Embracing Sexuality: Authority and Experience in the Catholic Church

The book explores the changing landscape of human sexuality and relationships, highlighting the lack of change in Roman Catholic teaching since 1968. It invites the Church to reconsider its understanding and appreciation for this vital dimension of human existence, offering three approaches to understanding sexuality and examining critical experiences.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 208 pages
\n Publication date: 01 January 2021
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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Over the past few decades, our understanding and experience of human sexuality have undergone a remarkable transformation. The women's movement, the gay rights movement, and a growing social tolerance for diverse lifestyles have significantly altered the landscape in which we view human sexuality. Cohabitation, experimental relationships, and remarriage after divorce are now practices that scandalize our grandparents but seem normal to our children. However, the mainstream Christian Churches have largely been bystanders in this revolution. Roman Catholic teaching on sexual and marital morality has remained largely unchanged since 1968, when Pope Paul VI issued his encyclical on contraception, Humanae Vitae.

This book aims to initiate a meaningful conversation between the institutional Church and the laity regarding some of the fundamental and concrete issues surrounding human sexuality and relationships. Eleven authors, drawing upon their professional expertise and personal experiences, invite the hierarchy and the entire Church community to reconsider their understanding and appreciation for this vital dimension of human existence.

The first part of the book explores three different approaches to understanding human sexuality, focusing on relationships, spirituality, and our bodily existence. Part two examines three critical but frequently neglected experiences of sexuality: that of women, young persons, and the homosexual community. Part three examines how human sexuality has been evaluated in the eyes of the Christian Churches, and part four considers how the Churches might embrace human sexuality in a manner that speaks to contemporary women and men in the context of their lived experience.

The authors argue that the Church has often been slow to respond to the changing realities of human sexuality, and that this has led to a lack of understanding and compassion for individuals and communities who experience sexual diversity. They suggest that the Church can play a vital role in promoting healthy and respectful relationships, and in providing support and guidance to those who struggle with sexual issues.

The book also highlights the importance of dialogue and collaboration between the Church and other religious traditions, as well as secular organizations, in addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with human sexuality. The authors believe that a holistic and inclusive approach to sexuality can lead to greater understanding, respect, and compassion for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or identity.

In conclusion, this book offers a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about human sexuality and relationships. By exploring the historical, cultural, and theological dimensions of sexuality, the authors provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of this complex and important topic. They challenge the Church to embrace a more inclusive and compassionate approach to sexuality, and to engage in meaningful dialogue with the broader
Over the past few decades, our understanding and experience of human sexuality have undergone a remarkable transformation. The women's movement, the gay rights movement, and a growing social tolerance for diverse lifestyles have significantly altered the landscape in which we view human sexuality. Cohabitation, experimental relationships, and remarriage after divorce are now practices that scandalize our grandparents but seem normal to our children. However, the mainstream Christian Churches have largely been bystanders in this revolution. Roman Catholic teaching on sexual and marital morality has remained largely unchanged since 1968, when Pope Paul VI issued his encyclical on contraception, Humanae Vitae.

This book aims to initiate a meaningful conversation between the institutional Church and the laity regarding some of the fundamental and concrete issues surrounding human sexuality and relationships. Eleven authors, drawing upon their professional expertise and personal experiences, invite the hierarchy. The first part of the book explores three different approaches to understanding human sexuality, focusing on relationships, spirituality, and our bodily existence. Part two examines three critical but frequently neglected experiences of sexuality: that of women, young persons, and the homosexual community. Part three examines how human sexuality has been evaluated in the eyes. In the eyes of the Christian Churches, and part four considers how the Churches might embrace human sexuality in a manner that speaks to contemporary women and men in the context of their lived experience.

The authors argue that the Church has often been slow to respond to the changing realities of human sexuality, and that this has led to a lack of understanding and compassion for individuals and communities who experience sexual diversity. They suggest that the Church can play a vital role. In promoting healthy and respectful relationships, and in providing support and guidance to those who struggle with sexual issues.

The book also highlights the importance of dialogue and collaboration between the Church and other religious traditions, as well as secular organizations, in addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with human sexuality. The authors believe that a holistic and inclusive approach to sexuality can lead to greater understanding, respect, and compassion for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or identity.

In conclusion, this book offers a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about human sexuality and relationships. By exploring the historical, cultural, and theological dimensions of sexuality, the authors provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of this complex and important topic. They challenge the Church to embrace a more inclusive and compassionate approach to sexuality, and to engage in meaningful dialogue with the laity about some of the fundamental and concrete issues involving human sexuality and relationships.

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Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781138706163\n \n