Nature & Animals Quote by Francis Arinze

Francis Arinze draws attention to the significance of upholding human dignity within marital intimacy. He emphasizes that sexual satisfaction between married partners should not simply be pursued for its own sake, disconnected from deeper human values. While sexual relations are a natural aspect of marriage, Arinze insists that they are meaningful only when they respect the personal character and inherent worth of both husband and wife. Humanity possesses unique qualities, reason, will, and the capacity to love, that distinguish individuals from animals, whose actions are guided solely by instinct and biological urges.

Arinze’s words serve as a reminder that genuine fulfillment in marriage stems from more than just physical gratification. When sexual relations ignore the personal dimension of each spouse, reducing exchange to mere bodily function, they lose an essential component of true love and unity. Sexuality, in this context, finds its fullest expression when integrated with mutual respect, self-giving, and recognition of each other's dignity. The marital act, therefore, is not a purely biological event, but a deeply human encounter intended to strengthen the bonds of the couple.

Degrading the act to a level that disregards personal qualities runs the risk of alienation, objectification, and loss of intimacy. Each spouse must approach the other as a whole person to be cherished, not an object for exclusive personal pleasure. In doing so, marriage becomes a living expression of selfless love, in contrast to relationships rooted solely in lust or immediacy of desire. Arinze’s perspective challenges couples to examine their motives, inviting them to foster a love that uplifts both partners, encouraging growth and intimacy on every level, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Thus, sexual satisfaction is rightfully harmonious only when it honors the totality of the person and the sacredness of the marital bond.