Vermeersch, Arthur, S.J.

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The Linacre QuarterlyVolume 6 | Number 4 Article 4October 1938Excerpts from an Article by Rev. ArthurVermeersch, S.J.Arthur Vermeersch S.J.Follow this and additional works at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/lnqRecommended CitationVermeersch, Arthur S.J. (1938) "Excerpts from an Article by Rev. Arthur Vermeersch, S.J.," The Linacre Quarterly: Vol. 6 : No. 4 , Article4.Available at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/lnq/vol6/iss4/4THE LINAORE QUARTERLY. Excerpts from an Article by Rev. Arthur Vermeersch, S.J. 1. THE USE OF MARRIAGE RE-STRICTED TO THE STERILE DAYS can in no way be placed on equal footing with the neo-malthusian abuse. For, by that abuse, the in-tercourse itself is vitiated because it is deprived of its natural ten-dency and positive impediment is placed in the way of its natural fulfillment. The restricted use, on the other hand, is in accordance with nature. Wherefore the con-demnation of the Holy Father in his Encyclical "Casti Connubii" hits indeed the neo-malthusian usage, while in no way does it touch the use of marriage re-stricted to the sterile period. These are the words of the Pope, "Any use whatsoever of matri-mony exercised in such a way that the act is deliberately frustrated in it"s natural power to generate life is an offense against the law of God and of nature, and those who indulge in such are branded with the guilt of a grave sin." (Official translation as found in the Cath. Mind, XXIX, No. 2, Jan. 22,1931, p. 38. Note: In the translation, "deliberately" is cho-sen as the English equivalent of the Latin "de industria hominum." "By the agency of men" is a more exact rendering.) Nor should any-one say that the restricted use partakes of the spirit of neo-malthusianism. For it can be jus-tified by many, and even · the no-blest, motives. (Note, e.g., self-denial as an act of mortification.) 2. As LONG AS THE CARNAL UNION with a woman who is cer-tainly sterile v. gr. on account of the menopause or existing preg-nancy, is permitted: and all per-mit it, so long can no argument be found which will demonstrate that the use of matrimony, restricted to the sterile period, is per ae sin-fuL For, at the time when ferti-liiation is possible, there is no in-tercourse. Of what power then may an act be deprived when the act itself does not exist? And, at the sterile period, there is indeed intercourse but no effect, not on account of an impediment placed by man but due to the law of na-ture herself. For; God has or-dained that the coitus on certain days should be void of fruit. Still, the natural tendency of the carnal act towards procreation is in no way impaired, since the act is per-formed as perfectly as it can pos-sibly be done at that time. 3. Is THERE NOT A POSITIVE OB-LIGATION THAT MARRIED PEOPLE SHOULD STRIVE TO BEGET CHIL-DREN? ANs. The command, "Increase and multiply," affects the entire human race in general but not, per se, the individual married couple; at least, not . today when the human race has been suffi-ciently propagated. Note, too, this lesson of experi-ence. Use of marriage during the restricted period gradually begets in the heart of the m~rried couple a desire for children. 4. BuT, IS IT ALLOWED TO IN· [ 86 1 THE LINAORE QUARTERLY UULGE THE CARNAL ACT SO THAT THE PRIMARY PURPOSE BE AVOIDED? ANs. If the primary were the only purpose of marriage, then such indulgence would not be al-lowed, but there are also secon-dary objectives. BuT THE PROPER ORDER AMONG THE PURPOSES IS DISTURBED SINCE THE PRIMARY PURPOSE IS DELIBER-ATELY REJECTED AND ONLY SECON-DARY OBJECTIVES ARE INTENDED. ANs. The due order among the purposes of marriage is never dis-turbed as long as the couple per-forms the copula in the natural way. Thus the intercourse always retains its natural tendency to-wards procreation, thereby safe-guarding the purpose of the act (finis operis). OBJECT. THEY PERFORM THE ACT IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE PUR· POSE OF tTHE. ACT (FINIS OPERIS) BE NOT ATTAINED. ANs. They perform the act un-der such conditions that accord-ing to the decree of God the pri-mary purpose will not be satisfied: to that I agree. But, they do not do the act in order that the pur-pose may not be attained. This alone is true, that the coitus is not enjoyed precisely that it may positively satisfy the principal purpose. To. that realization they do not help along as much as they can. But, from what source could they be bound to cooperate in as far as they were able to the at-tainment ·of this principal pur-pose? This they would be obliged to do if they would have a positive obligation of procreation. 5. THE GENERATIVE FACULTY HAS BEEN GIVEN TO MAN that by means of the carnal act, nature, operating as the principal cause, may effect conceptions whereby the human race may be preserved. But the deliberate indulgence of the copula on sterile days only hinders nature from using her procreative facilities. Therefore such conduct is an impediment to the orderly sequence in nature. ANs. We deny the assertion. Man does not hinder, he merely permits the natural flow of events as ordained by God. From what authority can you prove that a man must give by a personal ac-tion that particular efficacy to an act which has been done lawfully? And remember, marriage is per-mitted with a person who is cer-tainly sterile. (Note: This subtle method of reasoning has been proposed by the Rev. Fr. Master Albert C. Doodkorte, O.P.; cfr, his treatise in the R. K. Artsenhlad, July, 1935, pp. 197-205, after the ex-cellent article of the Rev. Doctor, Prof. van de Loo, pp. 187-197. To bolster his position Fr. Dood-korte adduces several examples which are not to the point, v. gr. the use of the apparatus of mas-tication and deglutition without the power of assimilation; the man who brings stones and mor-tar when the mason is absent, but who brings . nothing when the workman is on the job. Such ac-tions · are indeed simply useless ; while, in the case of the restricted [ 86 ] THE LINAORE QUARTERLY use, we always have the utility of the secondary purposes of matri-mony.) OBJECT. IN WHAT WAY IS THE SUBORDINATION OF THE SECONDARY PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE TO THE PRI· MARY SAFEGUARDED IF THE USE IS PERMITTED ONLY ON STERILE DAYS? ANs. This subordination is pre-served in as far as the carnal act is done in accordance with the law of nature. Carnal intercourse, correctly_ indulged, tends to pro-creation. If that does not result, it is not due to the couple copulat-ing, but it is due to the order or-dained by God, which decrees that all days are not fertile . It is never permitted to pervert the order of nature. But when the act is performed in such a way that it is per se able to cause gen-eration, then, in the entire proc-ess, ·due respect is had for the pri-mary purpose. Nothing more is required. Any act against nature would pervert the natural order; it would be contrary to the pri-mary purpose of matrimony. 6. THOSE WHO RESTRICT THE USE OF MARRIAGE TO THE STERILE PERIODS, AT THE SAME TIME WISH NOT TO USE IT AT THE FERTJ.LE PE-RIOD. That determination is con-trary to the natural order. For, it is repugnant both to the nature and the kind of the procreative faculty that an intercourse should be had which cannot be of use to the principal purpose (thus Rev. Fr. Doodkorte, O.P.). ANs. Passing over the fint statement, we deny the existence of any such opposition to the nat-ural order. For, it is in no way repugnant to the nature and kind of the procreative faculty that an intercourse should take place which, by the decree of nature her-self, will not attain the principal purpose of matrimony, but which will be exceedingly useful for its secondary objectives. An argu-ment is still desired which will prove the existence of an obliga-tion to perform the conjugal act at a fertile period, after it has been indulged at a sterile period. Moreover, the objection would prove too much. How then could we permit a union with a sterile person? 7. THE WILL OF MAN, THE CREATURE, MUST BE IN HARMONY WITH THE WILL OF GoD AND NA-TURE. Now, SINCE NATURE TENDS TO PROCREATION, THE WILL WHICH P URPOSEJ,Y AVOIDS PROCREATION IS NOT IN HARMONY WITH NATURE. ANs. I grant that the crea-ture's will must be in harmony with the divine, in as far as it must observe the order decreed by God. But, I deny that the will of the creature in its act must al-ways be motivated by the same purpose as the will of God. It is in harmony with the will of God, in as far as it does not indulge in the intercourse against nature. 8. IN T!IESE DISCUSSIONS THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF MATRIMONY IS NEGLECTED TOO MUCH: FOR TaAT CAN DEMAND A FERTILE INTER-COURSE . ANs. The objection would be true if the entire field of the duties [ 87 ) THE LINAORE QUARTERLY of spouses were under discussion. A single question was proposed to us, namely, whether the use of marriage on sterile days only was to l;le branded with the stigma of .a moral deordination. In the same way, one who proves that a cer-tain method of acquiring property is not against justice, does not, by that very fact, demonstrate that the property is possessed in accor-dance with all divine precepts, v. gr. concerning the social obliga-tions of owners. 9. Regarding the matter in hand, we do not approve Pvcry argument brought forth to spread the Ogino-Knau!? method. For this method cannot be separated from the entire set of laws which gov-ern matrimony in accordance with .the divine plan. The circumstances of society may change to such a degree that public necessity due lo an acci-dental cause may demand fertile marriages. In that case, there would be a grave obligation to provide such marriages on account of the circumstances. At the present time, those are tainted with a certain selfishness and egotism who wish to partake of the delights of marriage but who do not wish to share in the burdens ·and the inconveniences whi.ch are per se connected with it. Therein we see a venial sin, unless they have cause for excuse. In vain does the Rev. Fr. Lavaux, O.P., professor of the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, try td prove that they are guilty of a mortal sin. According to this learned man such conduct" ca'TI!Ttot be harmo11r ized with the primary purpose of marriage: indeed, it is rejected. WE ANSWER. We deny that the primary purpose of marriage is .positively rejected. The positive attempt to attain that purpose is merely omitted. But, from what source might an obligation of pos:. itively striving to fulfill the pri-mary aim of matrimony arise? It is sufficient if nothing is done con-trary to that purpose. A RESTRICTION OF RIG~TS BY AN ANTENUPTIAL AGREEMENT . WOULD RENDER THE MARRIAGE NULL. THEREFORE, WHEN SUCH AN AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO DUR-ING THE MARRIAGE IT MUST BE A GRAVE SIN. ANs. Any agreement by which one party would attempt to de-prive the other party of the right of using marriage would indeed be gravely sinful. That agreement woulO even not be binding. But, all abstinence from the use of mar-riage, even though it be perpetual, does not include such an agree-ment. Indeed, the couple is bound under grave obligation to be ready to fulfill their duties faithfully if, perchance, a child should be con-ceived from their union. 10. These works are worthy of high recommendation: "Les lois du mariage chretien, nouv. edi-tion, Museum Lessianum, by Canon Dermine ; by the same au-thor, "A propos de l'onanisme conjugal," . Collationes Tor.na-censes t. XXIX, 1924; R. D. Arendt's "De genuina ratione im-[ 88 1 - THE LINACRE QUARTERLY pedimenti impotentiae," Ephem-erides theologicae Lovanienses, 1932, pp. 28-69 and 442-450; R. D. van de Loo, "Over periodieke Onthouding," R. K. Artsenblud, pp. 186-197; Thesis ad Lauream Theologiae, presented on June 13, 193.'5 by the R. D. Hoogcn: De Sensu Matrimonii (over den zin van het huwelijk) Noviomagi (Nijmegen). CoNCLUSION These remarks, we think, arc in accordance with the principles which we have taught and are faithful to ecclesiastical tradition. Still, since the doctrine is quite I"e-cent, we expressly state (hat wt: are entirely submissive t.o ecclesi-astical authority. It is indeed con-ducive to a happier state, both of society and of the individual, that men should entrust themselves rather to God, the author of na-ture, and to His most benign Providence than to their own pas-. sions. Let men make duty the goal even of their earthly life and not indulgence and pleasure, if they would wish to attain to happiness. Fleeing crafty and ignoble means of seeking the momentary and fleeting delights of the baser or even basest types, they store their hearts with a nobler satis-faction by obedience to the heav-enly Father, who is at the same time the most p erfect and the most happy. It is our sincere wish that our readers should draw from our words a more determined will to strive for holiness, purity and happiness with untainted morals. ARTHUR VERMEERSCH, S.J. Contraceptionists Want Posta.l L,aws Changed Just as we 'have fanatic prohi- mailabl~: under this section." Th,e bitionists, so we have rabid birth A. M. A. has distinctly stated that controllers. Their energy is be- there is no existing law to prevent yond all understanding. Particu- a physician giving to a patient larly vicious is the action of the any advice which he thinks proper. Section on Nervous and Mental If the requested change in the law Diseases at the last session of the should be accomplished, the word American Medical Association. would immediately go forth that These neurologists are led by ar- contraception had been endorsed dent Sangerites and are attempt- by Congress. Whilst it is true ing to have the Association en- .that some minor officials have fa-dorse their demand for Congres- vored birth control, the record of sional action to amend the postal t he National Government is c::]ean. laws to read: "Standard medical LIN ACRE; maintains that non-. and scientific journals and re- Catholic physicians on the attend-prints therefrom and standard . ing staffs of Catholic hospitals medical works which contain in- should, in honor, refuse to join i n formation regarding the preven- . the propaganda for the spread of tion of conception are not non- contraception. · r 89 1 

Excerpts from an Article by  Rev. Arthur Vermeersch, S.J.

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Excerpts from an Article by Rev. Arthur Vermeersch, S.J.

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