Catechism: Talk 53
In Biblical language, scandal signifies a 'stumbling block'. In the Bible the word is used is used figuratively to mean either something that causes people to sin, or something that causes them to lose their faith in Jesus. Reports of the sexual abuse of children by priests has scandalised many believers in such a way that they have left the church because of disillusionment and become sceptical of its ethical teachings in general and those to do with sexuality in particular.
The Catechism then moves on to talk about respect for the human body. In the NT it is referred to as “the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 6:19-20). That being so, Christians have a duty to act accordingly by avoiding two faults, neglecting the legitimate needs of the body, such as sustenance and rest, or becoming obsessed by bodily things like appearance and health.
The Catechism sees the use of hard drugs, too much alcohol, tobacco, or inappropriate use of medication, e.g., tranquilizers, as opposed to the 5th commandment. As we know, not only can they damage the body and mind, they can also result in premature death. As a result of my pastoral experience, I know that addiction to substances is a huge problem in our country and the source of endless misery of different kinds. It should also be said that addiction is the presenting problem, but it is rooted in things such as lack of self-acceptance and the ongoing effects of unresolved and painful traumas often in childhood such as separation anxiety.
Having allowed legitimate scientific, medical, or psychological experiments for good outcomes the Catechism talks about the morality of organ donation both before and after death. They can be done if they are done with the free consent of the person and without harming one’s own life. For example, it is a noble and generous act to be willing to give a kidney to someone who would otherwise die from kidney failure. Organs that can be donated in Ireland are: heart; lungs; liver; pancreas; kidneys. Most organ donations, such as the ones just mentioned, are from people who have died. A person’s organs can be donated after brain stem death or cardiac death. In both of these cases, there is no hope of recovery. If you are 18 or older and living in Ireland, you will be considered a potential organ donor when you die. If you do not want to be an organ donor, you can opt out by adding your name to the opt-out register.
Not surprisingly, the Church sees actions such as kidnapping, hostage taking, terrorism, torture, violence, and direct sterilization as being contrary to the 5th commandment. Direct sterilization is any procedure that induces sterility when no underlying illness or pathology is present. It is a form of contraception and an illicit mutilation of the body. It can involve a woman’s fallopian tubes being snipped, tied or blocked. In men it takes the form of a vasectomy. These activities are directly opposed to Church teaching. The Catholic Church teaches that we are morally obligated to use ordinary means to preserve life, but extraordinary means are optional and may be declined if they are excessively burdensome or disproportionate. Pope Pius XII clarified in 1957 that the Church does not require heroic efforts to preserve life at all costs. The goal is to respect both the sanctity of life and the dignity of the person.
Some Catholics wonder whether cremation is allowed by the Church. It is. As the Catechism says, it is O.K.