From: civl097@csc.canterbury.ac.nz
Subject: We'll all burn in hell!
Organization: University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 23:53:14 GMT


----------------From the Christchurch "Press" 10 Oct 1992 --------------

	Catholic Church redefines sin for the '90s
                                          From Patricia Clough in Rome

                                   for the "Independent"


     EVADING TAXES, taking bribes, speculating on prices, and wrecking

the environment are grave sins and those who commit them are in danger

of burning in hell, according to a new Roman Catholic  catechism.   It

is  also sinful to read horoscopes, consult astrologers, and take part

in seances.  It is "blasphemous" to wear amulets or talismen.



     These are some of the teachings contained  in  a  new  "universal

catechism"  ordered  by  the  Pope  for  the world's 960 million Roman

Catholics and  due  to  be  published,  after  translation  into  many

languages, at the end of the year.



     Excerpts, said by Church sources to be accurate, have been leaked

by  an Italian news agency.  It is the Catholic Church's first general

catechism in more  than  80  years  and  was  designed  to  bring  its

teachings, in particular the Ten Commandments, into the context of the

modern world.  Thus, duelling is no longer mentioned:  its  place  has

been taken by, among other things, terrorism.



     Hell still exists and its flames await  those  guilty  of  "grave

sins"--a  term  that  now replaces the older "mortal sins", but at the

same time the Church appears to have softened  its  position  on  sins

prompted by social problems.



     "Grave sins" are  many  and  varied,  from  "exploiting  natural,

mineral, and animal resources" to "influencing public opinions against

moral values", commercial fraud, and producing, distributing or  using

drugs.  Abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and food are considered "excesses".

But endangering others by drunken driving or by driving  too  fast  is

condemned as "grave".



     The political and financial scandals that have rocked Italy  seem

to  have  penetrated the Vatican walls because the seven cardinals, 15

bishops, and other eminent figures who  drew  up  the  catechism  have

included  corrup- tion, speculation, appropriation of public property,

tax-dodging, and waste.  Sexual sins, dealt with by the old  catechism

in seven lines (do not fornicate, do not commit impure acts, beware of

immoral books or plays, preserve the sanctity of the body)  occupy  10

pages in the new one.



     Couples who live together outside marriage  are  in  a  state  of

"grave sin" and are excluded from the sacraments.  Sex within marriage

is a "source of joy and pleasure", but must bring  "fecundity  to  the

marriage".   If done "for good reasons" family planning is allowed but

only  using  "natural"  methods  (i.e.,  not   contraceptives).    The

catechism encourages Catholics to have large families.



     Homosexuals must live in chastity, but should be "treated

with respect, compassion, and  delicacy.   Unjust  discrimination

against them is to be avoided."



     Adultery, divorce, and incest (described as a "regression to  the

animal  state")  are  "offences  against  the  dignity  of  marriage".

Pornography,  masturbation,  fornication,  prostitution,  and   sexual

violence are "offences against chastity".





     But the Church shows some understanding  for  such  sinners:   at

confession  priests should consider "psychological and social factors"

that lead to masturbation, while prostitution is  less  of  a  sin  if

caused  by  "poverty, blackmail or social pressure".  The Church still

regards abortion as murder, but at  the  same  time  it  continues  to

sanction  the  taking  of  life in the death penalty, "just" wars, and

armed revolts under certain circumstances.



     Suicide, formerly considered so serious  that  those  who  killed

themselves  were  refused  a  religious  burial,  now  also meets with

understanding if provoked by  serious  psychological  problems,  grave

suffering, or torture.

------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Brandon Hutchison,University of Canterbury,Christchurch
                  New Zealand

From: kingsley@hpwrce.mayfield.hp.com (Kingsley Morse)
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 15:23:48 GMT
Subject: Re: Please Help
Organization: HP Western Response Center