Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church's position on sexual sin is that sexual relations are forbidden outside of marriage between an adult married couple: one biological male and one biological female. Premarital sex is considered a mortal sin, and those who do not repent of it will go to Hell. The Catholic Church also disapproves of lust, which is considered one of the seven capital sins. Lust is an excessive and irrational attachment to venereal pleasure, and sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes. The Church also considers artificial contraception a grave sin, as it closes off the procreative aspect of the conjugal act, reducing sex to mere entertainment for pleasure's sake.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sex outside marriage | Considered a grave sin |
| Use of artificial contraception | Considered a grave sin |
| Masturbation | Considered a sin |
| Fornication | Considered a mortal sin |
| Homosexual practices | Considered a sin |
| Adultery | Considered a grave sin |
| Divorce | Considered a grave sin |
| Polygamy | Considered a grave sin |
| Free union | Considered a grave sin |
| Lust | Considered a sin |
| Oral sex | Considered sinful by the Church |
| Premature ejaculation | Not considered a sin |
| Orgasm without ejaculation | Not considered a sin |
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What You'll Learn
Premarital sex is a mortal sin
The Catholic Church considers premarital sex a mortal sin. According to the Catechism, sexual intercourse has a twofold unitive and procreative purpose. It is believed that God designed and created a woman to be equal but different from a man, and that sexual intercourse between a man and a woman is reserved for marriage. This belief is drawn from the creation account of Genesis, where God first creates man in His image, making them male and female.
In Catholic theology, the act of sexual intercourse between a man and a woman is considered an act of love and a gift from God. This act is referred to as the "nuptial act" and is considered chaste only within the context of marriage. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that two partners commit adultery when they have sexual relations while at least one of them is married to another party, defining adultery as an injustice and a transgression of the marriage bond.
Fornication, or premarital sex, is considered a grave sin by the Catholic Church, which calls it "gravely contrary to the dignity of persons and of human sexuality". The Church teaches that acts of fornication are sinful and may exclude unrepentant sinners from Heaven, emphasizing the need for repentance. Scripture states that fornicators will not inherit the Kingdom of God, and that it is a sin that leads to Hell if not repented of.
Additionally, the Catholic Church teaches that acts of fornication can cause harm by spreading serious diseases, encouraging abortion, and leading to single-parent families. The Church calls people to live a chaste life, respecting the dignity of human sexuality and the sacredness of marital love. Chastity involves striving for mastery over feelings and passions, taking responsibility for one's actions, and respecting the sanctity of marriage.
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Homosexual acts are sinful
The Catholic Church's stance on homosexuality is complex and often contentious, with conflicting views between the Church and some in the LGBTQ+ community. While the Church teaches that same-sex attraction is not inherently sinful, it considers homosexual acts to be "grave sins against chastity." This belief is based on the interpretation that all sexual acts must be open to procreation and express the symbolism of male-female complementarity.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, homosexual acts are considered "acts of grave depravity" and are "intrinsically disordered." They are deemed to be contrary to natural law and are believed to hinder the possibility of life being conceived. The Church's teachings on this issue have evolved over time, influenced by papal interventions and theologians, including the early Church Fathers.
In the Bible, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 is often interpreted as a condemnation of homosexual behavior. The men of Sodom demanded that Lot hand over his guests for homosexual intercourse, and as a result, the town was destroyed by fire. Jewish and Christian scholars have traditionally viewed this incident as evidence of God's disapproval of homosexual behavior.
Additionally, in the book of Leviticus, there is an explicit condemnation of homosexual acts: "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination... If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death, their blood is upon them" (Lev. 18:22, 20:13).
The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual persons are called to practice chastity and must be treated with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. While the Church does not approve of same-sex relationships, it emphasizes that unjust discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals should be avoided. The Church's opposition to homosexuality has been a source of controversy, with some gay Catholics throughout history, such as Oscar Wilde and Andy Warhol, navigating the intersection of their Catholicism and homosexuality.
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Masturbation is an offence against love
Catholicism considers sex within marriage to be a sacred act of love between a man and a woman, and a gift from God. According to Catholic doctrine, sex is only considered chaste within the context of marriage. Therefore, any sexual expression sought outside of marriage is considered a grave sin.
Masturbation is considered a sin in Catholic teaching. It is seen as a violation of the Sixth Commandment as it breaks the sacred bond between the love-giving and life-giving aspects of marital intercourse. It is an act of self-gratification that turns a person inwards, away from God and towards themselves. This act of self-indulgence is at odds with the Catholic belief in self-giving, where sex is viewed as a total gift of self, body, and soul to another person.
Thomas Aquinas, a prominent Doctor of the Catholic Church, wrote that masturbation was an "unnatural vice" and a species of lust. He argued that it was less serious than bestiality or sodomy, but still a sin of 'uncleanness'. Similarly, St. Pope John Paul II advised that sexuality should transcend the biological sphere and concern the innermost being of a person.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that masturbation is an "intrinsically and gravely disordered action". It is considered a sin because it reduces sexual pleasure to an end in itself, isolating it from the holistic expression of love between a man and a woman. This view is supported by biblical quotes such as "if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off", which some interpret as referring to masturbation.
Catholic teaching emphasizes the importance of chastity, which means giving sexuality its proper place in life. Masturbation is seen as a threat to chastity as it trains individuals in the habit of self-indulgence and separates the pleasure of orgasm from union with a spouse. It is considered a grave sin, or a mortal sin, as it goes against the sacred nature of sex within Catholic doctrine.
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Lust is a sin
The Catholic Church considers lust to be one of the seven capital sins, with its opposing virtue being chastity. Lust is an inordinate craving for carnal pleasure, which is experienced in the human organs of generation. It is a mortal sin when it is voluntary and fully deliberate.
Lust is considered a sin when it is sought outside of wedlock or in a manner that is contrary to the laws that govern marital intercourse. This is because lust is a distortion of a man's natural procreative drive and desire for love and companionship. It seeks to satisfy the distorted desires of the individual without concern for the other person.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that adultery is committed when either of the partners having sexual relations is married to another party. The biblical quote "But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart" is considered proof that the sins that emanate from lust can be both external and internal.
Thomas Aquinas, one of the most prominent Doctors of the Church, wrote that masturbation was an "unnatural vice" and a species of lust. He argued that masturbation is an offense against love because it makes sexual pleasure an end in itself, isolating it from the holistic unfolding of love between a man and a woman.
Lust is not only a sin in thought but also in action. Acts of fornication (pre-marital sex) and homosexual acts are considered mortal sins by the Catholic Church. These acts are considered to cause great harm as they spread serious diseases, harm marriage and family, lead to abortion, and subject surviving children to single mothers, absent fathers, and a lack of the best environment.
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Artificial contraception is a grave sin
The Catholic Church considers artificial contraception a grave sin. According to the Catechism, sexual expression is considered chaste only within the context of marriage, and it is referred to as the "nuptial act". This act is considered an act of love between two married persons and is considered a gift from God.
The Church's stance against artificial contraception is centuries old. In 1930, Pope Pius XI issued the encyclical Casti Connubii (On Christian Marriage), which spoke of the holiness and dignity of marriage and explicitly stated the Church's teachings against the use of artificial birth control. The encyclical taught that any use of matrimony that deliberately frustrates its natural power to generate life is an offense against the law of God and nature, constituting a grave sin.
The Catholic Church's position on artificial contraception has remained firm, even as other Christian denominations have changed their stance. The mass production and availability of modern contraceptives in the 1920s and 1930s forced the Church to take a public position, defining methods such as condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, douches, suppositories, and spermicides as "artificial" and sinful.
Despite the Church's teachings, many Catholics disagree with the stance on artificial contraception. A 2014 survey found that 98% of sexually active American Catholic women have used contraception other than natural family planning. Some Catholics argue that not using contraceptives to plan family size is irresponsible and that artificial contraception can improve marriages by fostering self-discipline, commitment, and open communication.
The Church, however, emphasizes that sexual pleasure should not be sought in isolation from its procreative and unitive purposes. Lust, or the irrational attachment to venereal pleasure, is considered one of the seven capital sins, with chastity as its opposing virtue. The Church warns against trivializing masturbation and the consumption of lewd media, which can isolate individuals from the holistic unfolding of love within marriage.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, premarital sex is considered a mortal sin in Catholicism. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sexual relations are forbidden except between an adult married couple.
The Bible has various verses that touch on premarital sex. For example, 1 Corinthians 7:2 says, "But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband."
The Catholic Church considers the use of artificial contraception a grave sin, as it reduces sex to entertainment for pleasure's sake, or lust. Other acts considered sins against chastity include masturbation, pornography, and homosexual practices.
Lust is considered one of the seven capital sins in Catholic theology. It is seen as an excessive and irrational attachment to venereal pleasure. The Church disapproves of lust as it represents a pursuit of sexual pleasure for its own sake, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes.
