In Pursuit of Love: Catholic Morality and Human Sexuality, Revised Edition

By Vincent Genovesi and Vincent J. Genovesi SJ

Book Overview

While retaining the basic structure of the original book, this new edition has been thoroughly updated in light of some official Catholic documents and other theological writings dealing with sexual morality that have appeared since 1986. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Pope John Paul II's encyclicals Veritatis splendor and Evangelium vitae, and the 1986 and 1992statements of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on pastoral care of homosexuals and the issue of discrimination against them are among the more recent magisterial publications considered in this text.

This edition also contains several new sections: the misuses of sex (adultery, pornography, prostitution, sexual violence); four rationales for viewing a committed love relationship as the only appropriate context for sexual intercourse; marriage as a sacrament and marital sexuality and love as embodiments of commitment, intimacy, and passion; and public policy and the civil rights of homosexuals. This edition also includes an expanded discussion of topics such as sexism, sexually transmitted diseases especially HIV/AIDS and the moral questions raised by new family-planning methods (Norplant, Depo-Provera), RU-486, postcoital hormonal interventions against pregnancy, the start of human life, and abortion.

Vincent J. Genovesi, SJ, received his PhD in Christian ethics from Emory University. He is a professor at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. His articles have appeared in such journals as The Thomist, The Way, America, and Review for Religious.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0814655904
• ISBN13: 9780814655900
• Release Date: August 1996
• Publisher: Liturgical Press
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 1.41 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Outstanding look at traditional Catholic Teaching

Genovisi, is as outstanding in this text as he is in the class room. Having taken his sexuality class in college, I can say that this text is absoulutely outstanding. If you want a look at the traditional teachings of the Catholic faith pertaining to sexuality and marriage buy this book, its one of a kind. I feel honored to have had him as a teacher, and honored to own a copy of this text, truly outstanding.

Very Good Overview

This excellent work by Genovesi highlights many of the important concerns in Catholic sexual ethics today. It is a very well-balanced book and offers the reader a wealth of interesting information. It is also easy to read, though long, and stirs up questions about how to be faithful to the Church teachings while being pastoral. I would recommend the book for someone who would like to know more detailed information on the Catholic view of Love and Sexuality and would also urge that reader to look over the various Church documents at the same time (i.e. Humanae Vitae, On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons, Casti Conubii, and others).

Enlightening discussion of Catholic sexual ethics

This book adequately presents all major issues in sexual ethics and provides an illuminating discussion from the perspective of Catholic moral theology. The author gives room to all positions within the broad array of Catholic moral theologians today. As opposed to the dogmatic view of some manuals still used by seminaries and confessor, the author devotes space and energy to the discussion of moral arguments behind each moral solution. This book is very helpful to any layman or priest that wants to make sense of Catholic moral teaching in sexual matters.

Excellent resource.

A great resource for adults, both young and old, who are concerned with faith and living morally. Honest and straight forward, Genovesi confronts sexual issues that are sometimes difficult for the average individual to accept. His combination of theological and pyschological teachings deserves appreciation. Genovesi reveals the essentials of Love and sexual morality to those who need it the most, i.e., everyone.