I would qualify this as right, depending on why you are avoiding children. Avoiding children should be for just/serious reason: financial, health, etc…not just because.
No! If you are not ready for a child, emotionally, financially, whatever reason…abstaining from sex during the fertile part of your cycle is perfectly fine!!! You don’t have to have a hundred kids to be a good Catholic!
I understand that has to be a mutual understanding (which it is). I understand that sexual intimacy is important to some. Forgive me, but I do not take this non-chalantly/but extremely serious. My husband and I don’t feel that responsibility of unwanted children is worth the price for pleasure. Him and I can control our urges.
Yes, it does.
The purpose of sex is the procreationg of children and the mutual affection of spouses. The only proper use of the sexual faculties is within marriage.
The Church does not tell us “how to have sex”. The Church teaches us God’s divind law. God created sexuality with purpose and order. The Church teaches us good from evil, ordered from disordered, and the meaning of our sexuality. Sin has darkened our intellect and weakened our will-- therefore, we ourselves often seek what is disordered. The Church teaches the Truth of Christ regarding our sexuality.
Sexual intercourse is the normal expression of spousal love. It is an integral part of marriage. Its natural end is children.
Not in my opinion.
Why do you not want children? Children are the natural end of marriage.
I hope your husband’s heart will be softened over time, especially by your example. God bless you for seeking the truth and understanding.
Of course it is. The Church teaches this clearly and repeatedly.
You misunderstand what the Church teaches if you believe infertility of an individual negates the procreative purpose of mariage.
No one needs to explain them here, but they are accountable to God. And, the Church absolutely teaches that one must have a just reason in conformity with objective moral criteria.
I am just trying to do right. This is a big struggle for me. No one that I know of is a devout Catholic. I was told that if a couple knows that they are not fertile, then they shouldn’t get married. I wonder if that is true? Part of me wishes I was still ignorant to the teachings of the Church. My life with my husband was soooo much happier. He got very angry and said “I didn’t invite God, but I will do what you want me to so you can stop crying. I thought God was for the unity in marriage?” I am very shy so the Mass’ I have been going to are not as friendly as the Protestant Churches. I would like to speak to a Priest, but I don’t know how, I am scared of them(lol, I know that sounds silly). If i see a nun at the store I go the other way. I don’t want to be a cafeteria Catholic. If I am going to do this. I want to do it right.
Again, God bless you. And, just take it one step at a time. You cannot know everything. You can learn one step at a time. Read, read, read. And, remember that the purpose of all that the Church teaches us is to get us to Heaven.
No, it’s not true.
Your husband sounds like he wants you to be happy. That is good. There are others on this board who coverted to the faith from being an atheist and had their spouse leave them. Try reaching out to the posters known as rpp. Look him up and private message him. He converted from atheism, and his wife left him. Your husband sounds like he wants to make it work. That’s awesome. rpp has lots of great advice and went through a lot of struggles-- talk to him.
Remember the Brady Bunch episode where Marcia has to give a speech, and pictures everyone in their underwear? (I’m not advising picturing your priest in his underwear…) I’m just saying: Remember, priests are people too. They put their pants on one leg at a time, and they sin too.
And God will bless you for that.
This is not true, but my understanding is that if a couple knows they are *impotent *they shouldn’t get married. (I read it in the Christopher West book.) A subtle, but important, distinction.