Msg Base:  AREA 3  - ASK FATHER (AMDG)
  Msg No: 69.  Fri  9-18-92 11:26  (NO KILL)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Nancy Collingwood
 Subject: sin

NC|Dear Father,
  |   I am a little confused. Are the Pope's Encyclicals one of the sources
  |of determining what the Church has ruled a sin?  Specifically, I am
  |wondering about Humanae Vitale (surely spelled incorrectly) - as I
  |understand it, all forms of artificial birth control are therein 'ruled'
  |improper, not to be used by Catholics. Also, that voluntary sterilizations
  |are likewise deemed improper for a Catholic.
  |   So, if a Catholic uses artificial birth control or has themselves
  |permanently sterilized, they have committed a sin... correct?  I am
  |confused by this only because of conflicting answers by two priests I have
  |discussed this with.  Are the Papal and Magisterium Documents merely
  |suggestions, or are they to be considered 'law'?
  |                                Thank you in advance,
  |                                        Nancy
 
 
Dear Nancy:
 
Actually  your message treats, not of sin alone, but also the subject
of authority to teach in the Church.
 
Documents of the teaching Church, including encyclicals, can contain
infallible teaching and many of them do. Speaking of the teaching
authority of the Church (the Magisterium) as exercised by the Pope
and the Church's bishops in union with the Pope, the Second Vatican
Council says: "Bishops who teach in communion with the Roman
Pontiff are to be revered by all as witnesses of divine and Catholic
truth; the faithful, for their part, are  obliged to submit to their
bishops' decision, made in the name of Christ, in matters of faith
and morals, and to adhere to it with a ready and respectful
allegiance of mind. This loyal submission of the will and intellect
must be given, in a special way  to
the authentic teaching  and authority of the Roman Pontiff, even when
he does not speak EX CATHEDRA, in such wise indeed that his supreme
teaching authority be acknowledged with respect, and that one
sincerely adhere to decisions made by him conformably with his
manifest mind and intention,  which is made known principally either
by the character of the documents in question, or by the frquency
with which a certain  doctrine is proposed, or by the manner in which
the doctrine is formulated"(Lumen Gentium,25).
 
Certainly, papal and  Magisterial documents can contain  not only
authentic teachings but also law. I do not think the official
teachings of the Church, including HUMANAE VITAE, are meant to waste
our time by offering mere "suggestions".
 
But one should read a document, asking: "Is this teaching made in
the name of Christ? Is it addressed to the whole Church? What is the
mind, what are the intentions of the writer here? What's the
character of the document? Is this a teaching frequently proposed?"
In what manner is the teaching proposed?"
 
HUMANAE VITAE, by the way, passes all these tests. It is indeed
authentic Church teaching, to which Catholics must adhere.
 
If this needs more explanation, please ask more questions -- pointed
questions, I hope, and one per message!
 
                                Sincerely in Christ,
 
 
                                        Father Mateo