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Question 

Good morning,

I want make for you a question, hoping I’ll receive a direct response, without your telling me to read the link that you will send me, if you send me it…

I wonder if perversions in general are sins… for example (fetishism).

I know that they are sins because they replace the love of one’s partner, but in the case in which there isn’t this partner, (fetishism) is no more a sin, because (without a partner) it doesn’t replace any type of relation.

Sent by Matteo

Answer from the priest

Dear Matteo,

1. First we must explain what is meant by “fetishism”.

In moral theology “fetishism” means sexual satisfaction or fulfillment by means of an object, in general a piece of clothing, of the loved person.

2. As you see yourself, in fetishism there isn’t any personal relation, at least in a direct way.

However, it’s because of this that it contradicts clearly the meaning of sexuality that, in its intimate structure, is relational and it leads the person to making himself a gift for the loved person.

In fetishism there isn’t this gift.

3. In fact, there is only the subjective satisfaction through the reduction of the loved person to an object of lechery.

This fact happens even without the person, as in the case of fetishism.

4. The first damage or disorder takes place within the subject of the fetishism.

We’re talking about a disorderly use of sexuality and totally antithetic to the project of sanctification that God established about human love and use of sexuality.

5. Fetishism doesn’t lead the person to holiness, but it blocks him in a sensual disarray.

It’s quite the opposite of that internal freedom by means of which we can elevate ourselves, we stay together in God, “we taste the heavenly gift, we share in the holy Spirit and taste the good word of God and the powers of the age to come” (Heb 6,4). 

Fetishism, as any other kind of lust, is inconsistent with tasting the good word of God and the powers of the age to come. 

Therefore, it should be reminded another time what the Holy Spirit says: “The body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. (…)

But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.

Avoid immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the immoral person sins against his own body. 

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body. (1Cor 6, 13.17-20)

While I wish you a lot of internal freedom by means of which you can elevate yourself to God how you want and when you want, I assure you of my remembrance in prayer and I bless you.

Father Angelo