Apologetics Vocab (Human Sexuality)

Human dignity

The intrinsic worth of every person simply because they are human

Natural law

A moral order discernible by reason that reflects human nature and purpose

Conscience

A person’s moral sense that judges actions as right or wrong and must be properly formed

Magisterium

The teaching authority of the Catholic Church exercised by the pope and bishops in communion

Chastity

The virtue that orders and integrates sexuality according to one’s state in life

Surrogacy

An arrangement where a woman carries and gives birth to a child for another person or couple

Unitive

The aspect of marital sexual acts that fosters emotional and spiritual union between spouses

Procreative

The aspect of marital sexual acts oriented toward the conception of children

Conjugal act

The sexual act between spouses ordered toward unity and openness to life

Contraception

Any deliberate action that prevents the natural procreative outcome of the conjugal act

Natural Family Planning (NFP)

Methods that observe natural fertility signs to plan or avoid pregnancy without artificial intervention

Artificial reproductive technology (ART)

Medical procedures that assist reproduction, such as IVF or gamete manipulation

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

Fertilization of an egg outside the body with embryos later transferred to a uterus

Embryo

The early human organism from conception onward with moral status in Catholic teaching

Personhood

The recognition of a being as a person with inherent dignity and moral rights

Same-sex attraction

Sexual or romantic attraction toward persons of the same sex

Homosexual acts

Sexual acts between persons of the same sex

Intrinsically disordered

A term meaning an act is morally wrong by its nature, not just by circumstances

Sterilization

Medical procedures that permanently eliminate fertility

Principle of double effect

A moral principle allowing actions with both good and bad effects under strict conditions