As we approach the celebration of Carnival, which is an important cultural event in the life of the nation, people - young and not so young - will be required to make choices about how they will celebrate.

Will they follow the wisdom of God and have fun while remaining faithful to the Covenant or will they follow the wisdom of the world, compromise their relationship with God and possibly place themselves at risk. People must make a decision about which wisdom they intend to follow.

The moral theology of the Catholic Church is, without question, counter cultural to the growing valueless lifestyle of so many people in international society.

The behaviour that flows from valueless lifestyles is a real concern to the Church and a challenge to the governments of the world. The concern of the Church and governments of the world becomes even more profound due to the presence of radical religious values that also threaten the welfare of international society.

What are the signs of these unacceptable lifestyles? Some examples are: violent death, hatred, injustice, disrespect for life and property, addictions, crime, sexually transmitted diseases and corruption, even in times of natural disaster.

These examples and others have adversely affected the ability of governments to plan positively for the future and have forced governments to restructure budgets to confront major social problems.

It is the responsibility of the Church to remind the Catholic community and the national community that the moral theology of the Church is good for society, for community building and for confronting the emptiness of valueless lifestyles and the danger of radical lifestyles.

The historical context

At the very beginning of the history of the Church, the Church had to confront the pagan culture of imperial Rome and had to protect the believing community because it had to live within the pagan culture.

The prayerful commitment of the people to the values of the Lord, the strength provided to the people through the teaching of the truth and the holistic support available in the community enabled the Church to protect its people.

Eventually, the unimaginable happened. The pagan culture of Rome collapsed from within. The Church also had to confront the terrible situation of the “dark ages”. Once again it emerged successful against all the odds.

The Church is now being confronted by a new historical challenge: the influence of international neo-paganism and the emergence of a new “dark ages” for international society. People are searching and thirsting for meaning, hope and peace.

The pattern of response

From the viewpoint of Church intervention, the pattern of response to this new challenge must be rooted in the success of the Church in the past:
1) the patient, persevering and respectful teaching of the truth;
2) a process of consistent strengthening of the community that must continue to live within this growing culture of neo-paganism; and
3) the facilitating of a renewed commitment by the people to the values of the Lord through a substantive spiritual life.

The issue of sexual behaviour

One issue of neo-paganism that must be continually addressed by the Church is sexual behaviour. The desire for personal relationship and sexual pleasure is basic to human nature. Unfortunately, the desire can be and is manipulated by evil forces for financial gain. Therefore, it is important to proclaim and witness to the truth.

The moral theology of the Church on sexual behaviour is presented in the positive context of interpersonal love and understanding sexuality as a gift of God. The Church reminds each person of the importance of accepting oneself as a sexual being and that sexuality affects all aspects of the human person.

The Church teaches that sexual behaviour is limited to marriage – the lifelong commitment of a man and a woman – and that each sexual act must be open to life.

Marital love has procreative and unitive purposes which cannot be separated. It is directed to the well being of the spouses, a sign of their mutual gift to each other.

In the Catholic understanding of sexuality, sexual behaviour and marriage, the culturally common forms of neo-pagan sexual behaviour that are so exalted in our times are declared immoral: pre-marital sex, so called recreational sex, multiple sexual partners, homosexual acting out, adultery, rape, masturbation, pornography and prostitution.

Pastorally speaking, it is essential to distinguish immoral sexual behaviour that is the result of human weakness from the mindset that every person has a right to determine what is moral and what is immoral.

For those who have consciously or unconsciously accepted the neo-pagan view on sexuality and sexual behaviour, Catholic teaching and the chaste behaviour it calls for are totally rejected. However, for those who serve in pastoral care, in the field of counselling, spiritual direction and who care medically for people who have contracted one or more sexual diseases, Catholic teaching is viewed much more positively.

It is the only teaching that is 100% effective in protecting from disease. It offers a positive and profound theology on self, sexuality and human relationship. Most importantly, it has something to offer to people who are trying to recover, psychologically and spiritually, from the agony and trauma of being used sexually as a thing.

Conclusion

The reason I have chosen this topic now is the present carnival season. For some people, carnival is a time when “all the moral norms are suspended”. Please try to remember that the wisdom of God is for our happiness and salvation.

These are difficult times, but the Church has ministered in difficult times in the past. Eventually people begin to listen to the truth. Do not be discouraged at what may seem to be an impossible task of changing a world on the road to neo-paganism.

Nothing is impossible to God. Remember the Roman Empire and remember the evil of the dark ages. Be confident in the truth and pray for openness to the truth.

Finally, remember it is possible to celebrate cultural events, have fun and still be faithful to the Lord.