Negotiating Catholic Sexual Ethics

Catholic teachings on sexuality have long stirred controversies and global debates insofar as they put the value of women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights into question. In the Catholic Church, there are ongoing debates among scholars, including theologians and feminists. Various theologians, such as Tina Beattie, have argued that the Church’s doctrines on sexuality do not take into account the daily experiences of a large group of Catholics, especially in relation to the topic of birth control. In this paper, we present a review of empirical studies on the topic of ‘lived sexual ethics.’ Using an integrative review method, we compared nine empirical studies on ordinary Catholic women’s views on and experiences with Catholic teachings on sexual ethics with three aims in mind. Firstly, we present the methodology and conceptual framework (agency) that the study used. Secondly, we present one strategy and four arguments of the Catholic women in nine different contexts. Lastly, we analyze which approaches to agency from each of these could be considered when reflecting on sexual ethics from the perspective of lived experiences of Catholics.