November 12, 2011. (Romereports.com) It was here, in St. Peter's square, that John Paul II began his lectures on the Theology of the Body. Through a series of reflections, he talked about the body in all its dimensions-from the physical to the spiritual, theological and cultural. For many it was a surprise to hear the pope openly talk about sexuality.

Ramón Lucas
Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome
“From a cultural point of view, the human body is often reduced to only one dimension. But the body is multi- dimensional, so doing so impoverishes it. John Paul II tried to explain the richness of the human body.”

During a recent convention at Rome's  Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, several speakers analyzed how John Paul II's teachings can help people understand the human body. Especially when it comes to respect and responsibility.

Ramón Lucas
Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome
“My body isn't an object, it's not something I possess per say. It's part of my being, therefore I shouldn't treat it as an object. Everything I do with my body, becomes part of me in every sense. One is part of the other. There isn't a distance between the two.”

On  issues like sexuality, speakers talked about the concept of love, including why John Paul II opposed the use of contraceptives in his teachings on the Theology of the Body.   

Rocco Buttiglione
House of Deputies (Italy)
“If I cut from the act, the perspective that children might be born from this act-it just becomes a kind of pleasing gymnastics, but there is no more force to unite two destinies.”

Ramón Lucas
Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome
“I am my body, so therefore I have to be responsible when it comes to the actions I do with my body, from a physical, somatic and spiritual perspective.”

John Paul II's Theology of the Body has been analyzed since the early 1980's. Just like big names in literature and art, theologians agree, his teachings will stay relevant for generations to come.


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