THE CATHOLIC CHURCH S GENERAL APPROACH TO SEXUALITY AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS Rev. Dr. Tomi Thomas, IMS Director General The Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI)
Introduction: The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: Sexuality, not something simply biological, but concerns the innermost being of the human person as such An integral part of the love, proper and exclusive to spouses, by which a man and woman commit themselves totally to one another until death with complementarity and mutual support Present Discussion focuses on: 1. Catholic Church s General Approach to Sexuality 2. Recent Developments - Open and Positive Pastoral Approach 3. Church & HIV/AIDS 4. Conclusion
CATHOLIC CHURCH S GENERAL APPROACH TO SEXUALITY Pro-life Approach Inviolability of every human life from the moment of conception until death Stand Against the Culture of Death Before Birth & Culture of Death Before Time Whole Person Approach Physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions Committed to and advocating Equity Approach Fundamental rights of the marginalized and vulnerable be protected The right to life entails a right to the means for the proper development of life, including adequate health care.
CHURCH TEACHINGS HUMAN LIFE & SEXUALITY Prohibits abortion, that is, the directly intended termination of pregnancy before viability or the directly intended destruction of a viable foetus, except on unavoidable medical grounds Forbids the making use of human tissue obtained by direct abortions & embryonic stem-cell research - commodification of human life, to be bought and sold. Prenatal diagnosis not permitted when undertaken with the intention of aborting an unborn child
CHURCH TEACHINGS HUMAN LIFE & SEXUALITY (Contd.) Marriage is a covenant & the conjugal love signifies and promotes the mutual self-giving - by their nature ordained toward the begetting and educating of children. Condemns adultery the marital infidelity; fornication, prostitution, incest and all other sexual activities outside the loving and permanent union of one man and one woman in marriage. Sexual abuse perpetrated by adults on children and adolescents - a scandalous harm done to physical and moral integrity of the young - scarred by it all their lives Forbids homosexuality - contrary to the natural law and not proceeding from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity.
CHURCH TEACHINGS HUMAN LIFE & SEXUALITY (Contd.) As part of responsible parenthood, parents may limit the number of their children by natural means. Does not approve contraceptive interventions that either in anticipation of the marital act, or in its accomplishment or in the development of its natural consequences rendering procreation impossible goes against the unitive and procreative meaning. Considers as gravely immoral the donation of sperm or ovum, surrogate uterus Prohibits artificial insemination, for instance, heterologous fertilization Even homologous artificial insemination and fertilization though less reprehensible
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS - OPEN & POSITIVE PASTORAL APPROACH Recent development within the Catholic Church seems to be one of open and positive pastoral approach, caring and compassionate and non-judgemental Instrumentum Laboralis (IL) - essentially a planning paper (a compilation of Catholics responses from around the world) for the incoming synod of bishops worldwide in October 2014, on the pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelization. IL aims to promote the dialogue and development
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS - OPEN & POSITIVE PASTORAL APPROACH (Contd.) Need of sex education in families and educational institutions - offer young people an adequate idea of Christian and emotional maturity to allow them to face even the phenomenon of homosexuality. IL highlights the observations - the fact of "counterwitness" - continuing clergy sexual abuse crisis and the "lavish lifestyle of some among them. Not an exclusive but an open and positive pastoral approach towards persons who are separated, divorced or single parents, etc.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS - OPEN & POSITIVE PASTORAL APPROACH (Contd.) Though the Catechism of the Catholic Church strongly disapproves homosexuality, the same document takes a compassionate and non-judgemental approach (which is also being echoed by Pope Francis),... They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. The same is resonated in Instrumentum Laboralis. Do not turn away same-sex parents who want their children to be baptized but to engage them in their ongoing spiritual development.
CHURCH & HIV/AIDS The Church provides support to millions of people living with HIV around the world her service is recognized by various international bodies like UNAIDS Co-operates closely for the elimination of new HIV infections in children, and keeping their mothers alive, as well as increasing access to antiretroviral medication. The International Bodies like UNAIDS considers the Catholic Church s position on AIDS prevention is controversial that teaches sexual abstinence before marriage, and monogamy inside marriage, are a better means of limiting the spread of the epidemic than is the use of condoms.
CHURCH & HIV/AIDS (Contd.) A shift in approach towards the issue of sexual transmission of the disease (not in its stance on contraception) is being perceived of late. In 2010, in an interview with journalist Peter Seewald regarding condom use, while reaffirming the Church's view on artificial contraception, Pope Benedict XVI stated, reflecting the ground reality, There may be a basis in the case of some individuals, as perhaps when a male prostitute uses a condom, where this can be a first step in the direction of a moralization, a first assumption of responsibility...
In Conclusion The Catholic Church s pro-life approach promotes the value and dignity of every individual as a human being, without any distinction of race, nationality, religion, political opinion or social class, taking a proactive stand for "culture of life" against the culture of death before birth and before time.
In Conclusion (Contd.) Mr. Harsh Vardhan, the Health Minister of the newly elected Govt. under Mr. Narendra Modi in India, stated in an interview: that fidelity was a better AIDS prevention measure than condoms... integrate value education with course content... focus on safe sex as a holistic concept which includes highlighting the role of "fidelity to single partners". The basics of all religions regarding sexual/marital discipline, sexual expression and the issues therewith may be ultimately the same The critical dogmas may not change but the way we handle the human beings affected by these dogmas and the issues they face do change.
In Conclusion (Contd.) The recent shift of approach or emphasis on how she handles her faithful affected by issues of sexuality certainly reflects Catholic Church s open and positive pastoral approach. The Catholic Church along with other faith communities may have to and can play a greater role in deconstructing and eradicating the sexual Taboos that are barriers to communicating, preventing and controlling HIV, and providing care and support to PLHIVS Religions played a not so less important role in creating and perpetuating these taboos in collusion with the dominant culture of the time They can also undo them. The experience proves, the builder is also the best demolisher!
My Heartfelt Thanks To the Organizing Team & All the Participants Of 20 th International AIDS Conference Rev. Dr. Tomi Thomas, IMS Director General - CHAI