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Marriage for Life begins by listening to the lived experiences of
Catholic, married, HIV-positive women, in order to better
understand their struggles. The eight women interviewed in Chicago,
Illinois, USA, shared their stories of marriage, of family life, of
church involvement, and of living with HIV. Their candid
reflections offer a fresh and grounded perspective on the
challenges of living with HIV in a US context. After listening to
and learning from these women's experiences, Reimer-Barry
constructs a theology of Christian marriage that is life-giving in
a world with AIDS. While Catholic teachings have developed and now
affirm the equal dignity of women and men, troubling legacies of
women's subordination remain embedded in liturgical practices and
theological texts. Arguing that self-care is an indispensable
component of a healthy marriage, Reimer-Barry constructs a
life-affirming theology of marriage that is sensitive to the
struggles of her collaborators. She argues that marriage for life
must promote the full flourishing of both partners, respect wives
as equal partners with their husbands, and offer a coherent and
empowering sexual ethic. Building on the wisdom of her
collaborators' lived experiences, Reimer-Barry examines the need
for a more adequate Catholic response to HIV and AIDS, arguing that
church communities should promote comprehensive sexual education,
affirm both abstinence and condom use for HIV prevention, and
actively work to reduce stigmatizing behaviors within church
communities. She also unpacks the implications of marriage for life
for Catholic liturgical practice, marriage preparation programs,
sexual education programs, and family ministries. Modeling her
method on what Pope Francis calls the "art of accompaniment,"
Reimer-Barry argues that Catholic theology of marriage must be
renewed and updated so that all can plainly understand that
marriage is for life.
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