It’s been eight years since Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde
issued
“Bought with a Price,” his pastoral letter on
pornography. In 2006, the bishop called pornography a plague
that “stalks the souls of men, women and children, ravages
the bonds of marriage and victimizes the most innocent among
us.”
Public reaction to the first release was positive, with
hundreds of letters and emails from clergy and individuals
around the country.
“I would like to take a few moments to express my sincere
thanks for the time and thought you put into writing ‘Bought
with a Price,'” wrote a man from Louisiana, who went on to
form a small group of men to study the bishop’s letter.
A Nebraska man wrote: “I am writing to express my immense
gratitude to Bishop Loverde for writing this hard-hitting,
methodical and truly pastoral letter regarding the issue of
pornography.”
But in the years since the letter’s release, studies suggest
that pornography use is as pervasive as ever. According to
Covenant Eyes, an Internet accountability software company,
the porn industry generates $13 billion each year in the
United States.
The updated pastoral
“Since the scourge of pornography not only continues but, in
fact, is intensifying within our culture, I thought it best
to reissue my earlier pastoral letter ‘Bought With A Price,'”
said Bishop Loverde. “However, this reissuance now has
additional resources and takeaways plus a study guide and a
plan of life. All these are designed to assist better anyone
who is struggling and seeking to be freed of this pervasive
enslavement.”
Matt Fradd speaks around the country about the evils of
pornography for Covenant Eyes and was asked to write the
foreword for the new edition.
In a phone interview, Fradd said that the bishop’s letter
“was articulate and compelling. It was an honest look at the
problem.”
When Fradd was 8 years old he happened upon a relative’s
hoard of porn in a shed.
“It’s almost quaint,” he said, comparing his experience with
the availability of online porn now. “The Internet made porn
accessible, anonymous and affordable. Use skyrocketed.”
In his foreword, Fradd writes, “This new edition of ‘Bought
with a Price,’ then, could not have come at a more critical
time.”
“Never before have so many Americans been so tempted to view
pornography,” writes the bishop. “Never before have the
accountability structures – to say nothing of the defenses
which every society must build to defend the precious gift of
her children – been so weak.”
As in the original, the bishop goes on to detail the false
arguments often given for calling pornography harmless as
well as ways for people to curb the use of pornography. A
helpful addition in the new version are takeaways – important
points to remember in a section – and suggestions on how to
act on the takeaway.
For example, “The sacraments, prayer, and authentic
friendship are essential weapons against pornography and all
serious sin,” writes the bishop. He shows readers a way to
make that happen. “Look for a men’s or women’s group, Bible
study, or prayer group to join so that you can be supported
as a disciple and, at the same time, support other
disciples.”
In his conclusion, the bishop writes that we are at a
threshold. We can continue to let pornography spread, or we
can take steps to stop it.
The new version of the pastoral letter includes a color-coded
study guide for use by individuals, parish groups and
parents. The guide suggests questions that can assist groups
in applying the takeaways, practices and tools found in the
letter.
There is also a “plan of life” included that guides people in
achieving a pure life. The suggestions include daily prayer,
weekly Mass, and retreats and pilgrimages. There also are
technical solutions for porn addiction that include
installing filters and a monitoring system on your computer.
Interest beyond the diocese
Interest in curbing the use of pornography is reaching beyond
the Arlington Diocese. The U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops is tackling the problem too. Bethany Meola, assistant
director of the Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life
and Youth, said that the USCCB is working to produce a
statement on pornography with an anticipated release date of
November 2015. She said the work will be similar in tone to
the 1992 pastoral statement “When I Call for Help: A Pastoral
Response to Domestic Violence Against Women.” Meola said the
USCCB is working with the Religious Alliance Against
Pornography of which Bishop Loverde is a member.
Rick Schatz is the former president of Pure Hope, an
ecumenical group whose mission is to “equip individuals,
families and churches to pursue sexual purity and oppose
sexual exploitation.”
Schatz received a review copy of the bishop’s pastoral letter
and was excited about what he read.
“I think it’s absolutely terrific,” he said.
Schatz said it was positive, thorough and had a breadth of
perspective.
St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus and head of the Holy
Family, has a prominent role in “Bought with a Price.”
The bishop asks all men to look to St. Joseph as an example
of purity and to turn to him for strength in the battle
against pornography.
“Bought with a Price” will be distributed at the March 8
Arlington Diocesan Men’s Conference at St. Joseph Church in
Herndon. There will be
a Kindle version available on amazon.com.
