Editorial: ‘Sex’ is not a dirty word

Sydney
20 April 2003

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Editorial: ‘Sex’ is not a dirty word

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Editorial: ‘Sex’ is not a dirty word

Catholics no longer have to be guilty about sex. This was the message US Catholic evangelist Professor Christopher West brought to Sydney (Sexuality ‘a sign of God’s love’, CW 13/4) when he spoke to more than 300 mostly young Catholics.

It may not sound radical, but it is for those Catholics who were brought up to think that ‘sex’ is a dirty word.

The Church played a part here and John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, upon which Prof West’s recent Australia-wide talks were based, implicitly recognises this.

But the Church has matured and the Pope’s Theology is part of this. His biblical reflection on the meaning of human sexuality was developed between 1979 and 1984 and originally delivered in the form of 129 homilies.

It constitutes a sexual revolution with a difference, moving as it does beyond Christian sexual hangups to a recognition that the sexual union is something holy. Prof West put it well when he said that the Bible begins with the marriage of Adam and Eve, and ends with heaven being described as the union of Christ and his Church, the new Adam and Eve. Hence marriage refers to the mystery of salvation.

This is all quite wonderful and liberating, but what does it mean in practical terms?

Well, sex outside marriage is still off-limits, but it comes with a new understanding of why: it is counterfeit love.

Pre-marital sex is not unconditional and extra-marital sex is just betrayal. But sex within marriage? This should be a joy!

It is sad that this new view will come as a novelty to many Catholics. For these, Prof West’s positive message (that married sex is something to be enjoyed not endured) could be truly liberating, if it can be put it into practice.

Of course, the other bugbear in doing so is babies. Prof West’s answer to this is natural family planning, which, he said, is much improved from the days of the Rhythm Method, the so-called “Vatican roulette”.

The newer methods are much more effective, so the model Catholic family does not have to include a dozen kids says Prof West. Good news for those who have to support them.

No Catholic talk on sex would be complete without an urging to youthful chastity; Prof West, a 30-something-with-two-kids (and one on the way), proved refreshingly honest here when he confessed to having been a past consumer of pornography and pre-marital sex. Thumbs up for honesty, Prof. But, oh, for a virginal Catholic poster boy!

Now that would really help promote the chastity message.

A report on Prof West’s talk (CW 13/4) appears on www.catholicweekly.com.au