Catholic priest writes divine sex guide

A book written by a priest, which offers theological and practical advice on sex for married couples, has become a best-seller in Poland.

In 'Sex as you don't know it: for married couples who love God' - Franciscan Father Ksawery Knotz says he wants to sweep away the fears and strait-laced attitudes which many people have. Sex in marriage, he said, should not be boring but "saucy, surprising and fantasy packed".

The book, which has been dubbed the 'Catholic Kama Sutra', has the blessing of the Catholic Church in Poland. The St Paul's publishing house are now rushing to print a second edition after the first one sold out within weeks.

Father Knotz who lives in a monastery of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin in Stalowa Wola, southern Poland. writes: "Some people, when they hear about the holiness of married sex, immediately imagine that such sex has to be deprived of joy, frivolous play, fantasy and attractive positions."

"They think it has to be sad like a traditional church hymn... But every act, caress, or sexual position that has the goal of arousal is permitted and pleases God. During sexual intercourse, married couples can show their love in every way, can offer one another the most sought-after caresses."

Father Knotz writes that sex is an important way for a husband and wife to express their love and grow closer to God.

"Married couples celebrate their sacrament, their life with Christ also during sex," he writes.

"Calling sex a celebration of the sacrament of marriage raises its dignity in an exceptional way. Such a statement shocks people who learned to look at sexuality in a bad way. It is difficult for them to understand that God is also interested in their happy sex life and in this way gives them his gift."

Fr Knotz goes on to stress that his book is completely in line with Church teaching. He discourages the use of contraceptives, saying they "lead a married couple outside of Catholic culture and into a completely different lifestyle".

Some critics have questioned whether a celibate priest would be competent enough to write about sex. But Fr Knotz says his knowledge comes from years of counselling married couples. He also runs retreats for couples which are always booked out.

"I look at it this way: you don't have to have a heart condition to be a cardiologist and you don't have to be an alcoholic to work as a therapist," he said.

Fr Knotz explains he was originally inspired by the open atmosphere of his family home and the early teachings of late Polish-born Pope John Paul II who broached the subject of sexuality in his book 'Love and Responsibility', first published in 1960.

"The Holy Father's 'theology of the body' and other philosophical and theological works delve deeply into the divinity of sexual relations in marriage. I'm just making these complex ideas more accessible to average Catholics," he said.