Michael Brooks
The Catholic Church teaches that sex has two purposes: procreation and unity between spouses. The Church believes that sex is a gift from God and that it should only be practised within marriage. While the Church prohibits the use of contraception, it does not consider natural family planning (NFP) or restricting sexual activity to times when conception is unlikely as sinful. The Church's teachings on sexuality are based on the belief that God designed sex for procreation and unity, and that following these guidelines leads to happiness and fulfilment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of sex | Procreation and unity of spouses |
| Contraception | Prohibited |
| Sex outside marriage | Prohibited |
| Chastity | Moderation of sexual appetite |
| Sex during menopause | Allowed |
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What You'll Learn
Contraception is forbidden
The Bible mentions at least one form of contraception and condemns it. In Genesis, Onan is commanded by his father to father children for his dead brother. Knowing that the offspring would not be considered his own, Onan "spilled his semen on the ground" (Gen. 38:9) each time he slept with his brother's wife. "What he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord, and he slew him" (v. 10).
The Catholic Church has long held that conception is a violation of God's will. In 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". In 255, Hippolytus of Rome wrote that certain Christian women "use drugs of sterility or other evil medicines, in order that they may not conceive".
In 1968, Pope Paul VI issued his landmark encyclical letter Humanae Vitae, which reemphasized the Church's constant teaching that it is always intrinsically wrong to use contraception to prevent new human beings from coming into existence. Contraception includes sterilization, condoms and other barrier methods, spermicides, coitus interruptus (withdrawal method), the Pill, and all other such methods.
Some argue that the Church's stance on contraception is outdated and oppressive, particularly towards women. However, the Church maintains that its teachings on sexuality are intended to foster human fulfillment, not to make people miserable.
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Sex is for unity of spouses
Catholicism teaches that sexuality has a fundamental purpose, decreed by God: procreation. The Catholic Church teaches that it is a grave sin to deliberately separate sexuality from procreation, as it goes against God's design.
However, it is important to note that the Catholic Church also recognizes the unity of spouses as a crucial aspect of sexuality. Sex is not only for procreation but also for the unity of spouses, expressing their married love and fostering mutual support. This belief is derived from the Bible, specifically Genesis 2:23-24, which states that marriage is for a man and a woman to become one.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes that sexual intercourse within marriage must retain its twofold significance of union and procreation. This unity between spouses is essential for the creation of new life, and deliberately frustrating the procreative aspect of sex also hinders the unitive aspect.
While the Church prohibits the use of contraception as it goes against the openness to life, Natural Family Planning is permitted. This involves timing sexual intercourse to avoid ovulation, which is considered acceptable as it is a lack of action rather than a positive action that completely closes the act to life.
The Church's teachings on sexuality aim to foster the fulfillment and happiness of human beings. It is believed that following God's design for sexuality leads to flourishing individuals, families, and societies.
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Sex is a gift from God
The Catholic Church teaches that sex is a gift from God. It is believed that God wants humans to be happy and fulfilled, and that is why He designed sex. According to Catholic theology, sexuality has a fundamental purpose, decreed by God: procreation. The Church teaches that the sexual act itself must always be open to the possibility of generating children.
However, the Church also acknowledges that sex serves another purpose: unity between spouses. It is believed that God created sex not only for procreation but also for the deep fulfilment of human beings. Within its proper sphere of marriage between a man and a woman, spouses should experience pleasure and enjoyment. The Bishops at Vatican II decreed that the essential procreative end of marriage does not make "the other purposes of matrimony of less account."
The Church defines chastity as the virtue that moderates the sexual appetite and believes that everyone is called to chastity. Unmarried Catholics are expected to express chastity through sexual abstinence. Sexual intercourse within marriage is considered chaste when it retains the twofold significance of union and procreation. Pope John Paul II wrote that chastity lies at the centre of the spirituality of marriage, not only as a moral virtue but also as a gift from God.
While the Church prohibits the use of contraception, it does not consider Natural Family Planning (NFP) or restricting sexual activity to times when conception is unlikely as sinful. NFP involves planning sex to avoid ovulation, and it is acceptable because it is about not acting rather than taking definite action to close the act to life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the spacing of births may be practised for "just reasons" and not for "selfish" ones.
In summary, the Catholic Church views sex as a gift from God, intended for both procreation and the unity of spouses. While contraception is prohibited, methods like NFP that involve planning sex to avoid ovulation are allowed. Chastity, which includes the successful integration of sexuality within the person, is valued, and sexual intercourse within marriage is considered chaste when it respects the dual purposes of union and procreation.
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Fertility awareness methods are allowed
The Catholic Church teaches that the sexual act must always be open to the possibility of procreation. Contraception is prohibited as it deliberately thwarts a possible conception. However, this does not mean that sex is only for procreation. The Church also recognises the unitive aspect of sex, which is for the unity of spouses and to express married love.
Fertility Awareness Methods (FAMs) or Natural Family Planning (NFP) are allowed within the Catholic Church as they are considered a natural, healthy, and morally acceptable method of family planning. These methods do not involve any drugs, devices, or surgical procedures to avoid or achieve pregnancy. Instead, they rely on tracking a woman's menstrual cycle, basal body temperature, and cervical mucus to predict fertile days. Couples can then avoid intercourse or use protection around the time of ovulation.
The Catholic Church recommends NFP as a way to help couples space out or achieve pregnancies while respecting the unitive and procreative nature of the sexual act. It is seen as a way to enrich a couple's relationship and encourage intimacy. NFP can also be appealing to those who want to avoid the side effects of hormonal birth control or have religious objections to using medical forms of contraception.
While NFP is allowed, other forms of contraception are not. This includes condoms, pills, and pulling out, as these are considered definite actions that close the act to life. However, it is important to note that even with the use of NFP, there is still a chance of pregnancy, and it may not be as effective as other forms of contraception.
The effectiveness of FAMs or NFP methods can range from 77% to 98%. The more diligently a couple tracks their fertility signs and avoids intercourse or uses protection during fertile days, the more effective these methods become. However, it can be challenging to use these methods perfectly, and there is always a chance of pregnancy even with perfect use.
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Sex is for mutual love and support
The Catholic Church teaches that sexuality has a fundamental purpose, decreed by God: procreation. It is considered a grave sin to deliberately separate sexuality from procreation. However, the Church also acknowledges that sex serves another purpose: unity between spouses. This unity is believed to make the creation of new life possible, and it is considered impossible to deliberately separate procreation from unity.
While the Church teaches that the sexual act must always be open to the possibility of generating children, it has never banned conjugal love after menopause. This suggests that sex can also be for mutual love and support, as decreed by God.
According to Catholic doctrine, sex is considered chaste only within the context of marriage, and it is believed to be a gift from God. Marriage is intended for mutual love and support, as well as the procreation and education of children. This is supported by the Bible, specifically Genesis 2:23-24.
Pope John Paul II wrote that chastity is at the center of the spirituality of marriage, formed by love and connected to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as respect for what comes from God. This respect is also mentioned in Ephesians 5:21, which exhorts married couples to "defer to one another out of reverence for Christ."
In summary, while procreation is a primary purpose of sex in Catholic theology, it is not the only purpose. Sex is also intended for the unity and mutual love and support of spouses within the context of marriage.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church teaches that sex has two purposes: procreation and unity between spouses. It is considered a grave sin to deliberately separate sexuality from procreation as it goes against God's design.
No, the Catholic Church prohibits the use of contraception as it goes against the procreative purpose of sex. This includes methods such as sterilization, condoms, the pill, and the withdrawal method.
Yes, the Catholic Church allows Natural Family Planning, which involves restricting sexual activity to times when conception is unlikely. This method is acceptable as it does not involve any positive action to prevent procreation.
