Church's Stance Doesn't Stifle Sexuality, Says University Chief

VATICAN CITY, NOV. 22, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Ignorance of the Church's view of sexuality leads many young people to think that it stands for repressive norms, instead of a path to happiness, says a university president.

José Luis Mendoza, father of 14, spoke on "Sexual Education and Challenges of Young Families," during last week's plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Family, of which he was recently appointed a consultor. Mendoza is president of the Catholic University of St. Anthony, of Murcia, Spain.

"Many young married couples, because they are ignorant of Christian thought, believe erroneously that the Catholic Church with its norms, prevents the enjoyment of a full sexual relationship," said Mendoza.

On the contrary, he insisted, "there can be full enjoyment of the sexual relationship without the need to commit acts that are contrary to human nature itself and to the will of God."

"God willed to raise to the category of sacrament, the union of man and woman, so that the self-giving of both is surrounded by the holiness of God," he added.

The topic of the assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Family was "The Mission of Mature and Experienced Couples in Reference to Engaged and Young Married Couples."

By way of advice to young married couples, Mendoza stressed the importance of prayer, to "be able to face the struggles of life and to live in fullness the evangelizing mission that the family has in the world."

Mendoza also emphasized that parents must "choose their children's school with care," and supervise "what they watch on television," and above all, "to watch over the sexual education and morality of their children."