Ethan Walker
Catholic theology of sexuality is drawn from natural law, canonical scripture, divine revelation, and sacred tradition. Sexual morality evaluates sexual behaviour according to standards laid out by Catholic moral theology, and provides general principles for Catholics to evaluate whether specific actions meet these standards. The Catholic Church disapproves of pornography, prostitution, and masturbation, and does not permit extramarital sex. Homosexual relations are considered acts that lack an essential and indispensable finality and are condemned as a serious depravity. The Church also teaches that sexual intercourse has a twofold unitive and procreative purpose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Homosexual relations | Not acceptable |
| Masturbation | Not acceptable |
| Prostitution | Condemned as sinful |
| Rape | Condemned as "intrinsically evil" |
| Plan B contraception | Acceptable for rape victims |
| Extramarital sex | Not acceptable |
| Artificial contraception | Not acceptable |
| Abortion | Not acceptable |
| Pornography | Not acceptable |
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What You'll Learn
Homosexuality is a sin
Catholic theology of sexuality is drawn from natural law, canonical scripture, divine revelation, and sacred tradition. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which contains the dogmas and teachings of the Church, names "homosexual acts" as "intrinsically immoral and contrary to natural law" and "homosexual tendencies" as "objectively disordered". Homosexual orientation is not considered sinful by the Catholic Church, but it does have a negative attitude towards it. A 2005 Vatican document, approved by Pope Benedict XVI, instructed that the Church cannot admit those who "practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called 'gay culture'" to the seminary or holy orders. This is because such individuals would be "gravely hindered from relating correctly to men and women".
However, Pope Francis has made comments that seem to neutralise the instruction given under Pope Benedict. In an interview, he stated that "being homosexual is not a crime. It is not a crime". He later clarified his remarks, writing that "we know well that Catholic morality not only takes into consideration the matter, but also evaluates freedom and intention; and this, for every kind of sin". He added that "it is a sin, as is any sexual act outside of marriage".
Some gay Catholics manage their conflicting sexual and religious identities by attempting to challenge the Bible hermeneutics provided by the Church in relation to homosexuality. They argue that the negative attitudes of the Church are based on the Old Testament, which is irrelevant in modern times, and that there are no direct references in the New Testament that would condemn homosexuality as sinful behaviour. Others feel depressed and isolated, turning to pornography, sex dates, and masturbation, which they later feel guilty about. Many Catholic communities reach out to LGBTQ+ members to offer as full a welcome as possible within the limits of a Church policy that does not approve of same-sex relationships.
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Masturbation is a grave disorder
Catholic theology of sexuality is drawn from "natural law", canonical scripture, divine revelation, and sacred tradition. 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.
The Catholic Church's teaching on masturbation is that it is a "grave sin", a "mortal sin", and an "intrinsically disordered action". It is considered a grave sin because it is believed to reject God's offer of life and turn one's sexuality away from God and toward oneself. Masturbation is seen as a form of self-indulgence that divorces the pleasure of orgasm from union with one's spouse. It is also believed to train one's sexuality in the habit of self-indulgence rather than self-giving, and to reduce one's humanity by turning one inward and making one less able to give oneself fully to another.
The Church's teaching on masturbation is based on the belief that sex is intended to be both an expression of love for one's spouse and a means of procreation. Sex is considered a sacred gift that should only be shared between a man and a woman within the marriage covenant. Masturbation is seen as a violation of this covenant because it involves solitary sexual pleasure, which contradicts the meaning of human sexuality as intended by God.
While some may argue that masturbation is a normal part of sexual development, especially among the young, the Church maintains that it becomes a serious fault when an individual deliberately indulges in solitary pleasure, closing themselves off from the loving communion between persons of different sexes. The Church acknowledges that habits such as masturbation can reduce or even eliminate one's responsibility for one's actions, but it also emphasizes the need to seek help and strive to overcome these habits.
In summary, the Catholic Church considers masturbation a grave disorder because it contradicts the God-given purpose of sexuality, turns individuals inward and away from God, and violates the sacredness of the marriage covenant. The Church encourages individuals struggling with masturbation to seek guidance from a priest and to allow Christ to heal and redeem their desires.
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Contraception is evil
Contraception is considered evil in Catholic sexual ethics. This is because, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "every action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible is intrinsically evil".
The Catholic Church teaches that sexual intercourse has a twofold unitive and procreative purpose. The marriage bond is meant to be a sign of the love between God and humanity, and because God found everything he created to be "very good", the Catholic Church teaches that the human body and sex must also be good. The use of contraceptives is seen as a rejection of God's creation and a disruption of the natural order.
The Bible story of Onan in Genesis is often cited by Catholics as an example of God's disapproval of birth control. Onan was commanded by his father to father children for his dead brother, but he "spilled his semen on the ground" each time he slept with his brother's wife, and this act "was displeasing in the sight of the Lord". John Calvin similarly stated that "the voluntary spilling of semen outside of intercourse between man and woman is a monstrous thing".
The use of contraceptives is also associated with negative societal consequences. For example, there is a link between the increased availability of contraception and a higher rate of unplanned pregnancies and abortions. Additionally, there has been an enormous rise in cohabitation, with one in three children born outside of marriage, and a failure to respect married love's power to create new life has eroded respect for life and the sanctity of marriage.
From a health perspective, the use of hormonal contraceptives has been linked to an increased risk of harmful conditions such as blood clots, tumors, strokes, and certain cancers. While Catholic teaching does not oppose the use of hormonal medications for legitimate medical purposes, it emphasizes that artificial hormones often only treat the symptoms of a condition rather than correcting the underlying issue. Furthermore, studies have shown a higher divorce rate in marriages where contraception is regularly practiced.
In summary, the Catholic Church considers contraception to be evil because it disrupts the natural order and purpose of sexual intercourse, is associated with negative societal consequences, and poses health risks to individuals.
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Prostitution is sinful
Catholic theology of sexuality is drawn from "natural law", canonical scripture, divine revelation, and sacred tradition. Sexual morality evaluates sexual behaviour according to standards laid out by Catholic moral theology, providing general principles for Catholics to evaluate whether specific actions meet these standards.
The Catholic Church condemns prostitution as a societal vice and a sin. St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine agreed on this stance, although they defended legal protection for prostitution to prevent societal collapse. Prostitution is considered to reduce a person to an instrument of sexual pleasure, injuring their dignity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the buyer in prostitution also sins gravely against themselves, violating the chastity pledged in their Baptism and defiling their body, which is considered the temple of the Holy Spirit.
The Church's stance on prostitution is in line with its view that sexual intercourse has a twofold unitive and procreative purpose. According to the Catechism, "conjugal love ... aims at a deeply personal unity, a unity that, beyond union in one flesh, leads to forming one heart and soul", reflecting the love between God and humanity.
The Church's teachings on sexual morality are based on the belief that God found everything he created to be "very good", implying that the human body and sex are inherently good. However, certain sexual behaviours are considered sinful, such as masturbation, fornication, pornography, and homosexual practices. The Church disapproves of pornography and believes civil authorities should prevent its production and distribution.
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Rape is evil
The Catholic Church's stance on sexual ethics is that they are drawn from ""natural law", canonical scripture, divine revelation, and sacred tradition. The Church teaches that sexual intercourse has a twofold unitive and procreative purpose, and that the human body and sex are inherently good.
However, the Church has been plagued by numerous scandals involving the sexual abuse of children and the cover-up of these crimes by Catholic priests and bishops. This includes the case of Oliver O'Grady, a priest who was repeatedly relocated by Catholic bishops despite knowledge of his rape of dozens of children. In addition, the Church has been criticized for its efforts to control women's reproductive choices, such as banning abortion and attacking contraception, which has led to the denial of emergency contraception for rape victims. The Church's stance on abortion has resulted in the death of women, such as Yeniifer Alvarez-Estrada Glick, who was denied a life-saving abortion.
Despite these controversies, the Catholic Church officially condemns rape as "always an intrinsically evil act". The Church recognizes the profound impact of rape on its victims, who may experience a loss of freedom and live in fear of the evil act being repeated. Saints such as Maria Goretti, who fended off her attacker, have been honored for their purity, but the Church emphasizes that morality lies in the act of the will and that victims are not sinful.
The Church's teaching on sexual ethics emphasizes the importance of consent and respect for the human body. Unfortunately, the actions of some members of the clergy, as well as the institutional response to these crimes, have caused immense harm and suffering to the victims and undermined the Church's moral authority. The Church's history of sexual abuse scandals and its stance on reproductive rights continue to be a subject of scrutiny and debate.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church does not permit extramarital sex. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "fornication is [a] carnal union between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman. It is gravely contrary to the dignity of persons and of human sexuality which is naturally ordered to the good of spouses and the generation and education of children."
The Catholic Church condemns homosexual relations as acts that lack an "essential and indispensable finality". Homosexual acts are considered intrinsically disordered and cannot be approved of.
The Catholic Church teaches that any use of artificial contraception to avoid pregnancy is never morally acceptable. Contraception is considered a grave evil.
The Catholic Church considers masturbation ("self-abuse") to be an intrinsically disordered act and a mortal sin. However, modern psychology and sociology suggest that it is a normal part of sexual development, especially among the young.
The Catholic Church disapproves of pornography and believes that civil authorities should prevent its production and distribution.
