WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON THIS?

COMPLEMENTARITY OF
SEXES
147. Woman is the complement of man, as
man is the complement of woman: man
and woman complete each other
mutually, not only from a physical and
psychological point of view, but also
ontologically.
(COMPENDIUM OF THE SOCIAL DOCTRINE OF
THE CHURCH)
ON MALE AND FEMALE…
ACCORDING TO THE COMPENDIUM OF THE SOCIAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH

• (Cscd) 146. “Male” and “female” differentiate two individuals of equal dignity, which does not
however reflect a static equality, because the specificity of the female is different from the
specificity of the male, and this difference in equality is enriching and indispensable for the
harmony of life in society: “the condition that will assure the rightful presence of woman in the
church and in society is a more penetrating and accurate consideration of the anthropological
foundation for masculinity and femininity with the intent of clarifying woman's personal identity
in relation to man, that is, a diversity yet mutual complementarily, not only as it concerns roles
to be held and functions to be performed, but also, and more deeply, as it concerns her make-up
and meaning as a person”[287].
SEXUALITY IS…
• Complementarity of sexes
• Innate bodily desire for the ‘other’
• Because we are body and soul, this union should surpass of those of animals. In other words
‘united in love’ not just in physical urged
• Mirror god's love, which has certain characteristics: it is free, total, faithful and fruitful.
ON SEX AND GENDER
ACCORDING TO THE CONGREGATION FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION “MALE AND FEMALE, HE CREATED THEM” TOWARDS A PATH OF DIALOGUE ON THE QUESTION OF GENDER THEORY IN EDUCATION:

• Gender theory – 2… “denies the difference and reciprocity in nature of a man and a woman and
envisages a society without sexual differences, thereby eliminating the anthropological basis
of the family. This ideology leads to educational programmes and legislative enactments that
promote a personal identity and emotional intimacy radically separated from the biological
difference between male and female. Consequently, human identity becomes the choice of the
individual, one which can also change over time”.
CHRISTIAN ANTHROPOLOGY
• 4. It sees sexuality as a fundamental component of one’s personhood.
• 31. One’s identity as a human person comes to authentic maturity to the extent that our own
mode of being, whether as male or female, is not simply the result of biological or genetic
factors, but of multiple elements having to do with temperament, family history, culture,
experience, education, human person becomes himself only with the other. The ‘I’ becomes
itself only from the ‘thou’ and from the ‘you’.
• 34. Hence, as an anthropological refutation of attempts to negate the male-female duality of
human nature, from which the family is generated. The denial of this duality not only erases the
vision of human beings as the fruit of an act of creation but creates the idea of the human
person as a sort of abstraction who “chooses for himself what his nature is to be.
CHRISTIAN ANTHROPOLOGY
• 35. Seen from this perspective, education on sexuality and
affectivity must involve each person in a process of learning “with
perseverance and consistency, the meaning of his or her body” in
the full original truth of masculinity and femininity. It means
“learning to accept our body, to care for it and to respect its fullest
meaning…
POINTS OF AGREEMENT…
• 15. … Educational programmes on this area often share a laudable desire to combat all
expressions of unjust discrimination, a requirement that can be shared by all sides.
• 16. Another position held in common is the need to educate children and young people to
respect every person in their particularity and difference, so that no one should suffer bullying,
violence, insults or unjust discrimination based on their specific characteristics (such as
special needs, race, religion, sexual tendencies, etc.). Essentially, this involves educating for
active and responsible citizenship, which is marked by the ability to welcome all legitimate
expressions of human personhood with respect.
POINTS OF AGREEMENT…

• 17. A further positive development in anthropological understanding also present in writing on

gender has centred on the values of femininity.
• 18. Women have a unique understanding of reality. They possess a capacity to endure adversity
and “to keep life going even in extreme situations” and hold on “tenaciously to the future”.
PATH OF DIALOGUE
•LISTENING
•REASONING
•PROPOSING
ACCORDING TO THE CATECHISM…
ON CHASTITY AND HOMOSEXUALITY

• 2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual
tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered,
constitutes for must of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect,
compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard
should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives
and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the
difficulties they may encounter from their condition.
ACCORDING TO THE CATECHISM…
ON CHASTITY AND HOMOSEXUALITY

• 2357 homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who

experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same
sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures.
Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on sacred
scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,140 tradition has
always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."141 they are
contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not
proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no
circumstances can they be approved.
ACCORDING TO THE CATECHISM…
ON CHASTITY AND HOMOSEXUALITY

• 2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of selfmastery

that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested
friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and
resolutely approach Christian perfection.