The crisis in sexual morality precipitated by the so-called sex- ual revolution of the twentieth century has made the struggle to articulate a healthy sexual ethics a particularly pressing one. Mor- alists warn against premature sexual encounters while sex thera- pists struggle to help people overcome sexual fears and inhi- bitions. The Bible speaks of sexuality as a great gift and blessing of God, while the Church insists on the importance of chastity and self-control.

Moral theologians within the Church no longer appear to speak with a single voice, yet more than ever do they recognize the fundamental importance of a healthy sexuality to the personal and social well-being of humankind. In his book Dr. Hanigan shows how theologians have tried to take seriously the basic goodness of sexuality and to establish guidelines for a healthy and morally sound sexual life. He tells us not only what they are saying about sexual morality, but more importantly why they are saying it. In doing so the book makes clear the surprising degree of con- sensus about a healthy sexual ethics that act midst of often heated debates. in the

James P. Hanigan is a native of New York Colds A.B. and M.A. degrees in history from Fordham Unkersity Pan M. Div. from Woodstock College, and a Ph.D. in religion from Duke Uni versity. He has taught at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Villa Maria College in Erie, Pennsylvania, and is currently Associate Pro fessor of moral theology at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh where he resides with his wife and mother.