Marriage and Sexuality: Biology or Theology?
The unitive and procreative are inseperable in the expression of marital love in the conjugal act
When we begin to understand the mystery of the Sacrament of Marriage and how it is a reflection of the marriage of Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5: 21-33), we can then begin to understand why contraception is intrinsically evil. In order to be in tune with God and His holy will, a married man and a married woman must have a profound, intimate and personal relationship with God. This relationship is fostered and deepened through a daily and well-disciplined life of prayer. Christian marriage is a call to learn the way of love; a vocation to follow Jesus Christ.
PrintCORPUS CHRISTI, TX (Catholic Online) - You may be surprised to learn that prior to 1930 every Christian denomination agreed in their opposition to contraception. In 1930, the Anglican Church, motivated by increasing social pressures, stated that contraception could be allowed in some circumstances.
Shortly thereafter the Anglicans gave in, allowing contraception. Since then, all other Protestant denominations followed the example of the Church of England.
Today, the Catholic Church stands alone in opposition to contraception. However, even though the Catholic Church affirms that contraception is intrinsically evil, the majority of Catholics in America completely reject and ignore the Church's teaching on procreation.
The first cries for change within the Catholic Church came about in the late 1950's and the early 1960's with the availability of the birth control pill. In July of 1968, Pope Paul VI published an encyclical letter Humanae Vitae (On Human Life) which reaffirmed the constant teaching of the Catholic Church that artificial birth control is intrinsically evil.
The encyclical was confronted by a massive revolt within the Catholic Church and it is believed that 96% of Catholics in this country completely reject Humanae Vitae.
Why does the Catholic Church affirm that contraception is intrinsically evil? The reason is founded on this principle: every marital act must keep together "the inseparable connection, established by God, which man on his own initiative may not break, between the unitive significance and the procreative significance which are both inherent to the marriage act." (Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae, 12)
This fundamental principle contained in Humanae Vitae is true because the nature of sexual intercourse, which is both life-giving (pro-creative) and love-giving (unitive), reflects the plan of God for marriage.
A man and a woman must not intervene to separate their fertility from their bodily union in the marital embrace. To do so is to disrupt the plan of God for marriage, sexuality and married love. Therefore, the Church's teaching is not only affirmed by Divine law, but by natural law as well.
Sexual pleasure within marriage becomes unnatural, and even harmful to the spouses, when it is used in a way that deliberately excludes the basic purpose of sex, which is procreation. God's gift of sex must not be abused by frustrating its natural end-procreation, which is always integrally connected to the unitive dimension and the mutual expression of the gift of self which reveals the heart of the meaning of the marital embrace.
However, this does not mean that married couples only have sexual intercourse when they want to conceive a child. Mutual love or the good of the spouses, one of the three purposes of marriage, indicates that sex is good, sex is holy and that the sexual union between the spouses enhances, in a very deep way, the intimate love between husband and wife.
Nevertheless, we must keep in mind that the three purposes of marriage: the good of the spouses, the procreation of children and the education of children, are equal and form one single entity. The first purpose of marriage is not superior to the other two.
The Catholic Church continues to affirm that every conjugal act must be open to the transmission of life. The Catholic Church continues to affirm that all forms of contraception are intrinsically evil. However, the Catholic Church does teach that there is a moral, ethical way to regulate births. The moral way to regulate the procreation of children is through the use of Natural Family Planning.
Humanae Vitae explains this clearly with these words: "If therefore there are well-grounded reasons for spacing births, arising from the physical or psychological condition of husband or wife, or from external circumstances, the Church teaches that married people may then take advantage of the natural cycles immanent in the reproductive system and engage in marital intercourse only during those times that are infertile, thus controlling birth in a way which does not in the least offend the moral principles which we have just explained." (Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae, 16)
True Christian love is what makes a marriage a good marriage, a happy marriage and marriage filled with joy.
Married couples that are imbued with Christian love would never consider using artificial birth control or Natural Family Planning for selfish reasons.
Furthermore, husband and wife cooperate and participate in the on-going miracle of God's creation. The fundamental task of marriage and family life is to be at ...
Shortly thereafter the Anglicans gave in, allowing contraception. Since then, all other Protestant denominations followed the example of the Church of England.
Today, the Catholic Church stands alone in opposition to contraception. However, even though the Catholic Church affirms that contraception is intrinsically evil, the majority of Catholics in America completely reject and ignore the Church's teaching on procreation.
The first cries for change within the Catholic Church came about in the late 1950's and the early 1960's with the availability of the birth control pill. In July of 1968, Pope Paul VI published an encyclical letter Humanae Vitae (On Human Life) which reaffirmed the constant teaching of the Catholic Church that artificial birth control is intrinsically evil.
The encyclical was confronted by a massive revolt within the Catholic Church and it is believed that 96% of Catholics in this country completely reject Humanae Vitae.
Why does the Catholic Church affirm that contraception is intrinsically evil? The reason is founded on this principle: every marital act must keep together "the inseparable connection, established by God, which man on his own initiative may not break, between the unitive significance and the procreative significance which are both inherent to the marriage act." (Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae, 12)
This fundamental principle contained in Humanae Vitae is true because the nature of sexual intercourse, which is both life-giving (pro-creative) and love-giving (unitive), reflects the plan of God for marriage.
A man and a woman must not intervene to separate their fertility from their bodily union in the marital embrace. To do so is to disrupt the plan of God for marriage, sexuality and married love. Therefore, the Church's teaching is not only affirmed by Divine law, but by natural law as well.
Sexual pleasure within marriage becomes unnatural, and even harmful to the spouses, when it is used in a way that deliberately excludes the basic purpose of sex, which is procreation. God's gift of sex must not be abused by frustrating its natural end-procreation, which is always integrally connected to the unitive dimension and the mutual expression of the gift of self which reveals the heart of the meaning of the marital embrace.
However, this does not mean that married couples only have sexual intercourse when they want to conceive a child. Mutual love or the good of the spouses, one of the three purposes of marriage, indicates that sex is good, sex is holy and that the sexual union between the spouses enhances, in a very deep way, the intimate love between husband and wife.
Nevertheless, we must keep in mind that the three purposes of marriage: the good of the spouses, the procreation of children and the education of children, are equal and form one single entity. The first purpose of marriage is not superior to the other two.
The Catholic Church continues to affirm that every conjugal act must be open to the transmission of life. The Catholic Church continues to affirm that all forms of contraception are intrinsically evil. However, the Catholic Church does teach that there is a moral, ethical way to regulate births. The moral way to regulate the procreation of children is through the use of Natural Family Planning.
Humanae Vitae explains this clearly with these words: "If therefore there are well-grounded reasons for spacing births, arising from the physical or psychological condition of husband or wife, or from external circumstances, the Church teaches that married people may then take advantage of the natural cycles immanent in the reproductive system and engage in marital intercourse only during those times that are infertile, thus controlling birth in a way which does not in the least offend the moral principles which we have just explained." (Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae, 16)
True Christian love is what makes a marriage a good marriage, a happy marriage and marriage filled with joy.
Married couples that are imbued with Christian love would never consider using artificial birth control or Natural Family Planning for selfish reasons.
Furthermore, husband and wife cooperate and participate in the on-going miracle of God's creation. The fundamental task of marriage and family life is to be at ...
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I must commend the write up of the rev fr. some part of africa especially Nigeria are ignorant of the risk of taking pills and the side effects. i am a catholic and i detest abortion which is a grave and mortal sin against humanity aand God. i would love to be a change agent using this medium.
I am against artifical birth control for more reasons than just Church doctrine. I firmly believe that the use of birth control pills have increased the instances of cancers and other life threatening conditions in women, and medical research backs up my theory.My best friend, a Baptist, with no family history of breast cancer, had to have a radical mastectomy, chemo and radiation just 2 years ago, and yes, she took the pill for years. Yes, I know that women die in childbirth. My great great grandmother died in childbirth, and my 30 year old daughter almost died in childbirth just 5 weeks ago, delivering her 5th child by emergency c-section. Natural family planning has no side effects. I also know that God is good! After a premature birth, and 3 miscarriages and a stillbirth, on the recommendation of my doctor, I did use birth control.but not the pill....and guess what! I had two beautiful children the doctors said I'd never have! God has a plan for us, if we will just listen.
I have the same impression: Many pastors, even Bishops are hesitant/afraid to say much about the most heinous crime "man" can commit = killing the most innocent--through abortion (and the ederly through euthanasia). It also includes contraception: the refusal to accept the potential conception of a child during the "marriage act"--when God--the author of life, infuses the "breath of life"--if HE so wills. They are afraid people will walk out, or otherwise protest. It is sad, very sad.... Pope Benedict sees what is coming: "The Church will become very small...." ("Faith and the Future," , pg.116-118, the End of the Bk!)
The government legalizes agenda and impure politically correct policies only to call that justice and some sort of a right without responsibility. They do not care about moral ethical positions. Some body or organization must and that is the Catholic Church. The Church stands for family planning and for stable family home environments. The Church defines sin in society as well as the adverse effects of these sins. US government will never ever enforce any theological position,never the less,it is the duty of the Church do be an active force and voice,for the maintenance of natural family planning and normal marriage and family values. Today this is the alternative to the views that promote abortion,euthanasia,assisted suicide and the horrors of contraceptives,as they are actually detrimental to woman's health both physically and mentally.
Wonderful Article! Catholic marriage and the marriage of Christ and the Church explained with the class and dignity it deserves. Magnificent!
Rob:
I have noticed over many years, that unfortunately, many members of the clergy dissent on Humanae Vitae or that many are afraid to get into to the topic.
Father, I really do believe that these teachings are the key to changing our culture. As part of the ordainded, why do you suppose the Church seems so hesitant to teach them? I really thought as a result of the healthcare law and the HHS mandate that these teachings would become front and center, but save the web and a few parishes here and there, nothing. Nothing in our Archdioces at all.
We hit these topics hard in my men's group. Perhaps this is a job that the laity needs to take up?
My wife and I had seven children.When Anne was expecting our 7th one of the kids asked :"Mom how many children did you plan on having?"Anne had the answer that
I know must have pleased God.Anne said " As many as God give me."We were married 47 years and five years ago God called her home.Now she watches over our 7 treasures and I pray that some day we will all meet again in heaven.God Bless
I am glad to see that my article generated a lot of interest. I have listed the best marriage resources that I know on my personal website. I hope that these resources will help. Click on Marriage Resources at www.fatherjames.org.
I strongly support the church teachings and it's true that all married Catholics are finding it very difficult practising the natural birth control. I must confess that we tried and had failed twice leading to increase in our numbers of children. I discovered it failed because the couple have to be fully involved in the charting of the natural family planning. I'm praying it works this time as I plead for you faithful to join us in praying for a successful natural family planning.
We pray the church uphold to GOD's wishes for man in her teachings.
Cuthbert