Jude R. Dougherty, dean of Catholic University of America's School of Philosophy, believes
the Pope's opinions on sex and reproductive rights should serve as a model for non-Catholics as well.
"Through the centuries the Catholic Church has endorsed the highest moral goals discernible to human intelligence. John Paul as leader of that church articulates for all who are willing to listen those time-tested moral principles designed to lead one to self-fulfillment. He does so from two chairs, as it were, from the Chair of Peter as Supreme Pontiff, but also as the former holder of the Chair of Moral Philosophy at the Catholic University of Poland. The principles he enunciates used to be universally recognized throughout the West, if not the globe itself -- principles that called for self-restraint in all aspects of life, but particularly in matters pertaining to sex. Today he is almost alone as a major defender of a once-common morality. A permissive society, aided and abetted by major media, has led to the destruction of the family -- with civic consequences. In spite of his seemingly stern teaching, John Paul's approval ratings in the public opinion polls remain, with Mother Teresa, the highest of world leaders. That may tell us something about the conscience of people who, in spite of questionable and at times self-destructive behavior, recognize moral truth when confronted with it."
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