no explicit teaching

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Oct 05, 2007

In his effort to explain the Connecticut bishops' decision on use of Plan B at Catholic hospitals, Bishop Lori points out-- in boldface, no less:

Indeed, the Church does not teach that it is intrinsically evil to administer Plan B without first giving an ovulation test or that those who do so are committing an abortion.

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So I've been thinking about that, sitting here at the local watering hole, wondering whether I should have another martini.

There are ethicists who would look at my slightly glazed eyes, take note of my tendency to sing short snatches from Chantilly Lace, and conclude that I've had enough. Others, however, would observe that I can still walk a straight line and recite the alphabet backward, and I'm not driving tonight. Tony, my bartender and personal moral theologian, tells me that I "still look OK," and concludes it's a question of prudential judgment.

And y'know what? The Church does not teach that it is intrinsically evil to order a martini at 6:44 on a Tuesday evening at the Elm Street Tavern without first taking a breathalyzer test or that those who do so are guilty of drunkenness. Indeed.

Tony! Do it again, pleashe!