September 12, 2003
Letter to the Editor
Catholic Courier
1136 Buffalo Road
Rochester, NY 14624
Dear Editor,
Sr. Patricia Schoelles' column "Sin reflects a state of
life, not an act" (9/4/03) expresses a view that is not in
conformity with Catholic moral teaching. Sr. Schoelles believes
that "Sin is less about individual pieces of behavior,
individual acts, as it is a matter of 'being', or a condition
of the whole person." This is a rehash of the false theory of
"Fundamental Option" that decried Catholic morality as
being "too act-oriented". This theory has raised havoc in
modern religious education and especially with regard to the
area of sexuality, and has therefore been specifically censured
by the Church as undermining its traditional doctrine of mortal
sin.
The fact is that it is not a fundamental orientation of a
person's entire life but one's free choices expressed in grave
acts against the moral law of God and the teachings of the
Church which determines our basic response to God, our very
moral identity, and our eternal destiny. This "Fundamental
Option" theory which held that "individual actions [against the
moral law of God] are not sufficient to constitute mortal sin"
was reprobated in the Church's "Declaration on Certain
Problems of Sexual Ethics" - no. 10 (1975). It was also
repudiated in Pope John Paul II's "On Reconciliation and
Penance" (1984) wherein the Pope noted:
"Care will have to be taken not to reduce mortal sin to an act
of 'fundamental option' as is commonly said today - against
God, intending thereby an explicit and formal contempt for God
and neighbor. For mortal sin exists also when a person
knowingly and willingly, for whatever reason, chooses something
gravely disordered... [One's] fundamental orientation can be
radically changed by individual acts." (no. 17)
If the "Fundamental Option" theory is indeed being
favored in the moral theology given in the diocese, it should
be a matter of concern as leading to the loss of the sense of
sin and the deadening of consciences that Pope John Paul II has
repeatedly deplored.
Sincerely yours,
— James Likoudis,
P.O.Box 852,
Montour Falls, NY 14865
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