Janet Smith IS one of the sharpest knives in the Catholic theological drawer. We've admired her work since she was at U of Dallas. Her commentary and teaching is direct and easily understood; no pettifogging for her!
And yes, she's betting that Amoris Laetitia will undermine and then demolish the teaching of Humanae Vitae.
But that's not all. The "discernment" crowd is philosophically identical to the "evolving Constitution" crowd which has been actively undermining the Rule of Law in the USA.
Anyhow....
...Famed Catholic author Janet Smith, speaking to a group gathered at
The Catholic University of America (CUA), in Washington, DC on April 5,
warned of new challenges to the Church’s teaching against contraception
that will arise in coming years, centered around the concepts of
conscience and discernment.
In particular, theologians who Smith identifies as “discerners” will
focus not on the authority of conscience as it is traditionally
understood, but on a “very different understanding of what the
conscience is. This is what we very much have to catch.”
“In a general sense, the interpreters, the discerners of Amoris Laetitia say that the development in moral theology in Amoris Laetitia
is pastoral, not doctrinal,” said Smith. This is key, because it frees
them to say, “we’re not changing doctrine at all; we’re just changing
how we apply doctrine. We’re not even applying doctrine. We’re just
helping consciences discern.” ...
That "discernment" may well run contrary to the Natural Law; but of course, that's the objective.
...In essence, the discerners are pushing the idea that there are no
absolute moral norms. For them, natural law, “does not include
universal, immutable norms” but instead is dynamic, experiential,
historical, and cultural.” Natural law is “gradually discovered, and
could change if the culture changes.”...
If you've been paying attention over the last 50 years, you'll recognize that 'dynamic, experiential, historical, cultural' language--because it's been used by Federal and State jurists who are actively demolishing the US Constitution. They have found "rights" such as abortion and have un-found rights, such as bearing arms.
Don't just sit there and be surprised.
PRAY!
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1 comment:
Good grief.
You had me at the name Janet Smith.........
Way to go!
Mississippi
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