THE IMPLICATIONS OF HUMAN SEXUALITY DIGNITY TO THE CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS LEADERS (PASTOR). INTRODUCTION

GABRIEL EKPOUDOM. 

INTRODUCTION:

 Human sexuality is the way people experience and express themselves sexually. This involves biological, erotic, physical, emotional, social, or spiritual feelings and behaviors. Regardless of who we are, where we are from, it is not a matter of age, not even a matter of gender or sex, but in actual sense, it is generally as far as we are humans. Sexuality is an integral part of our personalities whether we are aware of it, it is into very texture of the human beings so that if it did not exist in a particular individual he/she would be less human than full human. The pastor is not free from clutches, each person called Service in church is a human being, he/she deserves to be loved, he/she as emotions, they can be sexual aroused, they have affections and everything that culminate their personality as a human being, of all the private and public discussion and controversial celibacy is used to surround pastors of different churches, especially the Roman Catholic church, celibacy is one of the requirements use by some churches according to their doctrine, this have become very challenging to them, it is said that no thinking human being will accept celibacy as a of life, so open to criticism as being unthinking, It becomes for them apparently impossible for one not to express himself sexually as sexual beings that they are. But this is untrue as self discipline, self denial, and unswerving love for Christ as well as commitment is highly emphasize even in the process of sexual re-awakening. This on their part underlies the dignity of Pastors as well as human sexuality. 

 HUMAN SEXUALITY: 

 It is a broad term, which has varied over time, it lacks a precise definition. However according to Cavendish, human sexuality implies “ the way in which people experience and express themselves sexually, our awareness of ourselves as human being is the Part of our sexuality, as it is the capacity we have for experiences and response. 

 HUMAN SEXUALITY THE PANORAMIC VIEW:

  Human sexuality is so intriguing that many fields and discipline have delved deep into field like anthropology Biology, psychology physiology to mention but few . The Biological perspective of human sexuality has to do with the human reproductive system and the sexual cycle as well as the factors that affect them. In most species sexual behavior principally serves the purpose of reproduction . In humans other purposes for sexual behavior in addition to reproduction have evolved. Here sexuality is divided into two namely : diffused sexuality ( that which excludes the use of genitals for sexual activity) and conjugal sexuality deals with the use of sexual or genitals occasional yearning for sexual activity (Maru, 168). The sociological perspective of human sexuality has to do with providing insight into the ways in which cultural institutions and beliefs affect sexual behavior and people's sense of morality. Whereas, the psychology perspective of human sexuality focus on the many psychological influences perception, learning, motivation, emotions, personality, so bon that affect one's sexual behavior and one's experiences depending on the sexes, thus one can say and rightly so that ,, sexuality is the basic makeup of human person, no one can obviously run from it as it is woven to the very texture of human nature, as everyday it is being express and experience whether in thoughts or actions.

 ADDRESSING THE VARIOUS SEX SCANDALS:

The alarm numbers of sexual scandals among the ministers of God down through the centuries make people ask many questions such as ; is real celibacy possible? Can celibacy become an absolute condition for pastors? Instead of mandatory celibacy, why not optional celibacy? The abnormal and perverted sexual behaviors of pastors and Bishops having illegitimate spouse and children, having affairs with one or many women, actively living their homosexuality, philandering and pedophilia are common phenomenon today. Many clergymen have taken to extremity the expression of their sexuality, but it is no longer a thing done in hiding but it is as conspicuous and scandalous as anything you can ever imagine. The bitter truth is that even those who engage in this illicit act see nothing wrong with it anymore as they have apparently lost sight of the vow of celibacy taken during ordination. The fact still remains that amidst this discipline of celibacy, the scandals of pastors sexual misconduct in it’s rank and files have cast a long shadow on the dignity and credibility of the pastor. These sexual misconducts were often thought to revolves around adultery and fornication but in various immoral delinquency of every kind which include; homosexuality, rape, illegitimate co-habitation, harassment, to mention but few. These immoral acts have result poses serious threat on the sustainability of the pastors and the church at large and if nothing is done soon about it, it is going to throw the church into jeopardy. The wrong expression one’s sexuality does not only become against discipline of the pastor celibacy as regards the pastor hood but hampers the dignity of human sexuality.

 RECOMMENDATION/CONCLUSION:

There is absolutely nothing wrong for one to live out his sexuality, But the challenge here is living out one’s sexuality in line with one’s life project. A married man lives out his sexuality according to his life project, by being faithful to his wife with commitment and ardent love. Consequently, the pastor to be most live their out theirs according to the celibate life, with an unswerving commitment to God and humanity in discharging their pastoral duties. The celibate life is not an easy one. I am not in any way portraying a simple life detached from the possibility of temptation but a life that is primarily characterized by loving service, self discipline and wholehearted commitment to God amidst the quandary that pastoral celibacy presents. But prior to this the step to conquering one’s sexual urge is being conscious one’s sexuality. The lack of sexual scandals amongst the sacerdotal order. This candidates for the ministerial pastoral, Human formation is an indispensable part of formation that is tilts towards giving the candidates preparing for pastoral awareness of self, (their strengths and weakness) needed to confront the dares of celibacy as an exclusive requirements for the pastor hood. This, proper orientation concerning the celibate life and the challenges it poses should be exposed to the candidates, preparing their minds for the tasks ahead and giving them a disposition of whether or not to verge into mastery of the self for proper evangelization.