A relação saúde-doença e a sexualidade na vida presbiteral

Abstract

Sexuality is a topic whose discussion, although resonant in different areas of society, still finds it difficult to for a true dialogue. In the clerical environment, the discussion becomes more restricted, since in the training of priests the subject of sexuality is treated from the perspective of the celibate institution. Nowadays, there are high rates of illnesses, especially of a psycho-affective nature, among priests, and we suspect that some of these forms of illness may be related to the issue of the discourse/silencing of sexuality. The empirical research, with a qualitative approach, included the participation of sixteen diocesan Catholic priests belonging to the Ecclesiastical Province of Uberaba (MG), which comprises the dioceses of Uberaba, Uberlandia, Patos de Minas and Ituiutaba. Data analysis was based on the relationship between the thematic ideas, the participants' statements, the authors' concepts and the researcher's inferences. Franklian theory calls us to the desire for meaning and a spirituality that leads human being to choices, rather than to an incessant search for balance constantly confused with control. Foucault tops up that, in modern times, there was not silence but an incitement to talk about sex, however as something associated with sin and the mysterious, which caused the distancing of human's being from its own sexuality. After analyzing the empirical data in the light of the Sciences of religion, we found that it is possible to establish relationships between health-disease and the ways in which sexuality is conveyed and experienced in priestly life. The impressions reported by the participants can configure real situations of well-being and integration of these categories but also shifts in life and pastoral mission in an attempt to stifle and hide the acceptance of sexuality seen as an evil. Priests want to talk about the subject, but they still encounter a lot of resistance and fear, both in the spheres of the institution and also in their personal dealings and among pairs, with very fragile relationships, especially when they involve spheres of power. These results point us to paths to be followed in order to encourage the opening of the discussion of sexuality in the clerical environment, through new alternatives that promote the appreciation of the acceptance of weaknesses and the culture of priestly trust