November 19, 2015
Column #1,786
"Create In Me A Clean Heart"
Psalm 51:10
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a major pastoral letter on the
harm of pornography, "Create in Me a Clean Heart," saying, "We have seen the
corrosive damage caused by pornography -- children whose innocence is stolen,
men and women who feel great guilt and shame for viewing pornography...spouses
who feel betrayed and traumatized."
Pornography’s impact has grown exponentially due to the Internet. It is a public
health crisis. Their statement is addressed to parents, clergy, parish leaders,
educators, mental health professionals and those who can help protect children
from pornography and heal the men, women and young people who have been harmed
by its use.
They open with Scripture and God’s "beautiful plan for human love (that) was
inscribed on the human heart and in the human body," in Genesis: "Male and
female he created them." Since each of us "is created in the image of God, we
are given the call -- the vocation -- of love and communion. Every human being is
made for a relationship of love with God and with others," the bishops write.
They assert that our bodies "tell us that we are 'for’ another...with a person of
the opposite sex if called to marriage." Therefore, "Our bodies should be
treated with the greatest respect." And "chastity is essential to love," whether
one is single or married.
By contrast, pornography "perverts the conjugal act, the intimate giving of
spouses to each other," causing "grave injury to the dignity of its
participants" who become "an object of base pleasure and illicit profit for
others."
Sexual intimacy and its pleasure "are gifts from God and should remain personal
and private, enjoyed within the sacred bond of marriage alone. Such intimacy
should not be put on display or be watched by any other person."
Jesus taught that "sexual immorality is not only a matter of one’s actions but
also a matter of one’s heart:" "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not
commit adultery.’ But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has
already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Mt 5:27-28).
They note that pornography "hurts the user by potentially diminishing his or her
capacity for healthy human intimacy," a distortion of human sexuality that is "contrary to authentic love" and can turn into an addiction that isolates people
due to "shame and self-reproach," and can break down "trust between family
members."
Indeed one study reports that 52% of divorces involve porn addiction by one
spouse. It also sparks adultery, domestic violence, the abuse of children in
child pornography and sex trafficking.
Exposure to pornography "can be traumatic for children and youth. Seeing it
steals their innocence and gives them a distorted image of sexuality," the
bishops asserted, making them "more vulnerable to being sexually abused," to be
"more accepting of premarital sex, to view women as sex objects." They are also
"at increased risk of getting pregnant as a teenager."
However, Pope Francis reminded the Church of its calling to become a "field
hospital" for the wounded. Therefore the bishops "proclaim the truth of the
human person in love, to protect people -- especially children -- from
pornography, and to provide the Lord’s mercy and healing for those wounded by
pornography."
The bishops urged people "to turn away from your sins...Christ is passing by: do
not wait to change your life. Come down, like Zacchaeus, and make amends for the
damage you have done. No sin is too great to forgive, but we exhort you to
repent, convert and put an end to your involvement."
They noted there are support groups and resources to help in the Appendix of
their report. I urge anyone who is addicted to read this uplifting 22-page paper
by going to http://www.usccb.org/cleanheart. Pat Trueman, President of the National
Center on Sexual Exploitation, praised it as "a forceful, pastoral statement on
the harms of pornography."
However, he urged there be a comprehensive training program for all priests,
teachers and youth group leaders, and urged churches to place educational
materials on porn’s harm and on "blocking and accountability software" in the
back of every church, with a list of counselors who treat porn addition.
Three more suggestions: block your computer’s access to porn. Go to Sexaholics
Anonymous meetings that are in all cities. Join Covenant Eyes, which helps
350,000 addicts go straight by selecting an "accountability partner," who gets a
report if you go to any porn sites. Parents can also monitor what their kids are
seeing on i-phones.
Pornography is a plague that can be conquered.
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