Joshua Bennett
Catholicism has long held that the primary purpose of sex is procreation, with the unitive aspect being secondary. This teaching is based on the belief that marriage is a sacrament and that children are the supreme gift of marriage. According to Catholic doctrine, a couple must be open to having children, and while they are not required to intend to conceive a child during every act of intercourse, they may never actively impede the procreative function of sex. However, the Church also teaches that infertility does not invalidate a marriage, and that couples unable to have children can still have a meaningful conjugal life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic Church's view on contraception | The Catholic Church has historically opposed contraception and considers its use a grave sin |
| Marriage in the Catholic Church | Marriage is considered a sacrament, and the Catechism asserts "the three goods of marriage": indissolubility, faithfulness, and fertility |
| Infertility and impotence | Infertility does not prevent a person from validly entering into marriage. Impotence, however, invalidates marriage as it prevents the physical consummation of the marriage |
| Procreation and sex | Sex is considered primarily for procreation, and any deliberate frustration of its procreative function is against the Church's teachings |
| Natural family planning (NFP) | NFP is allowed as it does not frustrate nature's design for sex; couples can have intercourse during the woman's infertile periods without intending to conceive |
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What You'll Learn
Natural family planning (NFP)
The Catholic Church supports the methods of Natural Family Planning (NFP) because they respect God's design for married love. NFP is an umbrella term for various inexpensive methods of charting a woman's natural fertility signs. It is a natural and effective approach to family planning that works with a couple's fertility, not against it. It can be used to both achieve and avoid pregnancy.
NFP reflects the dignity of the human person within the context of marriage and family life, and promotes openness to life and the gift of the child. It is not contrary to nature because it in no way frustrates nature's design for sex. It is nature's doing that the woman doesn’t conceive during her infertile period. Since sexual intercourse during infertile periods is in agreement with nature’s design for sex, it is in agreement with God’s will, for God’s will is expressed in the order of nature.
The Church teaches that the sexual act itself must always have its intrinsic ordering toward the generation of children. What this means is that the couple can never do anything to intentionally thwart the procreative end of sex, since procreation is what sex is for. To do so would be to violate human nature, and thus to violate God’s will.
NFP differs from contraception, which is considered a serious sin. NFP fosters respect for and acceptance of the total person and calls for shared responsibility and cooperation by husband and wife. It inspires spousal communication and has no harmful side effects.
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Marriage and infertility
The Catechism of the Catholic Church recognises the suffering of infertile couples and states that they can still have a meaningful conjugal life:
> Spouses to whom God has not granted children can nevertheless have a conjugal life full of meaning, in both human and Christian terms. Their marriage can radiate a fruitfulness of charity, of hospitality, and of sacrifice. (#1654)
Catholic teaching holds that procreation and unity are the two natural ends of marriage, and both of these ends are fulfilled in the sexual act. However, the Church distinguishes between impotence and infertility, with the former being an impediment to marriage. Impotence refers to the physical inability to have sexual intercourse, while infertility is the inability to conceive a child.
Pope Pius XI taught in 1930 that if a couple has just reasons for not having children at a particular time, they may express their love through sexual intercourse during the woman's infertile periods. This practice, known as natural family planning (NFP), is considered in agreement with nature's design for sex and, therefore, God's will.
The Church provides theological and pastoral directives on how to approach infertility in accordance with the dignity of the human person and reverence for God as the creator of life. While infertility is a challenging issue, Catholic doctrine maintains that infertile couples can remain open to life and find meaning in their marriages through charity, hospitality, and sacrifice.
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The three goods of marriage
Catholicism teaches that procreation and the rearing of children are the primary ends of sex, with the unitive aspect being secondary. According to the Church, the sexual act itself must always retain its intrinsic ordering toward the generation of children. However, this does not mean that a couple must intend to conceive a child during every act of sexual intercourse, as long as they do not actively impede the procreative nature of the act.
Now, here are the three goods of marriage:
- Indissolubility/Permanence: Marriage is a permanent and unbreakable bond of love, providing a stable home and a sense of belonging to both partners. This idea of permanence is reflected in the vows exchanged during the marriage ceremony, where the couple pledges their total and unconditional love for each other.
- Fidelity/Faithfulness: This refers to being faithful and loyal to one's spouse, both sexually and otherwise. It involves sticking with one's partner through life's challenges and joys, reflecting God's unwavering love for humanity.
- Fruitfulness/Openness to Offspring: While procreation is not the sole good of marriage, it is one of its essential aspects. The Catechism states that a couple's marriage can radiate a fruitfulness of charity, hospitality, and sacrifice, even if they are unable to conceive children. Nevertheless, the openness to the possibility of having children is a distinguishing factor of the marital covenant.
These "goods" are not just abstract concepts but are physically expressed when a couple consummates their marriage, uniting in an act of conjugal love.
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Contraception and sin
The Catholic Church has always maintained a critical perspective on the use of contraception, deeming it a sin to intentionally prevent new human beings from coming into existence. This belief is rooted in the interpretation of the Bible, specifically the book of Genesis, where God commands mankind to "be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it". The Church teaches that the primary end of sex is procreation, and any act must always retain its intrinsic ordering toward the generation of children.
The Church's stance on contraception is further supported by the writings of early Church Fathers, such as Clement of Alexandria and Hippolytus of Rome, who recognised the biblical and natural law principles underlying the condemnation of birth control. The apostolic tradition's view of contraception is so strong that it was even followed by Protestants until 1930. Notable Protestant Reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin also spoke out against the use of contraception, with Luther going so far as to say that it was "a most disgraceful sin".
Despite the Church's teachings, some Catholics disagree with its stance on contraception. The increased availability of contraceptives has shifted societal attitudes toward pregnancy and children, with pregnancy now seen as something that can be controlled, and children sometimes viewed as inconveniences rather than "gifts from God". Additionally, the use of contraceptives has been linked to the solidification of the image of women as sex objects, and the increase in single mothers living in poverty.
However, the Church does allow for natural family planning (NFP), where couples may express their love through sexual intercourse during the woman's infertile periods. This method is in agreement with nature's design for sex and, therefore, God's will. It is important to note that while the Church condemns the use of contraception, it does not consider infertility an impediment to marriage. Spouses who cannot conceive children can still have a meaningful conjugal life, expressing their love and commitment to each other.
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Marriage and procreation
However, the Church also acknowledges that there may be just reasons for a couple to avoid procreation at a particular time. In such cases, the Church approves of natural family planning (NFP), where sexual intercourse occurs during the woman's infertile periods. This method is considered acceptable as it does not frustrate nature's design for sex and leaves the possibility of procreation open.
The Church teaches that a couple must be open to life and accept children as a gift from God. If a couple consciously intends never to have children, their marriage is considered invalid in the eyes of the Church. However, infertility or childbearing age does not invalidate a marriage. The Code of Canon Law states, "Sterility neither prohibits nor invalidates marriage." The Catechism expresses compassion for infertile couples, stating that their marriage can still be full of meaning and radiate a fruitfulness of charity, hospitality, and sacrifice.
While the Church emphasizes the importance of procreation within marriage, it is not the sole purpose. Marriage is also about the union of two people in a sacramental bond, expressing their conjugal love for each other. Nevertheless, the Church's stance on procreation and marriage significantly influences the lives of Catholic couples, who must navigate their decisions about family planning within the framework of these teachings.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church teaches that the primary purpose of sex is procreation. However, couples are allowed to have sex during the woman's infertile periods, as this is considered natural family planning (NFP). While the Church views children as the supreme gift of marriage, infertility does not prevent a person from validly entering into marriage.
According to the Catholic Church, a couple that intends to exclude children renders their marriage invalid. However, if a couple simply wants to delay having children, that does not affect the validity of their marriage.
Yes, the Church acknowledges that there may be just reasons for a couple to avoid having children at a particular time, such as mental distress or financial constraints. In such cases, the couple is allowed to practice natural family planning by having sex during the woman's infertile periods.
