25 year-old book by Vatican doctrinal czar surfaces on God and orgasms
In a 25-year-old book written by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández that has resurfaced amid disputes over his recent approval of non-liturgical blessing of same-sex couples, the Argentine prelate offers readers an in-depth spiritual reflection on human sexuality and the meaning of orgasms.
Titled La pasión mística: espiritualidad y sensualidad, meaning, “Mystical passion: spirituality and sensuality,” the book was published in 1998 and was written by then-Father Víctor Manuel Fernández, who is now prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF).
The book, noteworthy for its detailed and explicit description of male and female experiences during orgasms, has resurfaced in light of debates surrounding the publication in December of the DDF’s declaration, “Fiducia Supplicans: On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings,” in which Fernández’s, with the approval of Pope Francis, urges pastors to give non-liturgical blessings to couples in irregular situations.
At the time of his appointment as head of the DDF last summer, Fernández came under fire for another controversial book he wrote in 1995 on the spiritual meaning of kissing, titled, “Heal Me with Your Mouth: The Art of Kissing.”
Speaking to Crux, Fernández said “Mystical Passion” is a book he wrote while still young and is one “that I certainly would not write now.”
“Long after that book I wrote much more serious ones like, ‘The Healing Force of Mysticism,’ and ‘The Transforming Force of Mysticism,’” he said.
Fernández said he cancelled “Mystical Passion” not long after it was published, and “never allowed it to be reprinted.”
He said the book made sense at the time after having a conversation with young couples “who wanted to better understand the spiritual meaning of their relationships,” but that soon after it came out he feared the book “could be misinterpreted.”
“That’s why I don’t think it’s a good thing to spread it now. In fact, I have not authorized it and it is contrary to my will,” he said.
