The Culture of Life Africa Blog reported last week on an
interview with Professor Helen Alvaré who
recently addressed the Pontifical Council for
the Laity in Rome
at a seminar for the 25th anniversary
on Pope John Paul II's document on women- Mulieris Dignitatem.
This is a very enlightening interview and well worth
reading.
We have reprinted part of the interview below and the full
interview may be found on the this link.
Obianuju Ekeocha:
Professor Alvaré, You are American, what are some of the detriments and damages
in your country (especially on women and young girls) of this new and emergent
culture that has in fact been described by Pope John II as the "Culture of
Death"?
Professor Helen Alvaré: a primary one, about
which I have written a great deal, is the abrogating of what is essential to
the woman and girl, which is her ability to exercise her gift or capacity for
the human person. This has been expressly denied or at least placed under
suspicion by some versions of feminism which have declared that her freedom
lies in : breaking relations with God, denying the possibility of truth,
avoiding suffering or sacrifice at all costs, and refusing solidarity with
human life, especially the weakest, or any which might claim dependence upon
her. It was promised that walling herself off from human beings and human life,
would bring freedom, but of course it has produced the opposite. Now, when
life, including sexual relations is “all about me,” it turns out it brings no
utopia of relationships, or perfect sex, or family happiness …but loneliness,
convoluted relations, and objectification of herself and others. In particular,
the contraceptive and abortion culture has led to a situation in which sex
outside of marriage or any “commitment” is the norm, and if one woman won’t go
along another will. This is due to the “risk compensation” effect whereby
people believe pregnancy is “insured against” due to contraception and abortion. But, ironically, because
of that effect, greater availability of contraception and abortion has actually
led to MORE not less nonmarital pregnancy, MORE not less sexually transmitted
infection and MORE not less abortion, divorce, cohabitation, and broken relations
The Culture of Life Africa Blog reported last week on an
interview with Professor Helen Alvaré who
recently addressed the Pontifical Council for
the Laity in Rome
at a seminar for the 25th anniversary
on Pope John Paul II's document on women- Mulieris Dignitatem.
