The Birth Control Discussion

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30823, 7 August 1965, Page 4

The Birth Control Discussion

All Things New. By Anne Biezanek. Pan Books 172 PPContraception and Holiness— A Symposium. Collins 288 pp. No-one could readily ignore the capabilities of a mother of seven children who is a graduate in science and medicine. The witness of Anne Biezanek is as authentic as one could wish for concerning the moral, physical and psychological demands of married life. Unfortunately, she becomes thereby a professor neither of moral theology nor of mystical theology and it is these pretences that make “All Things New” an unsatisfactory contribution' to the birth control discussion. About the only things it shares in common with the companion volume of this review are the theme and date of publication. “Contraception and Holiness” is a far superior contribution, as frank as its title and as least as thoughtful. It has eleven essays and the resulting symposium has the inevitable advantages and shortcomings of this kind of presentation —variety, repetition, comprehensiveness and imbalance. The editor has done a tidy job of selecting contributors and arranging sequence.

Each has a specific insight to offer but the variation in depth and capacity to convey it in non-technical terms is quite amazing. For sheer verbiage, clouding rather than elucidating the issue, J. G. Lawler (“On Discovering the Natural Law”) is a clear winner. And along with J. Pleasants (“The Lessons of Biology”) and R. Reuther (“Birth Control and Sexuality”) he seems to share an aversion for priest-theologians on the assumption that their celibacy makes them unsympathetic and uncomprehending. Not only does this attitude detract from objectivity but it is also oddly at variance with the fact that the person who gave this international study its contemporary impetus is undoubtedly the Rector of Louvain University, Canon Janssens. He posed for study the radical question: were the marriage control systems, rhythm (periodic abstinence) and contraception not essentially but only accidentally different? Constant reference is made to the moral validity of distinction.

No contributor is more lucid and penetrative than E. R. Baltasar (“Contraception and the Philosophy of Process”). He suggests that only within the total scope of a marriage can the place of birth control be understood; the use of sex in marriage is evolutionary. “The natural and final stage (of marriage) is the fully grown family.

This final stage is preservative in character and purpose, rather than procreative. In determining the essence of the sexual act, it is wrong to abstract it from its context and conclude that it is essentially reproductive.” Another outstanding contributor is the Augustinian theologian. Father Gregory Baum ("Can the Church Change Her Position?”) Already he considers there has been a development of doctrine concerning Christian marriage. This involves two principles: the principle of continuity which expresses the abiding concern of the Roman Catholic Church for the fruitfulness of marriage lest it be eroded by selfishness; and the principle of progress which reflects an ever deepening understanding of the very nature of married life. Both principles, he considers. have already found expression in the gradual

acceptance by the Church of the place of family planning under the heading of Responsible Parenthood as a positive value in marriage. In the same way, he regards the sanction of the rhythm method as a definite contribution to the dilemma of family planning in modern society. On this evidence he predicts there is basis for some extension of marital morality which would remain in accord with the Church’s role of defining Christian marriage standards. While this book is neither the first nor last word on so momentous a question, it is an intelligent contribution. It could well be that some of the 60 members of the special papal commission (dealing with this very matter) could have read it. The commission includes doctors, theologians, demographers, economists, statisticians and married couples from every continent.

Intensely concerned about the issues involved. Pope Paul has convened this commission on several occasions over the last two years. Perhaps some further guidance for members of the Roman Catholic Church is not far distant.

This book could have been better balanced had there been other attitudes outlined by people just as articulate who consider that there are other, and perhaps better, solutions. With everyone speaking in the one direction, “Contraception and Holiness” lacks the characteristic which has recently become the darling of the schools—dialogue. Family planning is only one of many marital problems, as married couples and marriage guidance counsellors know only too well. For the sake of perspective, it could be salutary for the readers and the authors of this book to keep that in mind.