Celibacy and Sexual Integration

The traditional minds raise eyebrows —how come celibacy and sex get equal treatment, and that too as an attempt to integrate both? This book has an answer for them, a scholarly and convincing answer. Sexuality, a powerful dynamism that thrusts its presence in human life as a need for intimacy and generativity, contains, when integrated, a great potential for discovering the mystery of another person. It is neither a plea for an endless titillatiori of the senses nor for licensing of warm carnal feelings. Rather it represents a real concern for the psychosexual growth of celibates as sexuality touches every level of their existence as human beings. Sexual integration is a challenge thrown to the celibate if he/she is really to live the virtue of chastity, that is, to radiate the same warmth and affection characteristic of Jesus' relating to men and women. Dr. Felix Podimattam OFM Cap., a moral theologian of high repute in national and international circles, has already contributed the humanity with 25 books on Morality and Spirituality. He heads the Association of Moral Theologians of India. Contents INTRODUCTION I. CONSECRATED CELIBACY AS A WAY OF SEXUAL FULFILMENT 1. Distinction between Generic Sexuality and Genital Sexuality 2. Consecrated Celibacy as a Way of Generic Sexual Fulfilment II. CONSECRATED CELIBACY AND INTEGRATION OF GENERIC SEXUALITY Friendship with Christ Friendship with One's Family Members Homosocial Friendship Heterosexual Friendship Heterosexual Communities? Spiritual Parenthood III. CONSECRATED CELIBACY AND INTEGRATION OF GENITAL SEXUALITY 1. Appreciation of One's Own Body and Sexuality 2. True Meaning of Sexual Control 3. Proper Attitude Towards Sexual Temptation 4. Appropriate Understanding of Masturbation 5. Facing the Midlife Crisis IV. CHRIST, THE EXEMPLAR OF SEXUAL INTEGRATION