text: I can understand why clergy fight so hard on this issue. Conceding to real natural law means that papally-approved natural law assured to be error free would fall. In this case, the natural order would be shredded as well as a concept (no more Catholic relativism). Finally, it would lead to the rethinking of everything sexual from masturbation to pre-marital sex, to continence and celibacy (both) to what they fear most - female ordination and parish elections for deacon administrators and elected bishops. They have finessed Masturbation and turn mostly a blind eye to cohabitation, but unless they start quietly blessing gay marriages (which Catholic hospitals now honor), they are about to eat a big bite of humble pie regarding the state of doctrinal formation. What are all the weak of faith who mistake certainty for trust in God to do?