"There is no dignity when the human dimension is eliminated from the person. In short, the problem with pornography is not that it shows too much of the person, but that it shows far too little."
-St. John Paul II
-St. John Paul II
FAQs
What is the Catholic Church's teaching on Pornography?
Pornography consists in removing real or simulated sexual acts from the intimacy of the partners, in order to display them deliberately to third parties. It offends against chastity because it perverts the conjugal act, the intimate giving of spouses to each other. It does grave injury to the dignity of its participants (actors, vendors, the public), since each one becomes an object of base pleasure and illicit profit for others. It immerses all who are involved in the illusion of a fantasy world. It is a grave offense. Civil authorities should prevent the production and distribution of pornographic materials.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2354
How can I quit porn?
The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem out of your control. Cutting pornography out of your life is one step, but healing from the affects of it will take time. Quitting a habit or addiction will likely come with many hiccups along the way. With that, there is hope for recovery.
Is porn harmful to relationships?
Yes. Porn is harmful to relationships. The sexual act is intended to be within the confines of a sacramental marriage, where two people willingly and without cohesion decide to offer their lives and bodies to one another. When a third party enters into the mix, be it another person or pornography, it destroys both the spiritual and physical unity of the couple; of which can only be reordered through the sacrament of confession. Lust is to use something for your own selfish purposes. Whereas love gives freely, without conditions. There can be no mutual gift of self when pornography is present.
Check out this series on healing from a pornography wound by Catholic Therapist, Dr. Bob Schutes and guest speaker Matt Fradd or listen to a series from Theology of the Body Institute that shares the personal story of the effects pornography had on a Catholic marriage, here.
Are there any resources out there to help overcome this addiction?
Yes! Numerous. Check out some of the links below for more information:
Covenant Eyes - The Porn Circuit
Exodus 90 - Lenten Challenge to Overcome Pornography Addiction
Create in Me A Clean Heart - USCCB response on Pornography Addiction
Integrity Restored
Fight The New Drug
Pornography consists in removing real or simulated sexual acts from the intimacy of the partners, in order to display them deliberately to third parties. It offends against chastity because it perverts the conjugal act, the intimate giving of spouses to each other. It does grave injury to the dignity of its participants (actors, vendors, the public), since each one becomes an object of base pleasure and illicit profit for others. It immerses all who are involved in the illusion of a fantasy world. It is a grave offense. Civil authorities should prevent the production and distribution of pornographic materials.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2354
How can I quit porn?
The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem out of your control. Cutting pornography out of your life is one step, but healing from the affects of it will take time. Quitting a habit or addiction will likely come with many hiccups along the way. With that, there is hope for recovery.
- Have patience with yourself. Start by finding a trustworthy person too confide in, preferably someone who affirms the church teaching that the act of pornography disorders the sexual act. Mold grows in the dark, this is to say that sin makes us want to isolate and shame ourselves; but the Jesus taught us to ask and we shall receive
- Ask for forgiveness, go to confession. God wants to forgive, he wants to heal; but only with your consent
- God has gifted us with tangible resources to receive healing; including the sacraments, community, and educated professionals who counsel those with addiction. These resources can help you identify your patterns of weakness. Does it happen when you're home alone, when you're trying to sleep, when you're in pain, when you're lonely, when you've messed up on another weakness, etc. These are all, but not limited too, patterns of habit that can be your trigger point
- Take time to reflect on the root of that trigger. It likely is connected to a deeper wound of feeling hopeless or unworthy. Once identified, change your patterns of habit
- Have an accountability buddy to call or text
- Exercise. Exercise offers a person a similar chemical release of endorphins as sex does
- Find a scripture passage or quick prayer you can say in the moment, Jesus used scripture to combat the temptations in the desert during his 40 day fast
- Get out of your comfort zone and serve your community. Giving of ourselves in a healthy way aids in restoration of not just the community, but also your personal growth
- Be in constant communication with God in prayer; In temptation, amid trial, and when you fall. He is not ashamed of you. Jesus already saw it all as he willingly journeyed to the cross. Take some time to reflect on John 17:1-26. Jesus is praying for you in that moment.
Is porn harmful to relationships?
Yes. Porn is harmful to relationships. The sexual act is intended to be within the confines of a sacramental marriage, where two people willingly and without cohesion decide to offer their lives and bodies to one another. When a third party enters into the mix, be it another person or pornography, it destroys both the spiritual and physical unity of the couple; of which can only be reordered through the sacrament of confession. Lust is to use something for your own selfish purposes. Whereas love gives freely, without conditions. There can be no mutual gift of self when pornography is present.
Check out this series on healing from a pornography wound by Catholic Therapist, Dr. Bob Schutes and guest speaker Matt Fradd or listen to a series from Theology of the Body Institute that shares the personal story of the effects pornography had on a Catholic marriage, here.
Are there any resources out there to help overcome this addiction?
Yes! Numerous. Check out some of the links below for more information:
Covenant Eyes - The Porn Circuit
Exodus 90 - Lenten Challenge to Overcome Pornography Addiction
Create in Me A Clean Heart - USCCB response on Pornography Addiction
Integrity Restored
Fight The New Drug
Confession in the area....
Videos
Check out these videos for more on pornography
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