From Tea Plantation to Medical Career
Patricia Weerakoon, a medical doctor from Sri Lanka, has charted an extraordinary journey from a traditional Tamil Christian upbringing on a tea plantation to becoming a renowned sexologist and evangelical Christian writer in Australia. Born into a family that had converted from Hinduism, Patricia was raised with a blend of cultural tradition and a strong Christian faith. Her parents, valuing education, sent her to a Christian boarding school in Colombo, setting her on a path that would eventually lead to a medical degree from the University of Colombo.
Christian Doctor Discovers Divine Calling
Patricia's career took a pivotal turn when she was asked to teach sexual health, a role that led her to pursue further studies under Professor Milton Diamond at the University of Hawaii. It was during this time that Patricia's twin passions for God and sex began to intertwine. As she stated, "God's story, when it comes to gender and sexuality, is a good story. A better story than what culture gives us, and therefore we as Christians have a better story to tell the world."
Professional Persecution for Faith
After moving to Australia with her husband Vasantha, Patricia continued to bridge her faith with her professional expertise. At the University of Sydney, she established an acclaimed postgraduate sexual health course. Yet, her openness about her faith brought her under scrutiny. In 2017, her views on sexuality led to professional challenges, as her university questioned her honorary academic status, and her professional association conducted an ethics investigation.
Integrating Faith and Sexuality Ministry
Despite these trials, Patricia embraced her calling, seeing her ability to merge sexual health knowledge with a biblical framework as a divine vocation. Retiring in 2012, she focused on writing and speaking, addressing topics such as healthy sexuality and gender identity through the lens of faith. Her books, such as *Teen Sex By the Book* and *The Best Sex for Life*, serve as her ministry to the church.
Patricia's work is fueled by her belief that, "We worship a God who created sex and He made it good and like all good things it comes with a purpose and a place where it gives the most pleasure." Her journey demonstrates the harmony between contemporary science and biblical guidance on relationships, encouraging others to live their lives, including their sexuality, to the glory of God. Through her story, Patricia challenges us to integrate faith with our understanding of sexuality, showing that God's design is both beautiful and purposeful.
