Human sexuality flows from a person's unique and unrepeatable identity and vocation as a being created in the image of God. Human persons, as images of God, are both physical and spiritual beings. They are both embodied spirits, and inspirited bodies. God is imaged in the two equally dignified ways of being human: male and female. Together, women and men are called to reflect God's presence and action in the world in a creative covenant of love.

Sexuality is grounded in, and gives expression to, the human need to love and be loved and the longing to generate new life out of this mutual loving. This mutual loving and the new life that flows from it are considered signs of God's presence and action in the world.

Healthy Christian sexuality concerns the whole person—the integration of body, heart, mind and spirit. Each of these aspects of the whole person is good and each deserves respect, care and nurturing. The virtue of prudence entails making careful, informed and deliberate choices. Chastity involves controlling one's sexual desires out of respect for oneself and others as both bodily and spiritual beings. Prudence and chastity are important keys to healthy sexuality, healthy personhood and loving, and just and safe relationships. Consequently, genital sexual intimacy finds its true expression in the commitment of marriage, open to the generation of new human life.