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MASTURBATION. Autoerotism may be undergoing re-examination among Catholic scholars as a normal phenomenon of sexual development, but the Vatican rejects any such idea. Again echoing language that it uses throughout, the declaration reaffirms that masturbation "is an intrinsically and seriously disordered act." It lacks the sexual relationship called for by the moral order, one that realizes, in the words of Vatican Council II, "the full sense of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love."
In dealing with sexual acts, the declaration never swerves from traditional natural-law theory, which holds that "immutable laws" written by God are part of human nature. The church has always transmitted these timeless principles, the declaration says, "however much the opinions and morals of the world may have been opposed to them."
The problem today, however, is not only opposition from "the world" but from within the church itself. It will be surprising if the new restatement of sexual rights and wrongs is any more popular —or observed—than Humanae Vitae.
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While the Vatican was anchoring age-old religious views on sex, those who make a religion out of non-religion were decreeing the opposite in the name of freedom. In the current Humanist, a bimonthly magazine published for the American Humanist Association and the Ethical Culture movement, 34 sexologists have unveiled their "New Bill of Sexual Rights and Responsibilities."
The humanists celebrate "responsible" freedom after centuries of "bondage to church or state." Marriage "where viable" is "a cherished human relationship," but "other sexual relationships also are significant." The 34 signers predict a growing acceptance of premarital, homosexual and bisexual relations.
Though prostitution, sadomasochism and fetishism are gently tut-tutted as "limiting," the humanists state that if they are to be discouraged, it should be through education, not laws. Children's genital explorations are considered "learning experiences" that help to integrate a healthy sexuality into the personality. Masturbation is "fully accepted" as "viable mode of satisfaction for many individuals, young and old."
The humanists are unflaggingly optimistic. "We human beings are embarking on a wondrous adventure," they announce. "For the first time we realize that we own our own bodies."So long as "responsibility and mutuality" are respected, "we need to adopt the doctrine that actualizing pleasures are among the highest moral goods." Which is not quite what the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has in mind.