Confusion about sexual attraction

[underacloud]

Sorry, I read back over what I wrote earlier and of course you are right - I did say chastity a couple of times when I meant celibacy.

I’ll clarify what I meant to say. We are all called to be chaste. Chastity is a gift from God to everyone, no matter how we experience or practice it. Chastity for those not married, is practiced as celibacy, which can be offered as a sacrifice to God. For those who suffer through celibacy, the suffering in particular can be offered to be united with Christ’s sacrifice and thus we can hope that much good can come of it.

 

[Hadrianus]

Sorry, I read back over what I wrote earlier and of course you are right - I did say chastity a couple of times when I meant celibacy.

I’ll clarify what I meant to say. We are all called to be chaste. Chastity is a gift from God to everyone, no matter how we experience or practice it. Chastity for those not married, is practiced as celibacy, which can be offered as a sacrifice to God. For those who suffer through celibacy, the suffering in particular can be offered to be united with Christ’s sacrifice and thus we can hope that much good can come of it.

I don’t want to sidetrack this thread, but do wish to clarify one point: The idea of celibacy (perpetual continence in the single state) as a cross is a very modern notion, probably derived in some way from the Protestant opposition to clerical celibacy and the religious orders. Historically, the Catholic Church has prized celibacy highly and considered it, ceteris paribus, a superior state with the potential for greater holiness. I am not Knocking marriage here, just clarifying a point which Catholics themselves have lost sight of.