Consummation

[r4j]

I thought I knew the answer to this but someone has questioned my understanding.
If a husband and wife are with each other and the man or the woman is reaching that climatic moment, must that moment be consummated with intercourse? My understanding was that it had to be.

 

[Phemie]

For the man it is only supposed to happen during intercourse. For the woman it may happen during foreplay, during intercourse or immediately afterwards.

The difference is that the man’s orgasm outside of intercourse renders the act not open to life. The woman’s orgasm has no effect on that.

 

[r4j]

For the man it is only supposed to happen during intercourse. For the woman it may happen during foreplay, during intercourse or immediately afterwards.

The difference is that the man’s orgasm outside of intercourse renders the act not open to life. The woman’s orgasm has no effect on that.

Thank you Phemie. One more question, if the man was not engaged in intercourse, would it be venial or mortal - my guess it depends on circumstances and intent - but would you say this is ‘grave matter?’ I think life would be.

 

[Phemie]

Thank you Phemie. One more question, if the man was not engaged in intercourse, would it be venial or mortal - my guess it depends on circumstances and intent - but would you say this is ‘grave matter?’ I think life would be.

Like all sin it would depend on knowledge, full consent, etc.

 

[Leopard]

Thank you Phemie. One more question, if the man was not engaged in intercourse, would it be venial or mortal - my guess it depends on circumstances and intent - but would you say this is ‘grave matter?’ I think life would be.

If a man intentionally reaches sexual climax (ejaculation) outside the context of a complete act of sexual intercourse with his wife, that is objectively grave matter. If the act is accidental (nocturnal emission, premature ejaculation, unintentional bad timing, etc), that is not objectively grave matter.

Whether or not such an action is mortally sinful, venially sinful or not sinful at all would depend on the presence of grave matter, full knowledge and free consent.