Source:

Ethics of health care: an introductory textbook

 By Benedict M. Ashley, Kevin D. O'Rourke

The Principle of Personalized Sexuality

The gift of sexuality must be used in keeping with the intrinsic human teleology. Personalized sexuality is
based on an understanding of sexuality as one of the basic traits of a person and must be developed in
ways consistent with enhancing human dignity.

The catholic church has an obsession with sexual morality. The reason for the emphasis on sexual
morality in the teaching of the church is because this element of human character leads so often to a
loss of dignity and an inability to pursue the truly fulfilling goals of human life.

Genuine Christian teaching on sexuality is clear enough in the Scriptures. Genesis 1-3 teaches that God
created persons as male and female and blessed their sexuality as a great and good gift. Jesus confirmed
this teaching and perfected it by affirming that men must be as faithful in marriage as women (Mk 10:2-
21; 1Cor 7:10). Nevertheless, Jesus also taught that although sexuality is a great gift, its use in marriage
is only or relative value, which can be freely sacrificed for the sake of higher values, “for the good of the
kingdom.” Thus, for the Christian, the celibate or single life, with its freedom from domestic cares to be
of service to others, can be as personally mature and fulfilling as married life (1Cor 7:25-35)

In the Jewish-Christian tradition, which is based on the first chapters of genesis, human sexuality is
always seen in relation to the family as the basic community into which we are born and educated and
on which the larger community is built. Hence, sexuality is not only a private matter, although it involves
the most intimate of relationships. It also concerns the common good of society and requires its public
support and defense as the basic social institution.

The church’s moral teaching on sex therefore, can be understood primarily as support for the family.
When the church opposes certain kinds of sexual behaviour, it is not because the church is anti=sexual
but rather because the church is convinced on the basis of centuries of experience that such behaviour
undermines the family institution and deprives children of their right to a secure family life. Moreover,
most men and women find their fulfilment in this mututal commintment of their love through their
children. Thus, it is only in the family that the different values of sexuality can be realized in their
profound interconnection.

The principle of personalized sexuality may be stated as follows. The gift of human sexuality must be
used in marriage in keeping with its intrinsic, indivisible, specifically human teleology, it should be a
loving, bodily, pleasurable expression of the complimentary, permanent self giving of a man and woman
to each other, which is open to fruition the perpetuation and expansion of this personal communion
through the family they beget and educate.