Theology of the booty? Whoops. Theology of the Body

The Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF) gave Pope John Paul II’s teachings on the Theology of the Body (TOB) top billing at its 3rd Seminar on the Family March 22-23 in efforts to overcome challenges even Catholics face in the area of marriage and human sexuality.

The percentage of Catholic weddings has dropped 74 per cent in Canada over the past 34 years. The picture is similar in the United States or other western countries, said Christian and Christine Meert, directors of the Colorado Springs diocese’s office of marriage and family life.

And of those Catholics who do want a Church wedding, 90 per cent of engaged couples are already sexually active, using artificial contraception and plan to continue using it after marriage, they said.

The Meerts said Catholic priests and marriage preparation leaders may be afraid to bring up the Church’s teachings on human sexuality for fear of scaring young people away.

Marriage preparation experts Christine and Christian Meert of the Colorado Springs diocese. Photo Deborah Gyapong/CCNThe Meerts have developed an approach based on John Paul II’s teachings on the Theology of the Body (TOB) that lays a theological foundation step by step, so couples can receive the tougher questions concerning abstinence and family planning. By the time the questions of contraception and abstinence come up, most are willing to consider natural family planning and refraining from sex until after marriage, the Meerts said.