Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 149.  Fri 10-04-91 17:06
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Jim Cox
 Subject: Perpetual Virginity of Mary

³ First of all what I wrote concerning american society.  My point was that
³ most people in today's society do not understand the doctrine of the
³ perpetual virginity of Mary because, in my opinion, of the prevaling views
³ on sex.  Do you not agree that part of the duty of being a priest is to
³ interpret doctrine for "this generation"?
³ Second, if revelation ended with the death of the last apostle, then you
³ must not understand the Gospels as a part of revelation or you do not
³ agree with Church teaching on the late composition of the "schools" of the
³ apostles followers, ie, the Gospels.
 
Dear Jim,
 
With respect to sexual morality, the Greco-Roman world in which the
Gospel was first preached makes "the current American society" look
like a Sunday-school picnic.  But the Gospel was preached then in its
integrity.  St. Paul told his Corinthians:  "We preach Christ
crucified:  a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles....
When I came to you, brothers ... I resolved to know nothing while I
was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1st Cor. 1:23,
2:1-2).
 
You are too pessimistic about our society.  So was the prophet Elijah
too pessimistic about his society when he complained to the Lord,
"Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am
the only one left, and they are trying to kill me."  And God answered
him, "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed
the knee to Baal" (Romans 11:3-4; 1st Kings 19:10, 14).  The Holy
Spirit is active in America today, and He seeks human help (for that
is His way).  We can help Him renew the face of the earth by stirring
up our hope and enkindling the fire of prayer and penance in our
hearts.  In this work of conversion and renewal, Our Lady is of
supreme importance.  Her perpetual virginity should be, can be, and
is a beacon and an inspiration to us.
 
Christian doctrine is the responsibility of every Christian, not just
the clergy.  Doctrine must be proclaimed boldly:  "Preach the Word;
be insistent--in season and OUT OF SEASON; correct, rebuke, and
encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.  For the time
will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to
suit their own desires they will gather around them a great number of
teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear....  But you,
keep your head in all situations...." (2nd Tim 4:2-5).
 
I must reassure you about a few things:  1) the perpetual virginity
of Mary is a dogma of the Catholic faith, solemnly defined (Lateran
Council A.D. 649);
 
2) the four Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are
part of Divine Revelation (Council of Trent, session IV);
 
3) Revelation constituting the object of Catholic Faith, was
completed with the Apostles (Pius X, Decree "Lamentabili", no. 21;
Vatican II, Constitution on Divine Revelation);
 
4) There is as yet no official Church teaching on the date of
composition of any part of Scripture.
 
                                  Father Mateo
 
[Sysop Note:  I must intervene at this point to clarify that this
conference is not the place for a debate.  Father Mateo is here to
answer questions related to Catholic doctrine only.  Please feel free
to use the conference at any time for your questions about Catholic
teaching.]