Chastity Within Marriage Question

[stevestone1988]

Having a problem figuring out the Church’s teaching on this issue…practicing NFP and wondering what is “allowed” while my wife is fertile. We’ve heard everything from “nothing” to “anything” from friends and priests alike and its so annoying because we can’t find an authority on this, and priests are contradicting each other…please help. Also, please point to your reference so we can make sure it’s not a interpretation of a individual theologian, but the direction of the Church as the Bride of Christ speaking on faith and morals. Thank you so much everyone, God bless.

 

[underacloud]

Having a problem figuring out the Church’s teaching on this issue…practicing NFP and wondering what is “allowed” while my wife is fertile. We’ve heard everything from “nothing” to “anything” from friends and priests alike and its so annoying because we can’t find an authority on this, and priests are contradicting each other…please help. Also, please point to your reference so we can make sure it’s not a interpretation of a individual theologian, but the direction of the Church as the Bride of Christ speaking on faith and morals. Thank you so much everyone, God bless.

You wont find such a reference. The Church has no specific teaching on this point. The Church doesn’t provide teaching regarding every aspect of our lives, and some things have to be worked out based on the principles provided.

As such, there is a wide variety of opinions, as you have already experienced. You can’t have sex using contraception. And you can’t have replacement sex…outercourse, mutual masturbation, etc.

But can you share physical intimacy during these times, that at other times would be considered foreplay? There’s a variety of opinions here. I think it’s sensible not to go down the road of such physical intimacy during these times as it only leads to frustration, but that’s my own opinion. Others might suggest that they can do so without it being frustrating. What’s the “official” teaching? There really isn’t one.

 

[chris138]

I think that your question was answered by the above poster–so that the nothing(which is probably best since if you play with fire you may get burned) to anything(meaning whatever you can do without going all the way–which just sounds like torture to me) is correct.

I just wanted to throw something out there, during these times of abstaining why not offer it up for an infertile couple…take that time to say a rosary or some other prayers for a couple you know or just for infertile couples in general.

God bless,
chris