Robert Moynihan on Christopher West's Theology of the Body

I never miss reading Robert Moynihan's Newsflash reports which I receive by email. This one came today. Unfortunately, it's not online yet at his website so I'm reposting here. This is an excellent summary of the debate last year over Christopher West's appearance on ABC which sparked a discussion of his interpretation and approach to John Paul II's Theology of the body. Moynihan provides an extensive review of the material and his discussion concludes with Alice von Hildebrand's article published about two weeks ago. If you only have time for one thing, read Mrs. von Hildebrand's inspired article. It is truly a gracious, humble, and holy work.  Robert Moynihan is the editor of Inside the Vatican.

A Theological Debate Heats Up

What is the right relationship between sex and sanctity? That's what many Catholics in the US are asking as a simmering theological debate over the "Theology of the Body" threatens to boil over and further test the unity of the Church in the US. The debate touches on issues ranging from the doctrine of original sin to the legacy of Pope John Paul II. And the hierarchy itself seems divided...


By Robert Moynihan
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"It had never been their intention to set up a separate Church... To be a leaven within the lump, to be an enclave of holiness within the corrupt body of Christendom, was the aim... But the logic of facts was against them. The enthusiast always begins by trying to form a church within the Church, always ends by finding himself committed to sectarian opposition." —Monsignor Ronald Knox, Enthusiasm

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Love and Lust, Sin and Holiness

Note: The subject matter of the letter below is human sexuality, a matter which traditional Catholic teaching advises should always be treated with great discretion. And, in essence, that is the tragedy, and the problem, with this growing debate -- that matters which should be dealt with in privacy, and with discretion, are being dealt with in public, and without great discretion.
So I hesitated before embarking on this letter. But in the end, I felt it important to write it and send it because the controversy does touch on all the issues and questions concerning sexuality in our lives -- from love and courtship and marriage, to sexual relations and sexual pleasure, to contraception and homosexuality.