Posted on 01/01/2005 4:14:04 PM PST by Catholic54321
Vatican City, Vatican City, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- An article in a leading Roman Catholic journal signals that the Vatican may join the public health establishment's crusade against cigarette smoking.
The latest edition of the scholarly publication Civilta Cattolica, published by the Jesuits and approved by a top aide to Pope John Paul II, says smokers cannot damage their own health and that of others "without moral responsibility."
The article by Giuseppe de Rosa stops short of calling smoking a sin, but says lighting up is "not neutral either in social or indeed moral terms."
De Rosa's views, and presumably the Vatican's itself, are a change from the previous -- and rather mild -- position of the Roman Catholic church, as summed up in its 1997 catechism: "The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Pius X smoked cigars, even as Pope.
Just short, it appears.
Perhaps the Pope should get in touch with the Mormons. Why stop at cigarettes?
"Perhaps the Pope should get in touch with the Mormons. Why stop at cigarettes?" I dunno, jumping from celibacy to polygamy might mean some culture shock...LOL
In other words, a personal opinion of someone who happens to be Catholic (although you can't be sure with Jesuits) and lives in Italy. Nothing to do with the authoritative teaching of the Catholic Church.
What's discouraging about this position is that progressive types will embrace this wholeheartedly while still advocating abortion, free sexuality, and moral relativism.
Now if the Vatican just teamed up with PETA and went vegan, then they fill those pews!
Since this supposedly came from a Catholic journal, who's to know who speaks for the Catholic church?
"smokers cannot damage their own health and that of others 'without moral responsibility.'"
Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't that "second hand smoke" argument been discredited?
The National Review isn't produced by, or within the goverment or Presidents administration. The Civilta Cattolica, published by the Jesuits, is produced by/within the Catholic church. Are you saying the Jesuits aren't a part of the church?
Indeed it has, Sausage, many times.
However, you will not see those stories in the MSM.
BTW...my Nana died last year, at 102. Smoked for 85 years, then two weeks short of her 103rd birthday, had a massive stroke, lived 4 more days, then passed away.
Now I'm all worried that she's burning in Hell someplace because she lacked "moral responsibility." /sarcasm
Regards,
The Jesuits are no more a part of the "administration" of the Catholic Church than the D.C. Chapter of Free Republic is of the Bush Administration. They're an organization with their own opinions and agenda, which may or may not coincide with official positions of the Holy See, or with Catholic doctrine.
Even if John Paul II himself got on TV and said, "I don't think people should smoke; it's rude, smelly, and unhealthy!" that still wouldn't be anything other than his personal, take-it-or-leave-it opinion.
"may join " are the key words.
A denomination within a demonination.
That's one way of looking at it ... the Jesuits have always had kind of a peculiar status.
Any organization has subgroups which do not represent the organization as a whole. The media tends to present any dopey statement by any Catholic individual or group as being the teaching of the Church, and that's simply inaccurate.
Prove to me it's a sin, using scripture. Till then I'm not buying it, this guy is just another one of those PC types.
If you don't like that I smoke, don't stand near me. I am courteous to try not to stand down wind when I am smoking and stand away from a crowd as do all other smokers I know.
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