Catholic Anthropology beyond Compulsory Sexuality

Abstract

Drawing from asexual experience and theory, this essay demonstrates how many Catholic magisterial and progressive theological accounts of the human person mask the realities of asexuality by reflecting and perpetuating compulsory sexuality. To correct this oversight and move Catholic theological anthropologies beyond compulsory sexuality, the author explores underappreciated dimensions of human life that often feature more prominently among asexual persons because of their asexuality. This reflection shows asexuality to be a fecund resource for expanding theological reflection on human relationship to the more-than-human world, to other humans, and to God.