Chastity is the answer in a sex-mad world

I WISH to congratulate Fr Eamonn McCarthy (Letters, August 30) for his courage in publicly promoting chastity in our sex-mad, hedonistic world.

There are such things as self-control, chastity, and purity.

These are virtues which adults should be passing on to teenagers and older children.

However, if one is to avoid falling into the category of “hypocrite” and to be able to teach these values convincingly, then it’s obvious adults must practice what they preach. And therein, I expect, lies much of the problem.

There has never been anything of great value in this world that could be had without some level of effort, control, sacrifice.

This in itself tells us the notion of “use a condom” and “free love” is a sham. Most people know cervical cancer is caused by the HPV virus, and this is only caught by having multiple sexual partners. Therefore, outside marriage stay celibate and within marriage stay faithful. Should a girl approach marriage with a man who has become a carrier because he “sowed his wild oats” and will now live with the virus forever (a high price, wouldn’t you say?). In such a case getting the cervical cancer vaccine may be the risk she will have to pay for his foolishness.

Caitriona Connolly

Richmond

Templemore

Co Tipperary