VATICAN CITY (Zenit.org): In a society that treats the practise of sexuality like a drug, not just the concept of love needs defending, but also the dignity of the person, says Pope Benedict XVI.
The Pope affirmed this on May 10 when he received in audience participants from an international congress promoted by the Pontifical Lateran University to mark the 40th anniversary of the encyclical Humanae Vitae.
Recalling that the encyclical was published by Pope Paul VI on July 25, 1968, Pope Benedict XVI highlighted how “the document soon became a sign of contradiction”, and pointed out that “it constitutes a significant show of courage in reiterating the continuity of the Church’s doctrine and tradition”.
“The truth expressed in ‘Humanae Vitae’ does not change,” the Holy Father said.
“Quite the contrary, in the light of new scientific discoveries its teaching becomes more relevant and stimulates reflection on the intrinsic values it possesses.”
The Pontiff affirmed that “in a culture suffering from the prevalence of having over being, human life risks losing its value”.
“If the practise of sexuality becomes a drug that seeks to enslave the partner to one’s own desires and interests, without respecting the times of the beloved, then what must be defended is no longer just the concept of love but, primarily, the dignity of the person.
“As believers we could never allow the power of technology to invalidate the quality of love and the sacredness of life.”
Natural law, he said, “deserves to be recognised as the source inspiring the relationship between a married couple in their responsibility to generate children”.
Pope Benedict XVI expressed his hope that young people “may learn the true meaning of love and prepare for it with appropriate sexual education, not allowing themselves to be distracted by superficial messages that prevent them from appreciating the essence of the truth at stake”.
