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HUMAN SEXUALITY an All-Embracing Gift

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HUMAN SEXUALITY an All-Embracing Gift HUMAN SEXUALITY An All-Embracing Gift GERALD D. COLEMAN, SS ALBA •HOUSE Imse NEW•YORK SOCIETY OF ST. PAUL, 2187 VICTORY BLVD., STATEN ISLAND, NY 10314 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Coleman, Gerald D. Human sexuality: an all-embracing gift / Gerald D. Coleman. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references (p. ). ISBN 0-8189-0643-X 1. Sexual ethics — United States. 2. Sex — Religious aspects — Catholic Church, I. Title. HQ32.C65 1992 241'.66 — dc20 92-20661 CIP Nihil Obstat: Rev. Robert W. McElroy, S.T.D., Ph.D. Censor Librorum Imprimatur: ol Most Rev. John R. Quinn, DD Archbishop of San Francisco February 17, 1992 The Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur are official declarations that a book or pamphlet is free of doctrinal or moral error, No implication is contained therein that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions or statements expressed. Produced and designed in the United States of America by the Fathers and Brothers of the Society of St. Paul, 2187 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, New York 10314, as part of their communications apostolate. ISBN: 0-8189-0643-X gi Copyright 1992 by the Society of St. Paul Printing Information: Current Printing - first digit 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Year of Current Printing - first year shown 1995 1996 1997 ti 4. utire)chh 1201 Vty.T 14,N 4 Pa.. rwl 611 4 th--)cottyl,> /ectclever< PerSP4 GM r-)7,fr- In Gratitude I would like to dedicate this book to the many men and women I have had the privilege of working with in pastoral ministry and especially those seminarians who have been a constant challenge and encouragement to me in refining my ideas about human sexuality. I am profoundly grateful to so many people who have shared their own lives with me and have helped me to see the importance of love and friendship: especially my mom, dad and brother; along with Father David Pettingill, Sister Patrick Curran, S.M., Sister Grayce Ross, S.N.J.M., and Mrs. Jeanne Robles; and the Carmelite Nuns of Carmel, California, and in Espoo, Finland, without whose spiritual support and encouragement this work would not have been com- pleted. I am indebted to these extremely fine people in ways too deep to express in words. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION xiii I. PRINCIPLES AND PRESUPPOSITIONS 1. The Gift of Sexuality 1 2. The Moral Life and Jesus 12 3. A Call to Chastity 17 4. Basic Moral Principles 23 A. Natural and Unnatural Sins 23 B. Parvity of Matter 33 Conclusions 39 5. Biblical Perspectives 42 A. God's Word and Calling 42 B. God's Call to Repentance and Salvation 43 C. God's Call: Election and Promise 43 D. God's Calling: Liberation and Covenant 43 E. The People's Repentance and God's Calling of Charismatic Leaders 44 F. God Elects and Rejects Kings 44 G. God Calls Prophets and They Respond 45 H. The Servant of Yahweh 46 I. The Covenant and the Law 46 J. Christ is the New Covenant 46 a. The Old Testament 48 b. The New Testament 51 vii viii HUMAN SEXUALITY II. SEXUALITY AND THE NEED FOR INTEGRATION 55 1. The Meaning of Intimacy 56 2. The Need For Integration 58 3. Gender Assessment 60 A. Gender Identity 60 B. Sexual Orientation 62 C. Sexual Intention 64 Summary 65 4. Aberrant Sexuality 68 A. Transsexualism 71 B. Transvestism 76 C. Pedophilia and Ephebophilia 79 D. Sexual Addiction 89 III. THE QUESTION OF BIRTH REGULATION 93 1. The Context of the Question 93 2. Humanae Vitae 103 A. Difficulties in Reading Humanae Vitae 111 B. How to Understand Humanae Vitae 113 3. Conscience Formation and the Meaning of Dissent 116 4. Absolution 124 5. Contraception and Infallibility 125 6. Conclusion 133 IV. SEXUALITY, PHYSIOLOGY AND BIRTH CONTROL METHODS 135 1. Context of the Question 135 2. The Physiology of Sexual Functions 142 A. Sexual Stimulation 142 B. Sexual Response 146 a. Reactions of the Male Sex Organs 151 b. Reactions of the Female Sex Organs 153 3. Conception, Pregnancy, and Birth 158 A. Conception 158 Table of Contents ix Amniocentesis and Prenatal Diagnosis 165 B. Pregnancy 169 C. Childbirth 177 4. Contraception 178 A. Behavioral Methods 179 (I) Periodic Abstinence 179 (II) Withdrawal 180 B. Barrier and Spermicide Methods 180 (I) The Condom 180 (II) The Diaphragm 181 (III) The Cervical Cap 182 (IV) The Sponge 182 (V) Spermicides 183 (VI) Douching 183 (VII) Condom for Women 184 C. Mechanical and Mechanical-Hormonal Methods 184 D. Hormonal Methods 185 (I) Oral Contraceptives 185 (II) Diethylstilbestrol (DES) 186 (III) RU-486 187 (IV) A Pill for Men 192 E. Implants 192 F. Injectables 192 G. Surgical Methods 193 (I) Tubal Sterilization or Ligation 193 (II) Vasectomy 198 5. Natural Family Planning 199 V. WHAT IS HOMOSEXUALITY? 209 1. Setting the Scene 209 2. Historical Observations 218 Analysis 229 1. Family 230 2. Work 230 X HUMAN SEXUALITY 3. Health and Safety 230 4. Religion 231 5. Community 231 3. The Causes of Homosexuality 232 A. Genetic Factors 233 B. Prenatal/Hormonal Factors 233 C. Adult Postnatal/Hormonal Factors 235 D. Psychological Factors 236 Conclusion 237 4. Homosexuality and Self-Assessment 238 5. Magisterial Teaching 242 6. Homosexuality and Scripture 246 A. Genesis 1.9:1-11 247 B. Leviticus 18:21b-23 and 20:13 249 C. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and 1 Timothy 1:8-11 250 D. Romans 1:22-27 253 Conclusion 254 7. Outing 257 8. Discrimination, Homosexuality and Public Policy 260 Discrimination 262 Church Teachings 264 A. Human Sexuality 264 B. Prejudice and Discrimination 265 Some Points of Interpretation 266 Conclusion 269 VI. NONMARITAL SEXUALITY 271 1. Context of the Question 271 A. Premarital Sex 276 B. Pre-Ceremonial Sex 279 C. Nonmarital Sex 280 D. Extramarital Sex 282 2. Domestic Partnerships 284 3. Statistical Data 286 4. Adolescent Sexuality 290 Table of Contents xi Conclusions 293 VII. MASTURBATION: MORAL EVALUATIONS 301 1. Overview of the Question 301 2. Autoeroticism 303 A. Techniques 303 B. Fantasy 305 C. Prevalence and Frequency 306 D. Masturbation and Health 308 Conclusions 310 3. Magisterial Teaching 312 4. Theological Responses 313 Conclusion 316 5. Pastoral Suggestions 317 6. Celibacy and Masturbation 321 Excursus 323 VIII. RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE 325 1. Instruction on Respect for Human Life in its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation 326 2. Science and the Unborn 331 3. The Abortion Question 345 A. Resolution on Abortion 346 B. A Consistent Ethic of Life 346 C. The Bishops' Position on Abortion and Civil Law 348 D. The Eucharist and A Pro-Choice Position 350 4. Reproductive Technologies 354 A. Current Technology For IVF-ET 356 B. Pregnancy Rates and Outcomes 361 C. GIFT (Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer) and ZIFI (Zygote-Intra-Fallopian Transfer) 361 D. Low Tubal Ovum Transfer (LTOT) 364 E. Artificial Insemination 365 5. Direct Sterilization 366 Xii HUMAN SEXUALITY IX. HIV/AIDS AND THE CHURCH 369 1. Overview 371 2. Origin and Definition 378 3. Facts, Symptoms and Transmission 379 4. Ethical and Religious Questions 385 A. The Use of Prophylactics 385 B. Compassion 390 C. Responsibility 395 5. HIV and Marriage 397 A. Church Law and Marriage 398 B. The Moral Issue 399 6. Social Questions 403 A. Voluntary Testing 403 B. The Handicapped or Disabled Person 403 C. Confidentiality 403 FOOTNOTES 405 INTRODUCTION Judith Viorst writes: Infatuation is when you think that he's as sexy as Robert Redford, as smart as Henry Kissinger, as noble as Ralph Nader, as funny as Woody Allen, and as athletic as Jimmy Connors. Love is when you realize that he's as sexy as Woody Allen, as smart as Jimmy Connors, as funny as Ralph Nader, as athletic as Henry Kissinger and nothing like Robert Redford in any category — but you'll take him anyway.' Viorst' s quip about the love-versus-infatuation question is one that certainly plagues contemporary society. This book roots itself in this problem with the hope of articulating clearly the Church's teachings, presuppositions and viewpoints regarding love and the question of human sexuality. It is necessary to specifically highlight this love-versus-infatu- ation problematic: i.e., in the Church's understanding and teachings, infatuation is not love and love is no mere °biter dictum (an incidental reality). Love is rooted in God and finds its most profound meaning in relationship to the mystery of God. Love is not banal and love is simply not an attitude or action that has no human link or conse- quence. Lisa Sowle Cahill concludes her book Between the Sexes' with these words: Sexual morality is a difficult subject, one that impinges in a most - intimate and often painful way on the consciences, identities, anxieties, and hopes of those who address it. In the churches, as in the wider culture, sexuality has been a source of division, exclusion, xiv HUMAN SEXUALITY suffering, and even hatred... Various theological and moral percep- tions of sexuality still need to be formulated with an appropriate degree of humility as well as honesty... How, for instance, shall the charisma of celibacy be understood in an age in which the end time (eschaton) has receded and it has become dubious that sexual abstinence is a precondition of thoroughgoing religious commit- ment? How shall marriage be understood in a society whose basic organization no longer depends on kinship, and in a world where unlimited procreation would be an evil not a good? How shall the sexual identity of the single adult be understood in a culture in which marital and familial ties no longer
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