One of this Sunday's readings has this passage from Paul (1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20). There were some complaints on Domenico Bettinelli's blog that the translation "Avoid immorality" was not helpful, since (it was thought) the English word "immorality" refers to any kind of immoral behavior, whereas Paul (using the Greek word porneia) is referring to immorality of a sexual kind. The conclusion was reached that the translation was to be held against the NAB translators (the translation that the USA Sunday liturgies currently use), and used as a demonstration that these translators must be providing non-judgmental mush.

The NAB has this as a translation of 1Co 6:18;

NAB Avoid immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the immoral person sins against his own body.

Now, the RSV translates the same verse as:

RSV Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body.

So, the RSV translators would seem to be also providing non-judgmental mush. And since the Catechism uses the RSV translation (sometimes the NRSV), it must also sometimes be providing us non-judgmental mush. (For example, in section 2388 of the Catechism, "immorality" is used for the translation of that Greek word which, it has been claimed, must be translated as sexual immorality.) And some Papal documents also use English translations with that meaning for "immorality" (for example, here), so the accusation that starts aimed at the NAB translators could end up with some unfortunate conclusions.

Are all these translations really non-judgmental mush, or is something else going on?

Well, the Oxford English Dictionary provides this definition of "immorality":

Immoral quality, character, or conduct: violation of moral law; wickedness, viciousness. (Now often used specifically of sexual impurity.)

And Merriam-Webster has this:

the quality or state of being immoral; especially : UNCHASTITY

and the Random House Unabridged has:

… 2. sexual misconduct.

Each of these definitions indicate that the word "immorality" by itself can be used to refer to sexual immorality. If it is claimed that "immorality" is definitely always used to refer to any kind of immorality, then perhaps there has been a shift in meaning of the word (and words can slide around in meaning over time). Looking at the 1919 Catholic Encyclopedia that is available on-line, once can find several usages of "immorality" to refer to sexual immorality. (For example, here and here). So, it was certainly in usage that way in the early part of the 20th century. But one can also find the word being used in the year 2001 to refer to sexual immorality in this document presented by a certain Cardinal Ratzinger (in section 53). So it does not look like a word that has quite gone out of fashion yet, though it may be less in use than it once was.

So, non-judgmental mush is not being fed to us by the NAB translators, the RSV translators, or the Catechism. It is just an English word that is shifting around in meaning a bit. Keeping translations up to date is a problem — someone brought up in the first half of the 20th century might understand well enough that "immorality" referred to sexual immorality. Perhaps someone of lesser age may not. Which of these people a translation should be made for, is not at all clear.

(As a separate issue, one might also very profitably look at what the Greek word porneia is used to refer to. It certainly — and importantly — does not always refer to sexual immorality.)