.- The
U.S. bishops have overwhelmingly approved the creation of a statement on
pornography to address the “serious pastoral challenges” and consequences that
it poses on a spiritual, social and personal level.
“Pornography comes in many forms but leaves its
effects on all those exploited by or exposed to it. It is a great temptation
that ravages men, women and children,” Bishop Richard J. Malone, chairman-elect
of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, told
the bishops’ fall assembly Nov. 12.
“The number of men, women and children who have
been harmed by pornography use is not negligible, and we have an opportunity to
offer healing and hope to those who have been wounded.”
The growing awareness of pornography’s “grave”
impact means the bishops have “an opportunity to educate and to shine light on
the mercy and freedom found in Christ,” he said.
Bishop Malone, who heads the Buffalo diocese,
noted that the U.S. bishops have not issued a statement explicitly addressing
pornography. He asked the assembled bishops to approve his committee’s request
to write a statement on the issue to encourage more pastoral attention to
it.
The U.S. bishops approved his request by a vote
of 226 to 5.
Bishop Malone said that pornography poses
“serious pastoral challenges” for clergy and the faithful. Pornography is
widespread and “more accessible than in the past,” affecting people of younger
and younger ages. Fewer people disapprove of it, and its use is increasing among
both men and women.
Pointing to statistics that pornography is “a
significant factor” in nearly 60 percent of divorces, the bishop cautioned that
it is “highly addictive” and capable of altering brain chemistry and causing
harmful social consequences.
The average age of first exposure to pornography
is 10-11 years old, an alarming fact, he said.
“Love resonates in the human heart, because we
were made for it,” Bishop Malone explained. “But we also know that there are
many obstacles to true, lasting love. There are many counterfeit versions of
love that promise much but deliver little.”
“There are many ways in which the body, created
in the image of God as male and female, becomes a place of exploitation and
‘use’ instead of a place of communion and love.”
Bishop Malone’s proposal drew strong support and
suggestions from the floor of the assembly.
In the question period, Bishop David Ricken of
Green Bay, Wis., spoke “very much in favor” of the proposal.
“There are great advantages to the advances in
social media. This is the dark side of all of that,” he said.
He warned that pornography “captures younger and
younger people” and is “destroying marriages and families at a very rapid
rate.”
He praised his diocese’s anti-pornography
addiction initiative Reclaiming Sexual Health, noting that there are many new
resources and ministries on the topic.
Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City said
that his diocese’s Catholic Charities affiliate reports that over 50 percent of
family counseling clients had pornography use as a problem that impaired their
marriages and family life. He suggested that awareness of this issue should be
raised at Sunday Mass, if it can be done through lay witness.
Bishop David Foley, retired head of the Diocese
of Birmingham, Ala., praised the Sacrament of Reconciliation for combating
pornography.
“I have found the power of the Sacrament of
Penance in overcoming pornography is tremendous,” he said.
“It’s true confessors are hearing of this sin
more often, but they are working with their penitents. The regular practice of
confession is an answer, a strong answer, to this problem.”
Archbishop George Niederauer called attention to
the Cincinnati-based Religious Alliance against Pornography, a 30-year-old
organization co-founded by Cardinals Joseph Bernardin and John
O’Connor.
In addition, Bishop James Conley of Lincoln,
Neb., recommended the Covenant Eyes anti-pornography filtering and
accountability computer program.
“I think it is the best out there,” he
said.
Salt Lake City Bishop John Wester noted that the
bishops’ Committee on Communications has been working on anti-pornography
legislation. Bishop Curtis Guillory of Beaumont, Texas, said his diocese
recently held a workshop on the issue for priests. Many of his priests said that
they previously lacked information on pornography.
Another speaker, Bishop Jaime Soto of
Sacramento, asked that the statement highlight social aspects of pornography,
including exploitation of women and children in the U.S. and
abroad.
Bishop Malone said that possible statement
topics include chastity and sexuality; basic information about pornography, its
use and its effects on users and users’ families; the negative effects of
pornography on society; an “authentic vision” of the human person; and “the
mercy, grace of conversion and freedom Christ offers through his Church,
especially through the sacraments and prayer.”
He said the statement could also recommend
“proven practical resources” for pornography users, their loved ones, and
clergy.
Now that the proposal for the statement has been
approved, it must be drafted by bishops working in committee and then presented
to the bishops at a future meeting.
