Michael Brooks
Catholicism has a unique approach to sexuality, which is derived from natural law, canonical scripture, and sacred tradition. This means that sex is considered a nuptial act, reserved only for married couples. The Catholic Church teaches that sexuality has a twofold purpose: procreation and unity between spouses. As a result, many young Catholic adults may feel conflicted about engaging in sexual activity outside of marriage. They may also face challenges in navigating modern dating norms, such as casual hook-up culture, and balancing their religious beliefs with their desires. While the Church promotes chastity, it is not considered anti-sex, and Catholics believe that sex is a way for married couples to renew their love.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of sex | Procreation |
| Contraception | Forbidden |
| Masturbation | Sin |
| Homosexuality | Sin |
| Adultery | Sin |
| Marriage | Sacrament |
| Spousal love | Union and transmission of life |
| Lust | Sin |
| Incest | Sin |
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What You'll Learn
Sexual sins
The Catholic Church teaches that sexual intercourse has a twofold unitive and procreative purpose. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "conjugal love aims at a deeply personal unity, a unity that, beyond union in one flesh, leads to forming one heart and soul". Sexual relations of all kinds are forbidden outside of marriage between an adult male and female couple.
The Church also teaches that it is a grave sin to deliberately separate sexuality from procreation, as the latter is its most essential purpose. God created sex for procreation, unity, and the deep fulfillment of human beings. Abortion is considered a mortal sin, and those involved are automatically excommunicated from the Church.
While the Church does not demonize masturbation, it warns against trivializing it, as it can lead to isolation and the consumption of lewd media. Oral sex is also considered a sin, as it violates the Sixth Commandment, "Thou shalt not commit adultery".
It is important to note that the temptation to commit sexual sin is not a sin in itself, according to Catholic teaching. The sin lies in the action, not the desire.
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Marriage and sex
The Catholic Church has always taken a positive view of sexuality in marriage. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, marital intercourse is "noble and honourable", and God intends for "spouses to experience pleasure and enjoyment of body and spirit".
The Church teaches that sexuality has a fundamental purpose, decreed by God: procreation. Marital sexual love is essentially procreative and is by its nature fruitful, generating new life. The Catholic Church considers it a grave sin to deliberately separate sexuality from procreation, as the latter is its most essential purpose.
However, this does not mean that a married couple cannot engage in sexual activities when conception is not possible, such as during a woman's infertile period or after menopause. What is prohibited is the deliberate thwarting of a possible conception during fertile periods, such as through the use of contraception.
The Church does not have a list of "acceptable practices" for married couples. However, chaste and pure sexual love in marriage will always be self-giving and not selfish, and it will deepen the spiritual union between the couple. It will never involve seeing or treating the other person as an object.
In the past, magisterial authorities, including Augustine, denied that one could have sex with their spouse to express love. Instead, they argued that one could and should love their spouse, but sex with them was not because of that love. Today, this view has changed, and Pope John Paul II's "theology of the body" is popular among conservative Catholics for defending traditional Catholic teachings about sex, gender, and family. According to this theology, the human body expresses a fundamental masculinity or femininity that lives at the level of personhood.
Young Catholic millennials are reportedly more accepting of same-sex marriage, gay and lesbian relations, having a baby outside of marriage, divorce, and premarital sex than older practicing Catholics.
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Contraception
The Catholic Church has consistently opposed the use of artificial contraception, citing its intrinsic evil and grave opposition to marital chastity. This stance has been formally expressed by Pope Paul VI in his 1968 encyclical, Humanae Vitae, which states that marital love is fecund and naturally oriented towards the procreation and education of children. The Church's teaching on contraception is based on the inseparable connection between the unitive and procreative significance of the marriage act.
Contraceptive acts, including sterilization, condoms, the withdrawal method, and hormonal birth control, are seen as severing this connection and are, therefore, considered morally unacceptable. The Church affirms that legitimate intentions do not justify the use of such means, as they contradict the good of transmitting life and the reciprocal self-giving of spouses. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#2366) emphasizes that fecundity is a gift and an end of marriage, with children being the supreme gift that contributes to the welfare of their parents.
The Church's position on contraception is rooted in its sincere concerns about the well-being of individuals, society, and the transmission of human life. It fears that the widespread use of contraceptives could lead to a disregard for the physical and psychological well-being of women and a general lowering of moral standards. The Church also highlights the health risks associated with contraceptive drugs, such as an increased risk of blood clots, tumors, strokes, cancers, and STDs.
While the Church opposes artificial contraception, it does not reject all forms of family planning. Natural family planning methods, such as the rhythm method (abstinence during the woman's ovulation period), are permitted as they do not sever the unitive and procreative dimensions of the marriage act. Additionally, hormonal medications for legitimate medical purposes, without contraceptive intent, are not opposed by the Church.
It is worth noting that the Catholic Church's stance on contraception has been a subject of debate, with some Catholics disagreeing with the teachings. The Church's position has also evolved over time, with the arrival of the birth control pill in 1960 creating expectations for a potential shift in the Church's centuries-old opposition to contraception.
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Masturbation
The Catholic Church teaches that masturbation is a "grave sin", or a mortal sin, against the Sixth Commandment. This is because it violates the God-given unbreakable bond between the love-giving and life-giving aspects of the marital act. Instead of uniting a couple, masturbation is a solitary and self-centred act.
The Church's teaching on masturbation is centred on the virtue of chastity, which means giving sexuality its proper place in our lives. Masturbation is seen as a self-indulgent activity that uses the body as a means of personal gratification, instead of integrating one’s gift of sexuality—one’s powers of love and life—into a sincere self-gift to another.
Some biblical scholars have proposed that Jesus refers to masturbation in the Sermon on the Mount, where he says that lust is equivalent to adultery. He also warns about our right eye and right hand causing us to sin, which has been interpreted as referring to lustful thoughts and lustful actions, such as masturbation.
The Catholic Church acknowledges that the force of habit can reduce or eliminate our responsibility for our actions. However, if a person is masturbating and knows fully that it is wrong, and does it willingly without doing anything to resist, then they are guilty of a grave sin.
Some Catholics have shared their personal struggles with the Church's teaching on masturbation. One person shared that they felt empowered when they abstained from masturbation, as it gave them a new outlook on what healthy marital sex could look like. Another person shared that they initially struggled to understand the Church's prohibition of masturbation, but eventually came to see it as a harmful act that caused detachment from their spouse and separation from God.
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Lust
Catholics, like anyone else, navigate their sexual desires and impulses within the framework of their faith and its teachings. For young Catholic adults, this means understanding and managing their sexuality in a way that aligns with Catholic doctrine. At the core of this is the idea that sexual intercourse is a sacred act intended for procreation and the expression of love within the bounds of marriage.
Now, when it comes to lust, the Catholic Church teaches that it is a disordered desire that objectifies others and reduces them to instruments of one's own pleasure. It is considered a sin because it involves an inward-looking, selfish desire that can lead to actions that are contrary to the dignity of another person. However, this does not mean that Catholics are expected to suppress or ignore their sexual urges. Instead, they are taught to recognize and acknowledge their desires and then channel them in a way that upholds the values of their faith.
Young Catholic adults are instructed to cultivate self-control and to develop a deep respect for their own and others' bodies. They are encouraged to view their sexuality as a gift from God and to express their love and desire within the context of a committed, sacramental marriage. This means that premarital sex is considered a sin, as it goes against the idea of reserving sexual intimacy for the marital union.
So, how do young Catholic adults navigate their sexual desires in a healthy way? They are encouraged to develop a strong prayer life and to cultivate a personal relationship with God. Through prayer and reflection, they can better understand their desires and strive to direct them towards virtuous actions. They may also seek guidance from spiritual directors or confessors, who can provide personalized advice and support.
Additionally, young Catholics are often taught to practice chastity, which involves controlling one's sexual urges and channeling them in a positive manner. This may include abstinence, but it also entails developing self-discipline, respecting one's body, and expressing love and affection in non-sexual ways. By doing so, young adults can foster meaningful relationships and express their sexuality in a manner that aligns with their faith.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church teaches that sex is a gift from God and is considered chaste only within the context of marriage. It is believed that God created sex for procreation and for unity. Sex is also believed to be a way for a married couple to renew their love.
The Catechism lists several transgressions and sins against chastity, including masturbation, fornication, pornography, homosexual practices, adultery, divorce, polygamy, and free union.
The Catholic Church disapproves of contraception as it deliberately separates sexuality from procreation, which is considered a grave sin. Natural Family Planning is encouraged, where Catholics abstain from sex during a woman's fertile periods.
Premarital sex is prohibited as marriage is considered a total commitment before God, the community, and the family. It is believed that when a couple gets married, they assume responsibility for their relationship and the consequences of having sex.
