NZ priest believes pornography a factor in vocations decline

Pukekohe parish priest Fr Robert Steele last year published A Journey of Hope: Combating Pornography on the Internet, which is described as a Catholic approach to healing and freedom.

Fr Steele, who struggled with alcohol addiction before his ordination but has just marked 25 years of sobriety, said in an interview with Sydney publication The Catholic Weekly that pornography addiction is a public health crisis and also a spiritual crisis.

“Pornography trains the heart to consume rather than to love. It erodes the capacity for self-gift, fidelity, reverence for the body and authentic intimacy,” Fr Steele said.

“As for vocations and faith practice: I would not claim pornography is the only factor, but I am convinced it is a significant one,” he said. “When men live in chronic shame, secrecy and compulsive sexual behaviour, it becomes far harder for them to imagine priesthood, marriage or deep commitment to God.”

Fr Steele said breaking the cycle of pornography addiction takes place in three dimensions: neurological, emotional and spiritual. He suggested a number of tactics, but insisted that “lasting freedom is not simply a matter of willpower; it is a journey of grace”.  

Fr Steele said confession is a great source of healing.

“Frequent reception, weekly or every two weeks, helps build resilience, because each confession not only absolves sin but pours out sacramental grace, strengthening us to resist temptation. Many recovering addicts testify that confession is their ‘reset button’, a safe place to start over without fear of judgment.

“I tell them never to give up. Keep praying. Recovery is slow. Recurrence is common, unfortunately. But progress is slow but steady.”  

Fr Steele said the issue should be highlighted more in Church settings.

“When young people and parents never hear the Church speak clearly, compassionately and practically about chastity and pornography, they assume the Church doesn’t understand their world. That is tragic. 

“We need more preaching, more catechesis and more pastoral honesty. Not in a moralistic or shaming way, but in a healing, hopeful, truth-telling way.”  

FULL STORY

NZ priest offers a way out of pornography addiction (By Michael Cook/The Catholic Weekly)

Priest’s book on harms of pornography offers message of hope (Catholic Diocese of Auckland)