“Only when a love is chaste is it true love. Chastity is a condition for the genuine growth of interpersonal love”. We read this in the document Catechumenal Ways for Married Life of the Dicastery for Laity, which echoes in some points the words of Pope Francis in his book Amoris Laetitia. The text acknowledges at a certain point that the principles it recommends, particularly on the subject of chastity, are “contrary to the general mentality.” Nevertheless, in a paragraph from the catechumens, we read: “Chastity must be presented as an authentic ally of love, not as its denial. It is the privileged way of learning to respect the individuality and dignity of others without subordinating them to one’s own desires. In addition, it teaches the ways and times of true love ».
The topic of sexuality is repeatedly taken up and the need for affective educational offers for young people is emphasized, which must not be limited “tot court to the horizon of love as romantic love in the prevailing cultural interpretation”. The Vatican document is primarily aimed at couples and at one point also points out that “a separation can sometimes even become morally necessary”. This should be the case, for example, “when it comes to rescuing the weakest spouse or young children from the gravest wounds inflicted by bullying and violence, humiliation and exploitation, strangeness and indifference”. But, according to the text, only as a “last resort after all other reasonable attempts have been in vain”.