God’s Way is the Best Way

Fr Witold Brymora
Published privately, 2010

This book by an Australian priest is an unusual collection of reflection set in the context of Pope John Paul’s Theology of the Body. Some reflections are firmly based in a discussion on the nature of sexuality, gender and sex. These reflect the notion of complimentarity favoured by Pope John Paul. This notion is challenged by some today because it often places the man as the strong one and the woman as the one receiving protection from the man and the man is the one who might need emotional support from the woman. The author argues for a more open attitude to sex and sexuality because it is God’s good design and in his closing remarks notes the book is meant to assist to remove the “ancient bolder of fear of sexuality” (p90) While he claims that not all trespassing in the sexual sphere is mortal sin (p88), there is a healthy amount of judgementalism in this book around what he sees as unnatural sexuality especially on gender roles and homosexuality. Today these are normally seen as issues of psychology and identity, not morality.

More interesting, I found, were the reflections on the sexual trials of priests. Brymora includes reflections on lonliness, healthy companionship with woman and being wrongfully accused of sexual abuse. These are carefully written to explore various insights into these conflicted areas of priestly life. The author notes these are not autobigraphical but they are written engagingly in the first person.

An interesting volume of short reflections but sometimes confusing where the use of the disciplines of spirituality, psychology and morality left this reader wishing for a little more up to date insight and research when dealing with such sensitive topics. In Brymora’s defence, he claims no more than that these be read as random reflections.

For information about obtaining copies contact Witold on (02) 8544 0201 or witoldjmj@optusnet.com.au