Sexuality and Catholicism [Hardcover]

Thomas C. Fox (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1995

Sexuality and Catholicism offers a concise and well-rounded analysis of all the most important and most widely discussed issues concerning sexuality and Roman Catholicism. The theme of this volume--the sin of sexuality--is as old as the creation story and as new as the Vatican's reassertion that divorced and remarried Catholics must choose between the sacraments and having sex in marriage. A daily presence in the news, this highly controversial subject affects millions within the church and millions more who look to the church for moral guidance.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Editor of the liberal National Catholic Reporter, Fox suggests that the Vatican's absolutist approach, condemning artificial contraception, abortion, homosexual acts and sterilization as gravely immoral and unnatural, ignores contemporary scientific discussion and the experience of ordinary people. Carefully reviewing the Catholic Church's often contradictory moral reasoning on sexuality from earliest times to the present, he concludes that the church hierarchy began a serious effort to condemn birth control only in this century. He scrutinizes recent changes within the priesthood: pressures to allow marriage and women's ordination, a rise in the number of gay priests and reports of priests molesting children. The church's denial or downplaying of such reports, he believes, has alienated many Catholic laypeople already disenchanted with official positions on sexuality. Fox surveys contemporary efforts to create an open-minded, creation-centered theology, led by priest Thomas Beryr and ex-Dominican Matthew Fox, who stress humanity's place within the unfolding evolution of the cosmos. This important, farsighted book lays a groundwork for healing and renewal within the church.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

The deft yet profoundly human touch of Thomas Fox may be felt on every page of this enlightening book. NonCatholics will profit as much or more than Catholics from reading this succinct yet profound interpretation of the Catholic Church's outlook on sexuality.... -- Eugene Kennedy, Professor of Psychology, Loyola University of Chicago

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 381 pages
• Publisher: George Braziller (August 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807613967
• ISBN-13: 978-0807613962
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,413,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative, but lacking organization--more for reference, August 1, 2001

By 

"epalirai" (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sexuality and Catholicism (Paperback)

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It had some very interesting chapters, like those on homosexuality and self-love, and they were very informative for a Catholic Teen like myself. The book helped to clear up a lot of grey areas, but also presented others that the Church has not made a stake in yet. It cited a lot of history, if you care for that, and gave reasons why the Church's thinking was both wrong and right. A good read for curious Catholics.

5.0 out of 5 stars Catholic Sexual Teaching 101, October 5, 2009

By 

Richard Novak (Warren, MI) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Sexuality and Catholicism (Paperback)

Thomas Fox does a great job of introducing the foundations and scope of Catholic moral theology. Although I was already familiar with many of the historical and theological data on this topic, I found this book very helpful in clarifying concepts that are presented more technically in moral theology textbooks. I would recommend it as a supplementary resource, much like using a bible commentary in a scripture course. Fox's many years as a noted publisher, editor and reporter establish his credibility in researching and writing on the topics he presents. The book is well documented and has a detailed index.

I like the adequate attention to the historical background and developments in Catholic church teaching on the more commonly discussed moral issues. The treatment of birth control and Pope Paul VI's Humanae Vitae encyclical, abortion, homosexuality and non-marital sexual behavior is done in a respectful and professional manner, while acknowledging diverse or dissenting interpretations of moral teachings on these matters.

Although not a moral issue of the same genre as those mentioned above, the chapter on "Women and the Church" is very appropriately included within the scope of the book. Fox presents a helpful and balanced discussion of the nuances of "feminism" and its implications for women's participation in the church, including the controversies regarding ordination of women. I recommend his discussion of the lengthy stuggles (and eventual failure) of the U.S. bishops to write and publish a pastoral letter on women in the church during the ten years following 1983 - especially how the Vatican's interventions hampered this endeavor.

While in vitro fertilization, embryonic stem-cell research and end-of-life issues have become prominent since publication of this book (and are not discussed), nevertheless, Fox provides sufficient moral theology background to non-professional readers to grapple with these issues.