Adsum

July 2004

Our Courts and the Question of Obscenity

by Very Rev. Francis J. Connell, C.SS.R., S.T.D., L.L.D., L.J.D.

Question: Since our courts in recent times have been giving decisions along the most liberal lines in regard to the showing of obscene motion pictures, the publishing of salacious books, etc., what guidance should be given by us priests to our people to direct them aright in their conduct both as Catholics and as citizens?

Answer: Every intelligent American citizen, as well as every good Catholic, realizes that the deplorable trend in our land today toward the production and the spread of obscene books, movies, magazines, etc., is a grave menace to the strength and the preservation of our country, as well as a violation of the law of God. Moral decadence leads to the destruction of a nation, as history has proved over and over again; and today there is much moral decadence in America, and it is unquestionably on the increase. The liberal decisions of our courts are not improving the situation, but on the contrary are making the purveyors of filth bolder and more assured in their attacks on the morals of the people of America, especially of the young. The courts claim that there is great difficulty in giving the precise decision of obscenity. Of course, there are many borderline cases, in which even intelligent and upright persons will disagree as to whether a film or a book can be called obscene. But in any event, every sensible individual knows that a book or a film is obscene if it tends to lead many people into sins (or at least the grave danger of sins) against the sixth and ninth commandments. Now there are many motion pictures and novels which undoubtedly have such an effect, and which are available to all the people of our land today, due to the liberality of our laws and court decisions. Much of the juvenile delinquency in America nowadays centers about the abuse of sex; and beyond doubt this is due in great measure to vile books, plays, motion pictures, etc., that are flooding our nation like a torrent of filth — aided by the decisions of our judiciary, in the the name of freedom.

To answer the question directly, I would say that, in the first place, priests should frequently inform their people that the norms of God's law regarding occasions of sin have not been modified by the decisions of our court. On the contrary, just because there is so much immorality around them Catholics must be specially on their guard. For example. Catholics should not purchase or read books that are publicized as sex-laden &8212; or “spicy ” or “frank, ” as these expressions are used today. They must be warned not to be led astray by those Catholics who regard themselves as “liberals” or even “intellectuals ” because they rejoice that the Church's teachings on the Index of Forbidden Books are being rejected and ridiculed in our land today. These persons protest that they may safely read indecent stuff, because they are “mature.” They claim that they read such literature because of its artistic and educational value, because it is so ingenious in its way of portraying human conduct, etc. Many of these persons, if they are honest, would admit that they read such literature because they want a sex-thrill or the satisfaction of prurient curiosity. Briefly, they like to read dirty books because they like to think of dirty things.

The literature prescribed or recommended in Catholic schools and colleges should be fully consonant with Catholic principles. It would be indeed astounding if a teacher of literature in a Catholic institution of learning included in the prescribed literature books forbidden by the Catholic Church because they “narrate exprofesso (openly and purposely) lascivious or obscene things.” Yet, I have heard such a procedure defended on the score that our Catholic college students will not be regarded as learned persons — or “intellectuals” — unless they are familiar with the filthy books that are being published.

Priests must regard it as a serious obligation to try to protect our people from the dangers to purity that are so prevalent in America today, especially in the realm of literature, motion pictures, and television. Above all, priests should warn Catholics not to be afraid to be called “old-fashioned.” Of course the Catholic Church is old-fashioned, because it defends moral principles that were proclaimed almost two thousand years ago. And it will continue to support these principles, whatever may be taught by others, until the end of time.

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