. VIII. SEXUALITY WITHIN HUMAN MATU

. VIII. SEXUALITY WITHIN HUMAN MATURITY
Human beings are sexual beings. Sexuality is a fundamental component of personality, one of its modes of being, of manifestation, of communicating with others, of feeling, of expressing and of living human love (Pontifical Council for the Family, 1995).
Our sexuality is essential to our becoming fully human (Coleman, 1992). We are profoundly affected by our sexuality. It is one of the factors which give to each individual's life the principal traits that distinguish it. Our relatedness with self, with others, with God and with reality is coloured by who we are as man or woman. Sexuality and human maturity are intrinsically connected. Therefore, being a mature woman or man assumes unique forms and diverse expressions. In the process of acquiring human maturity, the central task our sexuality imposes on us is that of integration.