In his Encyclical Deus caritas est, Benedict XVI criticizes the interested sexual act (§ 5). However, he praises any sexual love - eros - practiced with disinterest as tending toward divine love. In his entire encyclical there is no reference to the Catholic teaching that such sexual love should be practiced only within matrimony.
This omission seems to be an approval of any sexual act that is practiced, not for some reason of self-interest, but "for the good of the other." It is a clear personalist and liberal statement, which should be noted and stressed.
Below, the cover of Origins, official organ of the U.S.Conference of Catholic Bishops, which, in its issue of February 2, 2006 (volume 35, number 33), offers the English translation of that papal document. The texts highlighted in yellow are particularly expressive. We are reproducing page 544.
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