Conjoined twins

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Feanor2

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Would conjoined twins sharing one vagina be permitted to have 2 husbands? They would undoubtedly be two individuals- two souls- each with a vocation in life.
 
My interest has been piqued. (sorry for posting without contributing)
 
Feanor2 said:
Would conjoined twins sharing one vagina be permitted to have 2 husbands? They would undoubtedly be two individuals- two souls- each with a vocation in life.
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Wow - thought I’ve seen all the wild questions here but this one is pretty out there. I have no idea how to answer but I agree that it is an interesting thing to consider.

For your hypothetical twins - I assume they also share one common set of reproductive organs, and that the one vaginal canal does not lead to two different sets. Not sure if/how that could even work actually.
:confused:

~Liza
 
Aside from the fact that it would make quite some… party… I’d say that the Vatican would have to be involved in such a decision given the uniqueness of the situation. How can anyone here answer that? 🙂
 
You should probably take this one to the apologists- for once they might actually have to answer a question, rather than referring back to prior answers.
 
Yes it is certainly a question!

There are certainly a few folks out there like this though I am pretty sure they are REALLY encouraged not to conceive.

The famous “siamese twins” in the 19th c. had 2 wives but I don’t know if they they had one or two penises or peni or whatever is plural?
 
Applying logic I’ve heard elsewhere on this forum these twins have a disordered nature and should practice celibacy.
 
Feanor2 said:
Yes it is certainly a question!

There are certainly a few folks out there like this though I am pretty sure they are REALLY encouraged not to conceive.

The famous “siamese twins” in the 19th c. had 2 wives but I don’t know if they they had one or two penises or peni or whatever is plural?
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I can’t believe I’m answering…but here goes.

If you mean Eng and Chang…they each had their own complete bodies, and independent organs and systems. They were just joined at the chest by some cartiledge, muscle and skin. If they were born in more modern times, they probably could have been separated easily.

I read a lot of the Guiness Book when I was young 🤓
 
What if one twin preferred the EF while the other preferred the OF?
 
When I lived in Reading, PA, I saw a couple of times the conjoined twins that share a head (skin, skull, and brain) that were guest stars on the TV show Nip/Tuck. They also were on a talk show once or twice. I immediately recognized them, how could I not? I imagine that life must be very difficult for them, and for all conjoined twins.
And another nationally-famous set of conjoined twins shared a pelvis and lower body, but had fused, but individual torsoes and each had their own head and brain. This is more like the moral dilemma in the question of the OP. I watched a documentary on their life, and they were pretty social and outgoing. It is possible, since they were so mobile and able to stand upright, and able to get out and meet people, for one or both of them to find a spouse.
I have no idea what the Vatican would say regarding this matter if a Catholic family were to find themselves in such a situation. At first glance, it would seem wonderful if they found a man/men to love them and want to marry them (as it is for every woman who finds her husband), but upon further reflection, what if one twin did not like the other twin’s boyfriend? What if they both loved the same man, and he loved one twin but not the other? Their lives are truly inseparable, so I am not sure how that would work out adding a third (or fourth) person to that equation.
But whatever the case may be, I am thankful for modern medicine that allows for these twins to be born. Prior to ultrasounds and C-sections, conjoined twins almost universally meant the death of the mother and usually the death of the babies as well. Now, not only may they be born, but such amazing care can be provided that many of these conjoined twins are able to grow up and lead happy (but challenging) lives.
 
CAnnElizabeth said:
What if one twin preferred the EF while the other preferred the OF?
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Actually, it does bring up some interesting theological questions: What if one of the two is in a state of mortal sin that the other did not consent to? Are they both in a state of sin (as they essentially share one body), or can the “good” twin still receive Communion? How would Confession/Reconcilliation work (i.e. how could a priest hear one’s confession and not break the seal by having the other half listening in)?
 
mommamaree said:
When I lived in Reading, PA, I saw a couple of times the conjoined twins that share a head (skin, skull, and brain) that were guest stars on the TV show Nip/Tuck. They also were on a talk show once or twice. I immediately recognized them, how could I not? I imagine that life must be very difficult for them, and for all conjoined twins.
And another nationally-famous set of conjoined twins shared a pelvis and lower body, but had fused, but individual torsoes and each had their own head and brain. This is more like the moral dilemma in the question of the OP. I watched a documentary on their life, and they were pretty social and outgoing. It is possible, since they were so mobile and able to stand upright, and able to get out and meet people, for one or both of them to find a spouse.
I have no idea what the Vatican would say regarding this matter if a Catholic family were to find themselves in such a situation. At first glance, it would seem wonderful if they found a man/men to love them and want to marry them (as it is for every woman who finds her husband), but upon further reflection, what if one twin did not like the other twin’s boyfriend? What if they both loved the same man, and he loved one twin but not the other? Their lives are truly inseparable, so I am not sure how that would work out adding a third (or fourth) person to that equation.
But whatever the case may be, I am thankful for modern medicine that allows for these twins to be born. Prior to ultrasounds and C-sections, conjoined twins almost universally meant the death of the mother and usually the death of the babies as well. Now, not only may they be born, but such amazing care can be provided that many of these conjoined twins are able to grow up and lead happy (but challenging) lives.
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I saw the video about those conjoined “twin” girls… If I remember correctly, “they” lived in Minnesota, and were quite a popular and very outgoing “couple” in High School; they operated kind of weird, though: the left head/brain operated one side of their conjoined body, and the right head/brain worked the other side. It was almost comical to see “them” arguing with each other as they brushed their hair on one another’s heads.
They had to take tests at different times in school, and each “head” had to take a separate driver’s test for “her/them”(?) to become licensed driver(s)… and they both passed the driving test, too. They must have some unusual seat belt arrangement…
I’d hate to be the cop that had to cite “them” for a moving violation… I think I’d run away screaming, as “they” laughed “themselves” silly…

(I think the narrator mentioned that were Lutherans, by the way)

I guess if one of “them” were to marry, it would be a really different example of a “threesome.” (Shame on me for that thought…)

Regards,
Ponyguy
 
Pat_Payne said:
Actually, it does bring up some interesting theological questions: What if one of the two is in a state of mortal sin that the other did not consent to? Are they both in a state of sin (as they essentially share one body), or can the “good” twin still receive Communion? How would Confession/Reconcilliation work (i.e. how could a priest hear one’s confession and not break the seal by having the other half listening in)?
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These questions are not really very complex. The soul would reside in the conscience of the perspective twin, not in their body. I do not believe there would be any conjoined twins that share one mouth but if their were then certainly just because they share a mouth this would not prevent one from receiving communion.

Confession is even more simple as interpreters may be used for the deaf and they are bound to the seal of the COnfessional
 
Feanor2 said:
These questions are not really very complex. The soul would reside in the conscience of the perspective twin, not in their body. I do not believe there would be any conjoined twins that share one mouth but if their were then certainly just because they share a mouth this would not prevent one from receiving communion.

Confession is even more simple as interpreters may be used for the deaf and they are bound to the seal of the COnfessional
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That’s right about the interpreters, and they can be punished for breaking the seal. They do not incur automatic excommunication reserved to the Holy See, though. The same would be true of the other twin.

The difficulty would arise in the nature of consent, intention, and act. Can the two fight between themselves, e.g., in moving a limb? How would these sorts of considerations affect consent and culpability. Ultimately, it would probably be pretty clear on an individual basis.

Oh, and such persons cannot marry regardless of situation of reproductive organs. It would constitute a grave occasion of sin for the second twin.
 
I haven’t heard of a case when twins shared a single gastrointestinal / reproductive tract.

However, looking at it from a hypothetical standpoint, if there was indeed one, they would have to determine who’s reproductive organs are working, and only that twin would be allowed to marry. This is in line with the Church’s teaching that one must have the physical capacity for consummation. Lack of this capacity is a canonical impediment for Holy Matrimony:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canonical_impediment#List_of_diriment_impediments_to_marriage
 
Enough speculation already!

Google “Abigail and Brittany Hensel” and spend hours reading their entire story.

They are identical twin girls who share a pelvis, small and large intestines; they each have their own heart, and there are three kidneys, one liver, and four lungs. Each girl has an individual head and spine, with both spines converging at the pelvis. They share a fully functioning reproductive tract, and the information from various sources claims that the girls are indeed physically capable of becoming pregnant and giving birth.

Any surviving conjoined pair of twins is an overwhelmingly unusual event; very few conjoined twins have survived to adulthood, and none in the case of the type of conjoint experienced by the Hensel sisters.

Regards,
Ponyguy
 
Ponyguy said:
Enough speculation already!

Google “Abigail and Brittany Hensel” and spend hours reading their entire story.

They are identical twin girls who share a pelvis, small and large intestines; they each have their own heart, and there are three kidneys, one liver, and four lungs. Each girl has an individual head and spine, with both spines converging at the pelvis. They share a fully functioning reproductive tract, and the information from various sources claims that the girls are indeed physically capable of becoming pregnant and giving birth.

Any surviving conjoined pair of twins is an overwhelmingly unusual event; very few conjoined twins have survived to adulthood, and none in the case of the type of conjoint experienced by the Hensel sisters.

Regards,
Ponyguy
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Thanks for the information. I think these are the twins that I had seen on TV in a documentary.
 
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