Absolutes in Moral Theology? ed. by Charles Curran (review)

548 BOOK REVIEWS Absolutes in Moral Theology? Edited by CHARLES CURRAN. Washington, D. C.: Corpus Books, 1968. Pp. 320. $6.95. A renewal of moral theology has been called for for years. Books and essays and studies of all colors and kinds abound on the subject. Long before the Second Vatican Council theologians had been at pains to revitalize the moral teaching of Christianity. Since the Council of aggiornamento cries for a renewal of moral teaching have become even louder, and writers on the matter, whether lay or clerical, have become more vociferous . One of the most recent contributions toward a solution, in fact towards a radical solution, of the problem is this collection of essays edited by Charles Curran. Last year a similar attempt was made in Germany by Prof. J. Griindel in his very fine and penetrating study, Wandelbares und Unwandelbares in der Moraltheologie, which came out in the well-known Patmos paperbacks series. The scope of this present volume is somewhat more restricted than the work of Griindel. The editor is careful to point out the exact limits of the problem discussed by the various contributors when he tells us in his introduction that they" are addressing themselves to a comparatively minor, although still important question-the existence of negative, absolute norms of morality." (p. 16) Worried by the unbending intransigence of the Church's moral teaching up till now, a group of young ethicians decided to examine the question from every angle and perhaps push forward towards a new and up-dated solution to the problems that trouble and at times even torture the minds of many church members. Is it true to say that a lie is always sinful and bad in itself? Is it true that masturbation is always and in every case an abuse, a disruption of order, a disordered action, sinful? Is the practice of contraception through artificial means always and in every case evil? Is adultery always a sin or may it not at times be even demanded by Christian love and charity? In a word, it is a question of the absolute and universal binding character of the six negative commandments of the Decalogue as interpreted and applied down the centuries in and through the magisterium of the Church. Approaching the question from many different angles the contributors are of the opinion that, in view of the changed and changing situation of mankind, one may no longer maintain that negative moral norms have an absolute and universal binding force. Thus, the direct killing of the innocent is normally sinful, but in abnormal and extr~J,ordinary circumstances as, for instance, in the case of incurable illness, when the dying person is prepared for death but may be doomed to lingering on for months in great pain and under heavy sedation, it is seriously suggested that the positive termination of this suffering must be envisaged. It is suggested, somewhat euphemistically one may be allowed to think, that the doctor may "positively assist and accelerate the process of dying." (p. 259) It BOOK REVIEWS 549 is also maintained that, in order to save the life of the mother, the child in her womb may legitimately and logically be considered as an aggressor, albeit innocent, against whom the mother has the right to defend herself, just as " in the case of a completely insane attacker who is killed by a person in an act of self-defence." (p. 193) In such a case, it is argued, it is from the moral viewpoint completely in order to terminate pregnancy. In the same way masturbation, adultery, fornication or suicide are no longer to be regarded as always and in every case disordered and sinful (pMsim). Artificial birth-control, which must be considered in the context of either the fifth (preservation of and reverence for the mystery of human life) or sixth (mutual masturbation) commandment, is, it is maintained, another obvious case where no absolute moral prohibitions can apply. With regard to marriage Christ said categorically and absolutely: "what God has united, man must not divide" (Mt 19: 6; also Mk 10: 9). The character of this prohibition is relativized by maintaining that marriage is not...