Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church teaches that sexual intercourse has a twofold unitive and procreative purpose. It is considered a gift from God, designed to unite a man and a woman in marriage. As such, the Church considers sexual expression outside of marriage or the deliberate frustration of procreation within marriage, such as the use of contraception, to be grave sins. This includes premarital sex, referred to as fornication, which is considered a mortal sin that leads to spiritual death and separation from God. Other sexual sins listed in the Catechism include lust, voyeurism, masturbation, homosexuality, polygamy, and abortion, which results in automatic excommunication. While the Church emphasizes sexual morality, it also acknowledges God's mercy and forgiveness for those who repent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sexual intercourse outside of marriage | Considered a grave sin |
| Sexual intercourse within marriage | Not considered a sin |
| Masturbation | Considered a sin |
| Pornography | Considered a sin |
| Homosexuality | Considered a sin |
| Abortion | Considered a mortal sin |
| Sexual desire | Not a sin, but acting on it is |
| Temptation | Not a sin |
| Oral sex | Prohibited even for married couples |
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What You'll Learn
Sex before marriage is considered a mortal sin
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", signifying the sacredness of the marriage bond as a sign of the love between God and humanity.
Because of the sacredness of marriage, the Catholic Church considers sex before marriage a mortal sin. The Bible has various verses that touch on premarital sex, with Paul writing in Corinthians 7:8-9, "To the unmarried and the widows, I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion." This highlights the importance of abstinence for those who are not married.
The Bible also provides clear warnings against sexual immorality, with passages such as Galatians 5:19-21 stating, "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Additionally, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 states, "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies." These verses emphasize the seriousness of sexual sins, including premarital sex, and the importance of honoring God with one's body.
Fornication, which is the biblical term for premarital sex, is considered a grave sin that may exclude unrepentant sinners from Heaven. The usual conditions for mortal sin, including grave matter, sufficient reflection, and full consent of the will, apply to fornication. However, it is important to remember that God is merciful and forgiving towards those who come to Him with a humble and contrite heart.
While it is a struggle to fight against sexual desire, God provides guidance and forgiveness. Acts 10:43 states, "Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name." This reminds believers that God's grace and forgiveness are available to those who repent and seek a deeper connection with Him.
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Homosexuality is a sin
The Catholic Church's stance on homosexuality is complex and multifaceted. While the Church teaches that sexual intercourse has a twofold unitive and procreative purpose within marriage between a man and a woman, it also acknowledges the inherent dignity of all individuals, including their sexuality.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, homosexual acts are considered "intrinsically immoral and contrary to natural law." The Church teaches that homosexuality is an objective disorder and a "tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil." This belief is based on the interpretation of certain passages in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, which is seen as irrelevant and not directly applicable by some modern Catholics.
However, it is important to note that the Catholic Church does not consider homosexual orientation or inclination as sinful in itself. The Church teaches that "homosexual persons are called to chastity" and should be "accepted with respect and sensitivity," avoiding any form of unjust discrimination. This distinction between homosexual orientation and homosexual acts reflects a nuanced view within the Church.
Despite this distinction, the Church's negative attitude toward homosexuality has had significant implications for LGBTQ+ individuals within the Catholic community. Many LGBTQ+ Catholics struggle to reconcile their sexual identity with their religious beliefs, often feeling depressed, isolated, and conflicted. Some choose to leave the Church, while others find themselves rejected by certain parishes or struggling with internalized negative feelings about their sexual orientation.
In recent years, there have been calls for greater acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals within the Catholic Church. Pope Francis's famous "Who am I to judge?" comment, for example, has been interpreted as a more neutral stance on homosexuality, although it is not official church teaching. Additionally, organizations like DignityUSA work for respect and justice for LGBTQ+ Catholics, and lay groups like Catholics for Marriage Equality have advocated for marriage equality and the inclusion of sexual orientation in civil rights protections.
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Masturbation is a sin
The Catholic Church considers masturbation to be a sin. It is deemed "an intrinsically and gravely disordered action" and a mortal sin. This is because it violates the sacredness of the marital act, which is intended to unite a man and a woman in love and potentially bring new life. Masturbation, on the other hand, is a solitary act of self-gratification that does not serve the procreative purpose of sex.
The Sixth Commandment, as interpreted by the Church, forbids masturbation because it breaks the God-given bond between love and life-giving in the marital act. It is seen as a selfish act that uses the body for personal pleasure rather than integrating one's sexuality into a sincere gift to another. This view is supported by the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus equates lustful thoughts and actions with adultery.
Some biblical scholars interpret Jesus' reference to the "right hand" causing sin as a condemnation of masturbation. This interpretation is based on the belief that the “right hand” refers to "all we hold dear", including our actions and choices. Masturbation is also considered contrary to the natural law, which in Catholic teaching refers to the use of reason to deduce moral behaviour from God's creation.
The Church acknowledges that sexual desire is a powerful force and that abstinence can be challenging. However, it teaches that God provides grace and support to overcome sinful desires, such as through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharist. While the Church condemns masturbation as a sin, it also emphasizes compassion for those who struggle with it, especially during puberty.
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Contraception is a sin
Contraception is considered a sin in the Catholic Church. The Church has always maintained that it is intrinsically wrong to use contraception to prevent new human beings from coming into existence. This is because the Church believes that the human body and sex are good, as God found everything he created to be "very good".
The Bible does not explicitly mention contraception, but it is believed that the act of birth control is condemned in Scripture. For instance, in A.D. 195, Clement of Alexandria wrote, “Because of its divine institution for the propagation of man, the seed is not to be vainly ejaculated, nor is it to be damaged, nor is it to be wasted”. The Church Fathers also recognised the biblical and natural law principles underlying the condemnation of contraception.
The use of contraceptives is seen as compromising the values of the conjugal act, such as life, love, fidelity, and solidarity. It is considered an "intrinsically immoral" action and is thus never permissible for any reason or purpose. This belief was also held by Protestants until 1930 and was upheld by key Protestant Reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin.
The availability of contraceptives has been linked to a shift in how children are viewed, from "gifts from God" to inconveniences or trophies. It has also been associated with an increase in single motherhood, abortion, and a decline in family values.
While the use of contraceptives is considered a sin, the Catholic Church also recognises the importance of responsible family planning. The Church promotes natural family planning methods that work with a couple's fertility rather than against it.
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Abortion is a mortal sin
The Catholic Church considers procured abortion a mortal sin and an intrinsic evil. This teaching has been affirmed by the Church since the first century and remains unchangeable. It is viewed as a violation of the Sixth Commandment, "Thou shalt not kill", and is considered a crime against human life, dignity, and freedom. The Church holds that human life must be respected and protected from the moment of conception, and that abortion is the murder of an unborn person.
The Church's stance on abortion is based on the belief that human life is sacred and begins at conception. This belief is supported by modern genetics, which demonstrates that the union of a sperm and egg creates a distinct human life with the potential to develop into a fetus, infant, child, and adult. The Church's teaching on abortion is not influenced by secular laws or societal norms but is rooted in its interpretation of Scripture and the belief in the sanctity of life.
While the Church considers abortion a grave sin, it also recognizes God's mercy and grace for those who seek forgiveness. The Church teaches that abortion is never justified, regardless of the circumstances, and that it is the duty of Catholics to protect innocent human life. However, the Church makes a distinction between abortion and medical procedures that indirectly result in the death of a fetus, such as the removal of a cancerous womb.
The Church's position on abortion has been a divisive issue, especially in the context of the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision in the United States, which prohibited states from outlawing abortion. While some argue for abortion rights and consider it a private medical decision, others, including the Catholic Church, align with the "pro-life" perspective, believing that abortion is the killing of unborn children.
The Church's teachings on abortion are clear and unwavering, and it actively opposes abortion through public statements and actions. The Church's position is that abortion is a grave sin that violates the sanctity of human life, and it encourages Catholics to uphold the dignity of human life from conception onwards.
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Frequently asked questions
Sex within a marriage between a man and a woman is not considered a sin in Catholicism. In fact, it is considered an act of love and a gift from God.
Yes, premarital sex is considered a mortal sin in Catholicism.
According to Catholic teaching, sexual sins include lust, voyeurism, masturbation, contraception, fornication, homosexuality, polygamy, polyamory, pederasty, pedophilia, rape, sodomy, and bestiality.
The Catholic Church considers abortion the murder of innocent human life and a mortal sin.
No, according to Catholic teaching, sexual temptation is not a sin. Temptation and sin are two different things.
