Your Excellencies:
I would like to again call to your attention some advertisements in archdiocesan parish bulletins, which are highly inappropriate.
While it is by no means comprehensive, the attached chart links to 47 archdiocesan parish bulletins, which are readily available on the internet. It notes where a parish is advertising for a pharmacy provider of the notorious Plan B, linking to information provider by the manufacturer of Plan B (In doing this research, I also came across two physician advertisements, where the physicians are openly involved with prohibited services. I also came across an ad for a provider of Reiki.).
Personally, I do not see how providing advertising space to any provider of contraceptives and/or abortifacients can be justified. The advertisements for providers of Plan B strike me as the most egregious.
"we need to recall briefly the principles assumed in classical moral doctrine with regard to the problem of cooperation in evil, a problem which arises every time that a moral agent perceives the existence of a link between his own acts and a morally evil action carried out by others....
"The first fundamental distinction to be made is that between formal and material cooperation. Formal cooperation is carried out when the moral agent cooperates with the immoral action of another person, sharing in the latter's evil intention. On the other hand, when a moral agent cooperates with the immoral action of another person, without sharing in the intention, it is a case of material cooperation....
"Material cooperation can be further divided into categories of immediate -- direct -- and mediate -- indirect -- depending on whether the cooperation is in the execution of the sinful action per se, or whether the agent acts by fulfilling the conditions -- either by providing instruments or products -- which make it possible to commit the immoral act....
"mediate material cooperation can be either proximate or remote.
"Formal cooperation is always morally illicit because it represents a form of direct and intentional participation in the sinful action of another person....
"when immediate material cooperation concerns grave attacks on human life, it is always to be considered illicit, given the precious nature of the value in question....
"passive -- or negative -- cooperation in evil...refers to the omission of an act of denunciation or impediment of a sinful action carried out by another person, insomuch as there was a moral duty to do that which was omitted....
"Obviously, every type of formal passive cooperation is to be considered illicit, but even passive material cooperation should generally be avoided" (Bishop Elio Sgreccia, President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, 7/26/05)
"71. The possibility of scandal must be considered when applying the principles governing cooperation. Cooperation, which in all other respects is morally licit, may need to be refused because of the scandal that might be caused. Scandal can sometimes be avoided by an appropriate explanation of what is in fact being done at the health care facility under Catholic auspices. The diocesan bishop has final responsibility for assessing and addressing issues of scandal, considering not only the circumstances in his local diocese but also the regional and national implications of his decision" (USCCB, Ethical & Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, 5th ed.)
At the very time that we are called to fight against the draconian HHS mandates, inclusion of these ads seems to inadvertently send a message that contraceptives and/or abortifacients are "no big deal."
Sincerely,
