I've heard the stories about Sts. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas allowing for prostitution. But, I've never seen a reference for the actual quotes.

Hmmm...
Dr. Eric | 06.29.07 - 2:00 pm | #

Maguire's son converted to Sunni Islam. That says all I need to know about the Prof's theological acuity.
Dale Price | Homepage | 06.29.07 - 2:02 pm | #

Zuh? Breathtaking. I read it and re-read it...I can't believe that was really his argument. And He's a professor? Like, tenured? With that kind of argument? And is he using his status as a 'professional theologian' to make this argument? Well, I guess this goes to show that while philosophy might be the hand-maiden of theology, the reverse isn't the case.
Nate Metzger | 06.29.07 - 2:13 pm | #

What greater evil would occur if we make abortion illegal? We have more women dying of legal abortions than we ever had dying of illegal abortions.

Like Dr. Eric, I'd like a citation for Macguire's claim about Augustine and Aquinas.
Judith M. | 06.29.07 - 2:22 pm | #

Couldn't open the article. I don't get the NYT.
Dave G. | 06.29.07 - 2:31 pm | #

Dr. Eric and Judith M.,
Aquinas indeed did oppose the legal prohibition of prostitution. A simple google search will confirm this easily.
Aquinas understood that while morality informs natural law and natural law informs civil law, these concepts are not and should not be coextensive.
Admittedly, it is probably taking unfair liberties with St. Thomas to use his writings on prostitution to support legalized abortion, but it is certainly understandable and not entirely unreasonable.
In this connection the notion that a good Catholic can acknowledge the grave immorality of abortion but nonetheless believe that its criminalization is not desirable is admittedly very shaky, but only because of certain rather recent and specific teachings coming from Rome. Normally, there is room for prudential judgment when it comes to the proper use of criminal law in order to foster a moral society. The specific teachings on abortion, I believe, proceed from the teaching that the protection of the lives of the weak and innocent is one of the most basic and fundamental purposes of government.
Mike Petrik | 06.29.07 - 4:45 pm | #

Prostitution was legal in many parts of medieval Europe. In France, the town government often owned the brothels. The Reformation and CounterReformation closed these down, part of a general tightening of morality.
Sandra Miesel | 06.29.07 - 5:41 pm | #

I'm a Marquette student, so I know the whole Dan Maguire deal all too well.

But why would he support Guiliani? Maguire says he is anti-war, anti-death penalty and anti-torture--all things Guiliani is for. Is he letting all of those convictions take a backseat to supporting abortion?
Aaron | Homepage | 06.29.07 - 6:35 pm | #

Couldn't open the article. I don't get the NYT.

I usually don't get the NYT, even when I do read their articles
Ed Pie | Homepage | 06.30.07 - 8:50 am | #

Pro-war, pro-torture, pro-death penalty, and pro-abortion. I hereby proclaim Giuliani the Only Seamless Shroud Candidate. And Danny McGuire is his prophet.
Julianne Wiley | 06.30.07 - 2:24 pm | #

Apparently for Danny, keeping baby-killing legal covers a multitude of sins. If a few innocent Arabs (who were almost certainly sexual repressed anyway) have to be tortured stave off the possibility that sexual license might have undesired consequences, so be it. Danny understands what many here do not: that Giuliani is the best candidate to ensure legal abortion in perpetuum.
Anonymous | 06.30.07 - 5:05 pm | #

A true Catholic - and a true American - can no more support abortion and infanticide "rights" than he can support a return of "slaveowners' rights." Under the American system of legal slavery, persons of color were deprived of their most fundamental human rights - the rights to life and to liberty.

Similarly, under the current system of abortion and infanticide on demand, millions of infants have been deprived of their most basic protections under the law, resulting in their gruesome and painful deaths.

A respectable case may be made that prostitution and gambling should be legalized as a matter of good public policy - "necessary evils" preventing worse evils. But in the cases of abortion, infanticide, and slavery there are no more worse evils than the enslavement or the willful killing of the most helpless and the most vulnerable. Nothing can justify tolerance for these dreadful abuses of human rights.

Catholics of integrity, and Americans of integrity and decency are on board with that.

Unfortunately, Mr. Giuliani belongs in neither category.
Marion (Mael Muire) | 06.30.07 - 9:05 pm | #