In marriage every conjugal act - as held by the teaching - must be mutually directed to 'love and life' and expressly towards procreation. what happens when the wife becomes past child bearing should congugal activity stop if it lacks the mutuality of the procrative element?
2007-06-25 00:29:20 · 6 answers · asked by ziffa 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Rose dancer but how about the 'mutuality' of purpose that the teaching calls for in every act, even if it does not lead to fertilisation?
2007-06-25 00:55:35 · update #1
Adoptive father the language of the teaching is implicit that every act must be open to life regardless of the natural cycle or the age of the couple. What for argument sake say in a couple where they are past child bearring does it matter if the man uses a condom or not for any reason?
2007-06-26 21:54:09 · update #2
It doesn't matter if they are past child bearing- they are still able to enter the marital act- and SHOULD as longs as they want to.
The unitive act is equal in importance- not subordinate to the importance of being open to life. The idea sounds strange, but think of how beautiful the idea is....a 70 year old couple loving each other and trusting God so much they are willing to accept a child if that is His will. THAT is a beautiful marriage.
That is why condoms are never allowed- because it is withholding the gift from the act- even if the woman is infertile.
It is a complicated idea- but you gotta trust the Church on this one- when the spouses withhold from each other in this area, there is generally something else they withhold, too.
2007-06-27 14:57:56 · answer #1 · answered by Mommy_to_seven 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Conjucal acts between spouses does not have to stop when the couple is beyond child-bearing age.
When it comes to child-bearing age, we have no choice. Nature determines when a given person is not longer able to bear children. Remember, nature functions the way it does, not by accident, but by the Designs of it's Creator - God.
A sex act between spouses, even beyond child-bearing age, still constitutes the total mutual self-giving of one spouse to the other, even when it is not possible to bear a child.
People, of any age, incapable of bearing children are still capable of the total mutual self-giving of themselves to their spouses. Forcing the infertile spouse not to have sex is unfair to the other spouse - who is most likely healthy. Where is the justice in this?
The conjugal act is many things. If it is prevented from being one thing, through no fault of the spouses, they are not prevented from experiencing the other aspects of the conjugal union.
Catholics were do you think we are with this one?
In marriage every conjugal act - as held by the teaching - must be mutually directed to 'love and life' and expressly towards procreation. what happens when the wife becomes past child bearing should congugal activity stop if it lacks the mutuality of the procrative element?
2007-06-25 13:44:35 · answer #2 · answered by Daver 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although conjugal acts should be directed to "love and life", not every conjugal act will result in fertilization of an egg. And the Church does not say it is a sin to TRY to procreate even if it is unsuccessful!
The point is that you aren't supposed to get in the way of the creation of life: no contraception. But so long as you aren't using contraception, and you are engaging in mutually loving share of yourselves, then all is fine!
So once the wife is past child-bearing age, then the couple is "in the clear", and can freely give of themselves without worrying about conception...well, unless God pulls a "Sarah" or an "Elizabeth" on her!! ;)
Hope this helps!
Peace.
2007-06-25 07:37:23 · answer #3 · answered by rose-dancer 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think you are mistaken when you say "expressly towards procreation". Intercourse is an act of love as well as an act of procreation. The Catholic church teaches against using contraceptives which interfere with childbearing. The Catholic church does not prohibit natural family planning, which times intercourse to either increase or decrease the likely hood of conception. Look at it this way ... God created the fertility cycle of a woman the same as He created fertile seasons to plant and to reap crops. it is perfectly natural for a woman to live beyond her fertile years. There is nothing sinful about that.
2007-06-25 10:32:47 · answer #4 · answered by Adoptive Father 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is Roman Catholic. Christian belief is that it is a physical act of love between two married people.
2007-06-25 07:34:03 · answer #5 · answered by Robert S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rose Dancer gave you the Catholic answer to your question.
Peace and blessings!
2007-06-25 08:23:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋