Theology of the Body and The Role of Diversity of Sexes in the Catholic Notion of Diversity

Abstract

The rapidly Expanding Diversity, Equity (DEI), and Inclusion initiatives present a unique challenge to moral theology today. Not only do the three concepts appear loosely defined by the broader culture, but they are also largely missing from the Christian intellectual tradition. The way forward requires a more precise understanding of each of the concepts in their proper theological context. Appropriately, this work is currently underway. As an example, it was recently argued that the Catholic notion of diversity can be constructed on the basis of the Thomistic Creation-centered approach to reality. A more careful analysis, however, reveals that such an account must be expanded to give more adequate attention to the most fundamental diversity existing at the level of human persons: the diversity of sexes. Using John Paul II’s “Theology of the body” as a reference, it will be shown that the culmination of human participation in the beauty of the Creator lies in conjugal union, made possible by the diversity of the sexual constitution.