The Morality of Mutilation: towards a Revision of the Treatise Gerald Kelly, Sj

IN RECENT years I have heard many moral theologians express the opinion that the treatise on mutilation, as usually given in the manuals, needs extensive revision. Needless to say, a satisfactory revision could hardly be the work of one man. The purpose of the following pages is merely to suggest, for constructive criticism, a number of points that ought to be considered in making the revision. I have found it difficult to arrange these points in a perfectly logical order. I believe, however, that most of the ideas can be conveniently grouped as follows: (1) the doctrinal value and use of papal pronouncements; (2) the main definitions and divisions; (3) other divisions; and (4) the moral principles. A concluding section can be devoted to a discussion of some concrete problems.