Margaret Farley’s Ethical Views

Both Michaels, Perry and Scaperlanda, have commented on Sister Margaret Farley’s work in the context of her recent award from the University of Louisville. Dr. Farley is the Gilbert L. Stark Professor of Christian Ethics, emerita at Yale. Like both Michaels, I, too, have read her recent book “Just Love.” I have also read recent articles she has authored on bioethics and medical ethics. Michael P. correctly identifies her work as “dissenting” from the Magisterium. However, I do not share his view that her perspective is compelling. I think that Michael S. is right on target in his critique. One of the announcements about Dr. Farley’s award mentions that she is a Catholic ethicist who grounds her work in “Christian theology and tradition.” It would be more accurate to say that she has abandoned this deposit; moreover, it is a misstatement to identify her as a Catholic ethicist. It is unfortunate that she has abandoned her fidelity to the Church, but this is a choice she has made and which she can, if she is so disposed, correct. But let us be clear, her work does not reflect Catholic thinking, it stands in Stark contrast to it.    RJA sj