By Plinio Correa de Oliveira; from his book "In Defense of Catholic Action"
A total camaraderie levels sexes, ages, and social conditions in
an equality presented as the realization of Christian fraternity.
Scripture warns us that “the imagination and thought of man's
heart are prone to evil from his youth."3
Yet, oblivious of the effects of original sin and diabolical temptations alike, they despise and mock many of the barriers that Christian tradition established between the sexes in society.
Among these barriers, some are designed not so much to protect
the innocence of young ladies as their reputation. As these barriers in Brazil are very lively, they constitute a precious
protection for the integrity of domestic life.
Besides, they expressly conform to what Saint Paul says when he instructs us to avoid evil and even "from all appearance of evil refrain yourselves."4
These people, however, under the deceitful pretext that the
infraction of these customs is not intrinsically immoral, not only
tolerate but recommend that members of Catholic Action put them aside.
Let us give an example: Everyone knows that, in theory, it is
possible for a young lady to go out at night completely by herself
with a group of young men who are not her relatives without
thereby falling into sin. But in a country like Brazil, in which
this dangerous habit has not been introduced, everyone knows how much society stands to gain by repudiating such an imprudent practice.
Nevertheless, these people not only permit but advise
such conduct in Catholic Action.
No one is unmindful of the multiple dangers that dances present.
Dances, however, are not only tolerated but recommended; not only recommended but imposed. Spiritual retreats during carnival are considered a desertion, because a Catholic Action member must do apostolate amidst the pagan celebrations of the carnival.
Some claim that going to doubtful or scandalous places, taking
"the Christ" there, would do apostolate.
Vaccinated against sin through the marvelous effects of the
liturgy and of Catholic Action's mandate, other members would
claim that, like salamanders, they could remain inside a raging
fire without being burned.
Everything that reminds them of feminine delicacy irritates them
since it accentuates the difference between the sexes. They fight
against wearing a veil in church, for example. They find no fault
in women wearing men's pants or smoking.
Although the Church established a prudent distinction between
the masculine and feminine branches of Catholic Action, some souls almost deny this distinction in practice as they want a complete intermingling of both in their respective activities, leisure time, and so on.
Everything that speaks of a direct and up front combat against indecent fashions, bad books, bad company, and bad
shows is often passed over in the deepest silence.
It is no wonder, therefore, that education in purity is frequently done in a rash way, soaked in morbid sentimentalism and
paganizing ideas full of dangerous concessions to modern customs.
It would seem that so many and deplorable liberties are
"privileges" inherent to Catholic Action. The old methods of
mortification and flight from near occasions of sin were certainly
very apt for old associations where one can really be severe and
demanding. Catholic Action, however, supposedly represents a
liberation from all this.
These precautions were like crutches on which the structural,
juridical, organic and vital insufficiency of the old associations
was supported. Catholic Action could and should do without all
this.5
In spite of everything, however, we must emphasize that the
promoters of such errors are very frequently persons of exemplary personal conduct and modesty in their dress. Because of this, far from serving the cause of good principles, they, on the contrary, further facilitate the spread of evil by giving these doctrines a disinterested and purely speculative character.
No comments:
Post a Comment