Sarah Mitchell
The Catholic Church teaches that sexual intercourse has a twofold unitive and procreative purpose. Sex is considered chaste only within the context of marriage and is referred to as the nuptial act, an act of love between two married persons and a gift from God. The Bible also supports this view, with verses such as Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. However, there are differing opinions within the Church on the nature and severity of sexual sins, with some priests expressing more lenient views on premarital sex. Nevertheless, the official teaching of the Catholic Church remains that sex outside of marriage is a grave sin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic view on sex in marriage | Considered chaste when it retains the twofold significance of union and procreation |
| Catholic view on sex outside of marriage | Sexual expression sought outside of marriage is considered a grave sin |
| Catholic view on contraception | Condemned as intrinsically evil |
| Catholic view on premarital sex | Considered a mortal sin |
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What You'll Learn
Sex in marriage is not a 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", since the marriage bond is to be a sign of the love between God and humanity.
Because Catholics believe God found everything he created to be "very good", the Catholic Church teaches that the human body and sex must likewise be good. Every person is created in the image of God and therefore has great dignity, including their sexuality. Sexuality is not something that exists with a purely biological purpose defined by personal preference; rather, it is an intimate nucleus of the person that spiritually is designed by God to unite man and woman as one flesh.
Sex within marriage is considered chaste when it retains the twofold significance of union and procreation. Pope John Paul II wrote: "At the center of the spirituality of marriage, therefore, there lies chastity not only as a moral virtue (formed by love) but likewise as a virtue connected with the gifts of the Holy Spirit—above all, the gift of respect for what comes from God".
The Catholic Church considers sexual expression outside of marriage, as well as the use of artificial contraception within marriage, to be grave sins. The Church holds that the legal separation of spouses while maintaining the marriage bond can be legitimate in certain cases provided for by canon law.
While premarital sex is considered a sin in the Catholic faith, God is understanding and merciful, recognizing that sex is a powerful desire. The Bible states, "But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband" (Cor. 7:2). This highlights that God understands our needs and encourages marriage as the appropriate context for sexual intimacy.
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Premarital sex is 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 love between God and humanity.
Premarital sex is considered a mortal sin in Catholicism. The Bible states that "fornicators will not inherit the Kingdom of God". Those who do not repent of this sin will go to Hell. The Bible also states that "it is good for them to remain single...but if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion". God wants abstinence for people who are not committed.
Fornication is the most common biblical word for premarital sex, and it is considered a grave sin. It offends God, harms children and the family, spreads disease, encourages abortion, and is an injustice against children and society. It also dishonours marriage and merits strong punishment.
The Catholic Church defines chastity as the virtue that moderates sexual appetite. It refers to the successful integration of sexuality within the person. Chastity is a virtue connected with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as the gift of respect for what comes from God. Unmarried Catholics express chastity through sexual abstinence.
The Catholic Church continues to teach that sexual love between a man and a woman is reserved for marriage. This teaching is found in the creation account of Genesis, where God creates man in His image, making them male and female. God blesses them, saying, "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it". Before expressing their love, a man and a woman are first blessed by God.
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Sexual intercourse has a two-fold purpose
The Catholic Church teaches that sexual intercourse has a twofold purpose: to unite and to procreate. 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". This unity is a reflection of the love between God and humanity, and the belief that God found everything he created to be "very good", including the human body and sex.
The first purpose, then, is to unite. This unity is a spiritual one, designed by God to unite a man and a woman as "one flesh". This unity is so profound that it reflects the relationship between God and humanity. It is a gift from God, an act of love between two married persons. As such, sexual intercourse outside of marriage is considered a sin, as it violates the sacred nature of the marital union.
The second purpose is procreation. The Catholic Church teaches that marriage acts must be both unitive and procreative. This belief leads to the Church's stance against artificial contraception, as the deliberate frustration of the procreative function of sexual expression within marriage is considered a grave sin.
The twofold purpose of sexual intercourse in Catholic theology underscores the importance of chastity, which is defined as the successful integration of sexuality within the person. For unmarried Catholics, chastity is expressed through sexual abstinence, while for married couples, sexual intercourse is considered chaste when it retains the twofold significance of union and procreation.
While interpretations of sexual morality may vary based on cultural, personal, and religious beliefs, the Catholic Church's teachings on the twofold purpose of sexual intercourse remain consistent. These teachings guide Catholics in their understanding of the sacred nature of marriage and the role of sexuality within it.
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Adultery is a grave offense
The Catholic Church considers sex within marriage to be a chaste and holy act, and sexual intercourse outside of marriage to be a grave sin. Adultery, which is defined as carnal intercourse between a married person and someone other than their spouse, is considered a grave offense against the dignity of marriage.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, adultery is an injustice and a transgression of the rights of the other spouse. It undermines the institution of marriage by breaking the contract on which it is based and compromises the good of human generation and the welfare of children. Adultery is seen as an injury to the covenant of the marriage bond, which is considered sacred and a sign of the love between God and humanity.
The Bible also condemns adultery, with Christ forbidding it absolutely. The prophets in the Bible denounce the gravity of adultery, seeing it as an image of the sin of idolatry. The Bible states that God will judge adulterers and all the sexually immoral.
The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a sacred institution created by God, and that adultery is a violation of the marriage covenant. Adultery is considered a grave sin because it goes against the moral values of conjugal love and openness to life, which are intrinsic to the human person. Adultery is not only a physical act but can also be committed through lustful thoughts and desires, which are considered sinful in themselves.
While adultery is a grave offense, the Catholic Church also teaches that there is always hope for forgiveness and salvation through sincere confession and repentance. God is full of mercy and compassion for sinners and will forgive those who come to Him with a humble and contrite heart.
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Contraception is condemned by the Church
The Catholic Church has long opposed the use of contraceptives, and many consider it to be clinging to outdated and oppressive beliefs. However, the Church's stance is based on its interpretation of Scripture and its understanding of the purpose of sexual intercourse.
The Bible mentions at least one form of contraception, coitus interruptus, and condemns it. In Genesis 38:8–10, Onan is killed for spilling his semen on the ground instead of fulfilling his duty to father children for his dead brother. This act is considered a crime against his brother-in-law, and it displeases the Lord. Early Church Fathers, such as Clement of Alexandria and Hippolytus of Rome, also made statements condemning contraception.
The Catholic Church teaches that sexual intercourse has a twofold purpose: unitive and procreative. 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". The marriage bond is seen as a sign of the love between God and humanity. As such, the Church believes that the use of artificial contraception "deliberately frustrates" the procreative function of sexual expression within marriage and is, therefore, a grave sin.
The Church's stance on contraception has remained firm even as other Protestant institutions have relaxed their prohibitions. In 1930, the Roman Catholic Church officially banned any artificial means of birth control, and subsequent Popes have echoed this teaching. While the arrival of the birth control pill in 1960 led to speculation about a potential shift in the Church's position, it has not wavered.
The Church's unwavering stance on contraception has been a source of debate, with many Catholics disagreeing with its teachings. However, the Church maintains that its position is based on moral and theological principles, and it continues to condemn the use of contraceptives as sinful.
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Frequently asked questions
No, sex within marriage is not a sin in the Catholic Church. According to Catholic theology, sex is considered chaste only within the context of marriage. It is referred to as the “nuptial act”, representing the union of a man and a woman through sexual intercourse, and is viewed as a gift from God.
The Catholic Church considers sex outside of marriage a grave sin. This includes premarital sex, adultery, and sexual expression sought outside of marriage or deliberately frustrating the procreative function, such as using artificial contraception.
The Catholic Church teaches that sexual intercourse has a twofold unitive and procreative purpose. Sex is reserved for marriage as it represents the exclusive love and lifelong commitment between a husband and wife, bringing them closer together ("become one flesh") and creating children. Premarital sex is considered impure and a violation of God's rules, while adultery is seen as an injury to the covenant of the marriage bond.
