International Theological Commission publishes document on natural law

From today's edition of The Pilot:

Modern men and women may deny the existence of "natural law," but they actually recognize that certain moral values, such as protecting the environment, are universally valid, said members of the International Theological Commission.

The commission members, appointed by the pope and working in an advisory role with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, looked at the traditional Catholic teaching on natural law and modern efforts to identify ethical values common to all people in their document, "In Search of a Universal Ethics: A New Look at Natural Law."

The Vatican published the document in Italian and French in early June.

Questions about what is good and what is bad and whether or not all people can agree on the conclusions "are more urgent than ever given the degree to which people have become aware that they form one global community," the document said.

<snip>

In the document, members of the theological commission briefly reviewed the moral teaching of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, traditional African religions, Islam and the ancient philosophers of Greece and Rome to demonstrate that natural law is not a Catholic invention valid only for Catholics. And it asked leaders of those religions and philosophers to join in an international discussion about ethical values that can be recognized as universally valid and necessary.

The review highlighted the fact that "some types of human behavior are recognized by most cultures as expressions of a certain excellence in the way a person lives and realizes his humanity: acts of courage, patience in the trials and difficulties of life, compassion for the weak, moderation in the use of material goods, a responsible attitude toward the environment (and) dedication to the common good," it said.

"On the other hand, some behaviors are universally recognized as objects of censure: killing, theft, lying, rage, covetousness and greed," they said.

The values are not only traits of holiness, they are attitudes most respectful of human dignity; and the faults are not simply sins, but acts that threaten human life, human dignity and peaceful coexistence, they said.

They also said that marriage between a man and a woman united for life and open to having children is an example of a moral value that is not simply religiously motivated, but coincides with the fact that human beings are either male or female and have a natural urge to procreate.

Read the entire piece.

This December 2008 report in The Tablet has some background information. No word when the document will be available in English. I'm very interested in reading it. The combination of this document and the Pope's soon-to-be-released encyclical on social doctrine should provide plenty of food for thought, especially in light of current events.

A really excellent and informative introduction to natural law is  Fifty Questions on Natural Law: What It Is and Why We Need It (Ignatius Press, 1999), by Dr. Charles E. Rice, who is now Professor Emeritus of Law at Notre Dame.

Related articles from Ignatius Insight:

• Pope Benedict XVI On Natural Law | Fr. James V. Schall, S.J.
• Why the Bewilderment? Benedict XVI on Natural Law | Fr. James V. Schall, S.J.
• Secularity: On Benedict XVI and the Role of Religion in Society | Fr. James V. Schall, S.J.
• What Is Catholic Social Teaching? | Mark Brumley

Comments

[Ed Peters]

Interesting that it's coming out in Italian and French. Not the first two languages I would have thought of for modern natural law studies. English, Spanish, even Polish --not to say Latin--, but Italian and French? Okaaaaay.