Create in Me a Pure Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography

The 10th Anniversary Edition of the bishops’ landmark pastoral response.

Within our culture, pornography is often viewed as acceptable and harmless while the truth is quite the opposite. An offense against chastity and human dignity, pornography causes immense pain for people of all ages, particularly within marriage and family relationships.

Create in Me a Pure Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography seeks to raise awareness about the pervasiveness and harm of pornography. It offers a robust vision to help Catholics heal from the negative effects of pornography and to protect young people from its dangers.

This document from the United States bishops:

• Gives an overview of the Church’s teaching on sexuality, the human person, and chastity
• Explains why pornography is sinful and harmful
• Examines the wide-reaching effects of pornography in our culture
• Looks at the effects of pornography on men, women, young people, and children
• Provides a word of hope and healing to those harmed by pornography
• Includes an appendix with links to additional resources for particular audiences

Create in Me a Pure Heart gives those who struggle with pornography hope that freedom from its grip is possible. It proclaims anew the abundant mercy and healing of God found in Jesus Christ and encourages all Catholics to work toward a culture of purity that upholds the dignity of every person and the sacredness of human sexuality.

This new edition features:

• A newly designed cover with beautiful sacred art
• Colored tabs at the top of each page for easy navigation
• Carefully designed pages to make each page readable, organized, and inviting
• A document summary explaining the intended audience, the document’s origin, and the purpose it seeks to serve within the mission of the Church
• The official text of this work written by the USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth
• A new preface to the 10th Anniversary Edition with a reflection and recommendations offered in light of developments subsequent to the original publication of the document

This edition is part of The USCCB Collection from Ascension, which features official documents from the United States bishops previously published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).