Letters

Spirit of Vatican II

Murray Cook

Contents - Feb 2014 - Buy a copy now Editorial: In defence of marriage - Peter Westmore Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel: Pope Francis' challenge - Peter Westmore Victorian Inquiry: First report into clerical sex abuse released - Peter Westmore News: The Church Around the World Pope Francis repeats world peace plea Protecting the family: building the home - Carmen Pavia iWitness 2013 retreat: another young Catholics success story - Br Barry Coldrey Art: Interview with Tommy Canning: art in the service of truth The Holy Spirit: "Lord and Giver of Life" - Anne Lastman The transforming power of Eucharistic Adoration - Fr Joel Wallace Letters: Protecting the unborn - Bob Hogarth Letters: Religious instruction - Mrs Rowan Shann Letters: Spirit of Vatican II - Murray Cook Letters: Religious freedom - Keiron Long Letters: Climate propaganda Books: MANALIVE by G.K. Chesterton - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: THE IMITATION OF CHRIST by Thomas a Kempis - Br Barry Coldrey (reviewer) Books: TO BONEGILLA FROM SOMEWHERE, by Wanda Skowronska - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) Support: Fighting Fund ends on high note! Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflections: Australia Day: A time for thanks and commitment - Cardinal George Pell

I find it sad that the "spirit of Vatican II" still influences minds away from the true teaching of that Council. I refer to the assertion by Dr Frank Mobbs that encyclicals by reigning popes need not be considered binding.

May I suggest that one consults the documents of Vatican II in regard to the significance of encyclicals by the Pope which are not specifically declared infallible. Reference is made to these matters in Lumen Gentium, Chapter III, paragraph 25. I quote, "Religious submission of mind and will must be shown in a special way to the authentic magisterium of the Roman Pontiff, even when he is not speaking ex cathedra." This includes Pope Paul VI's encyclical, Humanae Vitae.

It seems that with the contraceptive mind set, the need for instant gratification is to hold sway in the marriage act. Not only is a man not asked to accept a time of abstinence, he is not expected to be able to do this. Are we so lustful as to not accept our wife's disinclination, in a loving manner? If this is the case, we are not allowing adolescents to become men.

Many married couples find great joy in the practice of Natural Family Planning, and in later years will rejoice in the love of their families in the family of God

MURRAY COOK
Streaky Bay, SA

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 27 No 1 (February 2014), p. 15