Comments on: Sex and the University

By: Savannah

Savannah — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:29:00 +0000

Anybody know if I wanted to bookmark this blog do I have to setup a Reddit account first?

By: Alison

Alison — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:28:45 +0000

Julia – As a youth minister and former catechist, let me try to apologize to you on behalf of ALL catechists and Catholic school teachers that have done you a grave injustice by presenting the Church’s teachings on sex and marriage in a very false light. Far from what you have been taught, that the Church says sex is wrong – save it for marriage… the Church actually teaches that sex is SO good and so beautiful and actually is a way that God can reveal Himself and His love for us… and that’s why it should be reserved for a man and woman that have united themselves in Christ through the Sacrament of Marriage.

There is SO many beautiful things to be taught to our generation (I’m 23 and engaged) that we haven’t been taught yet. I think there is much hope though for the generation coming after us… the Church is getting smart and realizing that as society gets louder and louder about sex, that She needs to start speaking up too!

The most beautiful teaching I’ve ever read is Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body (written in the late 70s and early 80s). It’s a little dense though so for a more basic introduction, check out Christopher West’s books or videos (www.christopherwest.com or the book “The Good News about Sex and Marriage”) OR for a more psychological and instructional approach (recommended for married or engaged couples), the book “Holy Sex!” by a Catholic marriage counselor Dr. Gregory Popcak.

By: John

John — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:01:02 +0000

“If the Church condemned [a one night stand] because it is empty and damaging to all involved, I think a lot of young people would listen. It would certainly speak to their experience. Some might argue that this concern for our own dignity as well as our partners is, in fact, at the heart of the Church’s wisdom on sexual matters. If so, at the age of 21 after 17 years of Catholic school, I’ve yet to hear it expressed in that way.”

Perhaps, if I may be frank, you simply haven’t had a good teacher yet…

When it comes to sexuality, the Church’s rules stem from its understanding of the two-fold nature of the conjugal act: each act of intercourse must (1) express unity and love between partners, and (2) remain open to procreation (see Humanae Vitae 12 and the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2363). All sins pertaining to sexuality are wrong because they exclude one or both of these two aspects from the act of sexual intercourse.

A one night stand, for example, is wrong because it excludes the unitive, loving aspect, if not both aspects at once. Furthermore, the words of the Catechism bear a striking resemblance to your own reasoning: “Fornication is … gravely contrary to the dignity of persons and of human sexuality…” (CCC 2353). In fact, most of the Church’s reasoning is similar to yours; see paragraphs 2351-2356 of the Catechism.

It should be clear, then, that these rules aren’t, as you say, “unjustified” after all. It seems to me that the problem lies with your individual teachers, rather than the Magisterium itself. In the future, I would advise that you actually research the Church’s position before accusing it of not teaching well enough.