Sexuality and the Catholic Tradition
James Alison, a Catholic theologian, and Sherif Girgis, a Catholic philosopher, traded opinions about same-sex marriage and marriage equality in “Sexuality and the Christian Understanding of the Human Person,” a lively discussion moderated by Theology and Religious Studies Professor Zach Flanagin on Thursday, Nov. 3.
Recent interest regarding Pope Francis’ position on marriage equality and sexuality served as a catalyst for the night’s debate. Girgis, a philosopher in the Catholic Natural Law tradition and the co-author of What Is Marriage? Man and Woman: A Defense, began his debate by speaking about marriage and what constitutes it as valid. A deep emotional bond is the foundation for a marriage, not bodily union, he said.
In contrast, Alison, author of Jesus the Forgiving Victim: Listening for the Unheard Voice and a leader in the Global Network for Rainbow Catholics, focused on the appropriateness of gender variance within society. “We see a conflict about what appears to be the form of flourishing proper to everyone, and the form of flourishing proper to gay and lesbian people,” he said.
The difference in opinion between the theologian and philosopher led to an enticing debate. The topic of marriage equality and bodily union created a following as audience members flooded Flanagin’s email inbox with questions about what this issue really means for a Catholic in today’s society. “Opposite and same-sex couples can realize being each other’s first responder in distress, living in dynamic diaries for each other, being a partner in every victory and every personal defeat,” Girgis said. “The question at issue here is whether pursuing sexual union with someone of the same sex, whether that itself contributes to the kind of union they have of lover and beloved.”
The forum was presented by the departments of Theology and Religious Studies and Women and Gender Studies to prompt campus discussions in light of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same sex marriage and recent World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia and the Synod of Bishops on the Family in Rome. The forum also reflects the spirit of the College’s commitment to the “great conversations” in Collegiate Seminar, in which students read and discuss the ideas of the world's greatest thinkers and examine, question, and discuss ideas of all types, even those they may strongly disagree with.
There will be a follow-up, rotating roundtable discussion Tuesday, Nov. 10, 3-4:30 p.m., in the Soda Center where SMC faculty, staff, and students will have the opportunity to share their responses to what was said by our guest speakers. All are invited, whether to join in the roundtable or just listen.