St. Augustine's theology of the body in American Catholicism

Francis Pullaro, Colby College

Abstract

This paper examines the legacy of St Augustine (354-430 C. E.) and his theology of the body in American Catholicism. It seeks to portray both Augustine's pessimistic attitude regarding sex and pleasure and his positive view of all created things. Catholic feminist Mary Gordon believes that pleasure, too, is part of the goodness of God's creation but, unlike Augustine, she believes that our sexuality is not for procreation only.