In Christian morality we strive to be good, to be virtuous. Original sin,
however, with the help of our free will, opens us up to concupiscence or the
capacity to sin and to be evil. The degree to which we become involved in
evil can be defined by the moral principles of ‘cooperation in evil’
highlighted and explained below. In general ‘cooperation in evil’ is broken
into either active or passive formal cooperation, or
active or passive
material cooperation; material cooperation into immediate and mediate; and
mediate material cooperation into proximate and remote! The
highest degree
of cooperation in evil would therefore occur with active formal cooperation
and the lowest with mediate remote passive material cooperation. Obviously
the best course of action would be to have no cooperation in evil!
In the case of the use of embryo derived vaccines, their use is defined as
at least mediate remote passive material cooperation. However, if the entire
population were to not use those same morally tainted vaccines it would
likely result in congenital rubella syndrome-death and illness. We would
then be responsible for at least mediate remote passive material cooperation
in evil; with death and illness as the likely outcome. It might even be
considered mediate remote active material cooperation; cooperation with evil
of a slightly higher degree. The failure to do something, by omission, can
be an ‘active’ process and does not necessarily free one from ‘doing’ evil,
especially if failure to act contributes to the evil. It must be also
mentioned that the idea of doing a ‘lesser evil’ by its own definition
implies that you are still doing evil (evil does not disappear because it is
‘lesser’).
Two other concepts can widen the scope (scandal) or narrow the scope
(duress) of cooperation with evil. In other words, if by having faithful
Christians involved in mediate remote passive material cooperation with
embryo derived vaccines the world came to view that as an approval, scandal
would have happened (bringing others into sin). If, on the other hand, the
parent felt pressured (duress or ‘extrema ratio’) to protect her children
and that of other pregnant women (to avoid congenital rubella syndrome) then
the mediate remote passive material cooperation takes on a less cooperation
in evil nature.
Definition Of The Moral Concept Of Cooperation In Evil (using abortion as an
example):
· Formal Cooperation: Occurs when one cooperates or assents to the immoral
actions or evil intents of another. If one advises or counsels in full
agreement with the actions, even though he does not physically take part he
is still in formal cooperation.
o Acitve: A true supportive act (positive action) of cooperation in a sinful
action. Performing an abortion.
o Passive: Omission of any action (negative action) to thwart an obvious
evil intent and being in full agreement with it. Assisting in an abortion
but not actually doing it.
· Material Cooperation: One cooperates with the immoral action of another
but does not share in his intent.
o Active: A (positive action) supportive act of cooperation in a sinful
action, but not in agreement with it.
o Passive: Omission of any action (negative action) to thwart an obvious
evil intent. Not in agreement with the evil act but not doing anything to
thwart it.
§ Immediate: Doing something that is necessary for the actual performance of
the evil act, directly involved. Assisting at an abortion clinic (secretary)
but not in agreement with its actions. Immediate actions are always
proximate.
§ Mediate: Doing something that is not necessarily needed in the performance
of the evil act, but only assists in its performance, indirectly involved.
Supplying instruments for the abortion clinic.
· Proximate: The nurse who sets up the abortion instruments
· Remote: The janitor who cleans the building