Sarah Mitchell
The Catholic Church teaches that sex is a wonderful thing, but it must occur within marriage. The Church holds that the sexual act itself must always have its intrinsic ordering toward the generation of children, and any attempt to intentionally thwart the procreative end of sex is considered a grave sin. However, if a couple has just reasons for not having children, they may express their love through sexual intercourse during the woman's infertile periods. While the Church's teachings on sexuality are clear, many Catholics struggle to balance their faith with their sexual desires, especially after having children.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic Church's view on sex after kids | The Catholic Church teaches that the sexual act must always have its intrinsic ordering toward the generation of children. Couples can never do anything to intentionally thwart the procreative end of sex, since procreation is what sex is for. |
| Exceptions | If a couple has just reasons for not having children at a particular time, they may express their love through sexual intercourse during the woman's infertile periods. |
| Catholic Church's view on contraception | The use of artificial contraception is considered a grave sin. |
| Catholic Church's view on lust | Lust is considered one of the seven capital sins, with chastity being its opposing virtue. |
| Catholic Church's view on homosexuality | Homosexuality is not considered an illness, and homosexual children should not be "thrown out" of the family. |
| Catholic Church's view on pornography | The Catholic Church disapproves of pornography and encourages civil authorities to prevent its production and distribution. |
| Catholic Church's view on abortion | Abortion is considered homicide and is condemned regardless of the stage of pregnancy. |
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What You'll Learn
- The Catholic Church teaches that the sexual act must always have its intrinsic ordering toward the generation of children
- The Church permits sexual intercourse during a woman's infertile periods
- The Church considers contraception, masturbation, pornography, and homosexual practices as sins against chastity
- Catholics are encouraged to view marriage as an intimate partnership of life and love
- The Church disapproves of pornography and believes civil authorities should prevent its production and distribution
The Catholic Church teaches that the sexual act must always have its intrinsic ordering toward the generation of children
The Church's teachings on sexuality are based on the interpretation of natural law, which uses reason to deduce binding rules of moral behavior from God's creation. The Catechism outlines various sins against chastity, including masturbation, fornication, pornography, and homosexual practices. It is important to note that the Church disapproves of pornography and encourages civil authorities to prevent its production and distribution.
While the Church emphasizes the procreative aspect of sex, it also recognizes the unitive aspect, describing marriage as "an intimate partnership of life and love." Older Catholics have shared their experiences of navigating their sex lives within the Church's teachings, including the use of Natural Family Planning to space out pregnancies while still remaining open to life.
Some Catholics have questioned whether certain sexual acts that cannot lead to pregnancy are considered sinful. For example, sex during pregnancy or menopause, or oral sex, are topics of discussion among Catholics. However, the Church has not provided clear guidance on these specific acts, and individual Catholics may seek advice from pastors or priests.
Overall, the Catholic Church's teaching that the sexual act must always be open to the generation of children influences the sexual practices and beliefs of its followers, shaping their perspectives on contraception, masturbation, homosexuality, and the unitive and procreative purposes of sex within marriage.
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The Church permits sexual intercourse during a woman's infertile periods
The Catholic Church teaches that the sexual act must always have its intrinsic ordering toward the generation of children. This means that a couple can never do anything to intentionally thwart the procreative end of sex, as procreation is sex's purpose. Pope Paul VI states that each marital act must retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of human life.
However, if a couple has valid reasons for not wanting children at a particular time, they may express their love through sexual intercourse during the woman's infertile periods. This practice is known as Natural Family Planning (NFP) and is considered in agreement with nature's design for sex and, therefore, God's will. Pope Pius XI supported this in 1930 in Casti Connubi, teaching that although a couple does not have to intend to conceive a child with every act of intercourse, they may never actively impede the sexual act from being ordered toward producing a child.
Some older males have learned to experience orgasm without ejaculation, and this is not considered a sin. However, spilling semen outside of intercourse between a man and a woman is considered monstrous, and deliberately withdrawing from intercourse to avoid pregnancy is considered a sin.
The Church's teachings on the unitive and procreative aspects of married sex consider them inseparable. However, older Catholic couples who are no longer able to conceive, either due to age or infertility, may still engage in unitive sex, enjoying the liberty to do whatever they want without worrying about procreation.
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The Church considers contraception, masturbation, pornography, and homosexual practices as sins against chastity
The Catholic Church has clear teachings on human sexuality, with a focus on the sacredness of marriage and the procreative nature of sex. While the Church encourages sexual intimacy within marriage, it considers certain practices as sins against chastity, including contraception, masturbation, pornography, and homosexual acts.
Contraception is seen as a deliberate frustration of the procreative purpose of sexual intercourse. The Church teaches that each marital act must retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of life. While natural methods of family planning are accepted, artificial contraception is considered a grave sin. This stance has been a consistent teaching of the Church, although it has been controversial, with many Catholics disagreeing and using other methods of contraception.
Masturbation is considered a sin by the Catholic Church, although this teaching has evolved over time. Initially, it was considered a violation of the vows of chastity made by monks and nuns. Later, it was condemned as a sinful act for all Christians, seen as an “unnatural vice" and a form of lust. Masturbation is viewed as disordered because it isolates sexual pleasure from its procreative purpose.
Pornography is also considered a sin in Catholic theology. The Church teaches that it can lead to addiction, isolation, and other serious transgressions, including abortion. Civil authorities are encouraged to prevent the production and distribution of pornographic materials.
Homosexual practices are considered sinful by the Catholic Church, although homosexual attractions themselves are not considered sinful. The Church distinguishes between attraction and action, teaching that homosexual acts violate natural law and cannot bring forth life. Homosexual persons are called to chastity and are instructed to practice self-mastery and inner freedom. Pope Francis has made efforts to promote inclusion, stating that homosexual people should be accepted with respect and compassion and should not be excluded from families.
While the Church upholds these teachings as sins against chastity, there are differing opinions among theologians and the laity. Many Catholics navigate their sexual lives while interpreting these teachings within their personal contexts and consciences.
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Catholics are encouraged to view marriage as an intimate partnership of life and love
The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a sacred and intimate partnership of life and love. This means that the sexual act within marriage is inseparable from its procreative purpose, as stated in the Catechism. Sex within marriage is meant to be open to the possibility of generating new life. Therefore, any deliberate action to prevent procreation during intercourse is considered a grave sin.
However, the Church also acknowledges that there may be just reasons for a couple to avoid having children at certain times. In these cases, the couple may engage in sexual intercourse during the woman's infertile periods without violating the intrinsic ordering of the sexual act towards procreation. This practice is known as Natural Family Planning (NFP) and is considered morally acceptable by the Church.
While the unitive and procreative aspects of married sex are taught as inseparable, the Church does not impose abstinence from intercourse at certain times as an obligation. Instead, it is offered as an admonition, and older or infertile couples are permitted the pleasure of unitive sex.
Pope Francis, in his apostolic exhortation "Amoris Laetitia," emphasizes the seriousness and generosity of the love within the sacrament of marriage. He writes that marriage involves a series of obligations born of this love, which is ready to face any risk. This understanding of marriage as a lifelong commitment, or an "indissoluble" union, is central to the Catholic faith.
As such, Catholics are encouraged to view marriage as a sacred union that encompasses both the unitive and procreative dimensions of sexual intimacy. While the Church provides guidance on moral behavior, it is ultimately up to individual Catholics to form their own judgments and seek pastoral counsel when needed.
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The Church disapproves of pornography and believes civil authorities should prevent its production and distribution
The Catholic Church teaches that sex within marriage should be oriented towards procreation, with the understanding that a couple may still have intercourse during a woman's infertile periods, as this is considered to be in agreement with nature's design for sex and, therefore, God's will.
While the Church does not explicitly forbid sexual intercourse for couples after they have had children, it maintains that each marital act must retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of human life. This means that couples should not intentionally thwart the procreative end of sex.
Within this framework, the Church disapproves of pornography and believes that civil authorities have a role to play in preventing its production and distribution. Here are some reasons for this stance:
The Devastating Impact of Pornography
Pornography is considered to have a detrimental impact on society, particularly on women, children, and healthy relationships. It objectifies women, promotes prostitution, exhibitionism, and voyeurism as normal behaviors, and portrays women as sex objects for self-gratification. It also corrupts young people's views of healthy relationships and sexuality, leading to a disconnect from their own spiritual nature and the nature of those around them.
The Pollution Spreads
The Catechism describes pornography as "a grave offense" and a mortal sin. Viewing pornography is not seen as an isolated sin, but one that spreads and shapes societal views towards modesty and sex. It reduces the dignity of all involved, including actors, vendors, and viewers, as they become "objects of base pleasure and illicit profit."
Addiction and Desensitization
Pornography can lead to addiction, where individuals lose control over their behavior, and desensitization, where they are no longer morally sensitive to the shocking, illegal, or immoral nature of the material. This can result in a normalization of deviant behaviors and a disregard for the dignity of others.
Correlation with Crimes
There is evidence of a direct correlation between the proliferation of pornographic materials in a community and an increase in crimes such as rape, child abuse, and the physical abuse of a spouse. This highlights the negative impact of pornography on societal well-being and the importance of addressing its production and distribution.
Protecting the Public
Laws against pornography are justified, in part, by the need to protect the public environment and shield individuals from the harmful effects of exposure to pornography, especially vulnerable members of society like children.
By recognizing the harmful nature of pornography and advocating for civil intervention, the Church aims to safeguard individuals, families, and communities from the corrosive effects of pornography and promote a culture that respects the dignity and sanctity of human sexuality.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church teaches that the sexual act must always have its intrinsic ordering toward the generation of children. However, if a couple has just reasons for not having children, they may express their love through sexual intercourse during the woman's infertile periods as it is in agreement with nature's design for sex and thus, God's will.
The use of artificial contraception is considered a grave sin by the Catholic Church as it deliberately frustrates the procreative function of sexual expression within marriage.
The Catholic Church believes that sex is a wonderful thing, but it should be reserved for marriage. Marriage occurs when a man and a woman "become one flesh," and this is consummated through sexual union.
The Church teaches that the unitive and procreative aspects of married sex are inseparable. Once a couple is done having children, they can indulge in the unitive part of sex without worrying about the procreative aspect.
The Church considers sins against chastity to include masturbation, fornication, pornography, and homosexual practices. Additionally, adultery, divorce, polygamy, and free union are considered grave offenses against the dignity of marriage.
