Sydney
14 July 2002
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School defies terrorism
Pope ‘force for freedom and good’
Vinnies reaches out: a new generation
Abuse allegations ‘devastating’
Caritas renews call for help as southern Africa faces food crisis
Jason scores with ‘no sex before marriage’
‘Return to the scapular’ call for feast day
Medjugorje visionary calls off visit
‘Boundless plains’ to share with refugees? - Spirituality in Pub
Health care ‘not a commodity’
Fr Pat goes back to St Pat’s for jubilee Mass
Queensland search for men to teach
St Vincent’s clocks up 1000
IVF baby farming banned - Govt ‘no’ to sale of eggs
Witchcraft move under fire
Editorial: Tangled web
Letters: Catholicism and the Royal Family
Conversation: Never say never - always hope - Larri Hayhurst, nurse educator
Reflections: Justice: what it means to me
Earthcare - a call to ‘expand our vision’
Opinion: Where young and old share the joy!
Comfort zone
Embryos used to find ‘morning after’ pill
Stem-cell research: Warning of embryo use in human tests
Stem-cell research: Legislation provides for ‘destruction of embryos’
Stem-cell research: ‘Key principle’ at stake
Stem-cell research: Risks to egg and sperm
Resurrection and ‘last things’ in Catechism series
Sing? Yes! Sing-along syndrome? No!
Inspirations: Joseph, 8, gives up toys for Cebu kids
Jason scores with ‘no sex before marriage’
By Damir Govorcin
Rugby league international Jason Stevens (pictured) felt some trepidation when he publicly declared he would abstain from sex until he was married.
But he has never regretted his decision.
In a world of lucrative salaries, fast cars and beautiful women, the temptations that confront high profile players can be hard to resist.
And, says Stevens, it is easy to go down the “wrong path”.
That’s what he did, he says, and, as a result, his relationships were without substance and love.
So Stevens turned to God to help steer his life in the right direction.
As part of that process he decided to write a book, entitled Worth the Wait, expressing his views on why virginity should remain sacred before marriage.
Stevens, now 29, says it’s been seven years since he last had sex.
He’s not complaining.
But, considering the culture of Rugby League, his decision to go public was gutsy.
He braced himself for the expected backlash among his peers, but to his surprise he was applauded for his stance not only in the football community but in the wider society too.
“All the relationships I had in the past left me feeling frustrated and discontented,” he says.
“Sex is a big part of a relationship, but I was abusing it.
“It led to a false sense of intimacy.
“God wants us to fall in love and be in a relationship, but he has set us some boundaries.”
The response to Stevens’ book has been overwhelming.
He spends up to three hours a week responding to hundreds of e-mails and letters from kids all over Australia.
The book gives readers a number of reasons - The Gift of a Lifetime; Emotional Hurt; Better Relationships; Trust; Your Wedding Day; No Diseases and No Regret - why people shouldn’t have sex before marriage.
On and off the field, Stevens is regarded as a role model and it’s a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly.
“Christ is the greatest role model, but I have realised that I must be a good role model for kids as well,” said Stevens.
“I have opened myself up in the book and people who write to me feel they can trust me with their thoughts and feelings.
“It’s an honour and a privilege that these kids come to me for advice and direction in their lives.”
Stevens says the temptation to have sex is always there.
But the past seven years has taught him to be patient and to wait for that special person.
“There’s temptation at every turn and believe me it’s not easy saying ‘no’,” he says.
“I have had girls knock on my door in the middle of the night … I think you can get the picture.
“You simply have to make good choices and think beyond Saturday night.
“If I’m looking for a partner to be faithful, then I need to be faithful.”
Stevens keeps himself actively involved in his church and has spent time working with Fr Chris Riley in his Youth off the Streets program, which he describes as a “wonderful experience” that has kept him well grounded.
“When you see kids homeless and struggling with life it makes sure you don’t get a big head,” he says.
“There are people at church on all sorts of incomes, so it makes me realise what a fortunate life I have.”