In a recent address at his general audience in the Vatican, Pope Francis spoke about the significance of sexual pleasure and its relation to spirituality. The Pope stated that sexual pleasure is “a gift from God” that should be approached with patience and discipline. He also expressed concerns about the dangers of pornography, warning that it can lead to addiction and satisfaction without genuine relationship.
During his address, the Pope discussed the detrimental effects of lust on relationships between people. He acknowledged that the prevalence of toxic relationships is evident in the daily news and questioned how many initially positive relationships turn sour due to lust. This emphasis on the destructive nature of lust aligns with the Pope’s ongoing series of sermons on vices and virtues.
These remarks from Pope Francis come in the wake of criticism faced by the newly appointed head of doctrine, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández. The Cardinal faced backlash for a book he wrote and published in the late 1990s titled “Mystical Passion: Spirituality and Sensuality.” The now out-of-print book delved into the topic of human sexuality, including detailed descriptions of male and female orgasms. Cardinal Fernández defended the book, stating that he wrote it when he was still young and would not do so now.
Conservative commentators have condemned the book as “perverse” and argued that it raises concerns about Cardinal Fernández’s fitness for his role as the prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. This controversy is not the first time both Pope Francis and Cardinal Fernández have faced criticism from conservative members of the Catholic community. Last year, Cardinal Fernández introduced guidelines allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, which was approved by Pope Francis. This decision drew strong opposition from Cardinal Gerhard Müller and other prelates worldwide.
Cardinal Müller, who previously served as the head of doctrine under Pope Benedict XVI, criticized the Vatican’s document, stating that blessing a homosexual union would be sacrilegious and blasphemous. American conservatives, who have been vocal in their opposition to Pope Francis’s plans for reforming the Catholic Church, also expressed their disapproval, further escalating tensions within the Church.
The controversy surrounding Cardinal Fernández’s book and his stance on same-sex relationships has strained relations between conservative and progressive factions within the Catholic community. The Pope’s eviction of outspoken critic Cardinal Raymond Burke from his Vatican apartment and revocation of his salary have further amplified these tensions.
While Pope Francis’s comments on sexual pleasure and the controversy surrounding Cardinal Fernández’s book have sparked debates and division within the Catholic community, it is important to approach these discussions with open-mindedness and respect for diverse perspectives. Society as a whole should use this opportunity to engage in constructive conversations about sexuality, spirituality, and the evolving nature of relationships in the modern world.
