Sexuality and Catholic Teaching

Influenced by Stoicism and the Gnostics, early Christian tradition tended to embrace the notion that while sexuality itself was good, it had to be confined within strict limits. Gradually, it became accepted belief that sexual relations were only justified by procreative intent and that all other sexual activity was sinful. At the same time, the ideal of celibacy took hold among both men and women. The celibate ideal became increasingly associated with the priesthood, and marriage took second place as simply something resorted to by those who were not strong enough to follow a celibate lifestyle.

As the attitude of early Christians toward sexuality evolved, the influence of St. Augustine became more and more critical. Augustine had arrived at a generally negative view of humanity and tied it to the sexual act itself. If the fallen state of mankind was brought about by Adam and Eve’s original sin, then the act of sexual intercourse perpetuated that fallen state down the generations. In spite of efforts by several popes and many theologians to temper this pessimistic view of sexuality, it remains central to Catholic thought right down to the present day.

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