. 'A STREETCAR NAMED DESffiE' -The Ten- nesee Williams drama will play in the Mission Playhouse, Old Town, at 8:30 p.m. Friday for the last time before January. 'TARTUFFE' - Moliere's comedy will be pre- sented in the Jewish Community Center, ~079 54th St., at 8 p.m. today, Wednesday and next Sunday. Music MIRIAM ABRAMOWITSCH - The soprano will perform at 8 p.m. Friday in the Fine Arts Lec- ture Hall of Grossmont College. El Cajon, ac- companied by pianist Timothy Brown. CONRAD BRUDERER - The San Diego State music instructor will present a lecture ·demon- stration on the piano music of Charles Ives at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Central Public Li- brary, 820 E St. BRL"l\"SON - BLYTHE CONCERT - Violinist ----~~-

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Robert Emile will conduct the San Diego Symphony in three concerts for young persons at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the Civic Theater.

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