Could I do this to have children?

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Joyful_Catholic

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At the age of thirteen(when I heard about contraception), I took a solemn Pledge of eternal virginity at Mass.There is no way I would EVER break it-It was a promise to God.However, recently I’ve been thinking, it would be beautiful to have children-to give the gift of life to a little miracle, who would grow up and serve the Lord.Since sexual intercourse is out of the question, could I use that way where sperm is injected into the womb?(I forget what its called).Would God like that, and does the Church approve?Thanks.
 
IMO, no, it is not allowed. Giving birth is the result of a beautiful procreative act between a man and his wife.
 
You said you were called to virginity. That is in itself a beautiful calling. Give of your time to other children, perhaps through teaching CCD or some such. Not all of us were called to have families, and if you made a vow before the Lord for perpetual virginity, you should probably honor that vow.
 
I think that very few people at the age of 13 would have sufficient experience and maturity to be able to make the kind of lifetime commitment you describe, whether for perpetual virginity in the lay state, for religious profession, or for marriage. So if as an adult you now feel you may be called to marriage and motherhood, I am certain your pastor and bishop would agree that this promise you made as a child would not be binding on you. Please discuss this further with your pastor if this still troubles you.
 
Joyful you did not say how old you are now. If you are an adult that is now feeling led to marriage and family or still led to the single virgin life. The gift of giving life is meant to be with a married couple within a valid marriage that holds to the teaching of the Church.

Sometimes as children with limited knowledge of the lives ahead of us we make “oaths” or promises to God. God IMHO takes the age and ability to keep the promise into consideration when holding us to our “oaths”. Talk to your priest or Bishop about the oath that you made.

OTOH any means to become pregnant other then within marriage is considered gravely disordered. Children need two parents IMHO.
 
Joyful_Catholic said:
At the age of thirteen(when I heard about contraception), I took a solemn Pledge of eternal virginity at Mass.There is no way I would EVER break it-It was a promise to God.
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You need to talk to your spiritual director about this. You were quite young, and the Church usually doesn’t allow people to profess such vows until they are at least 18. Was this something you did on your own? This may not be in any way binding on you-- you need to seriously talk to a priest about this. How old are you now?
Joyful_Catholic said:
Since sexual intercourse is out of the question, could I use that way where sperm is injected into the womb?(I forget what its called).Would God like that, and does the Church approve?Thanks.
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No, creating a child through artificial insemination is not a moral way to bring children into the world. The Church teaches that ONLY through sexual intercourse may a child be brought forth.

Adoption would be a beautiful way to show your love to a child, were you to continue to live celibately.
 
KCT said:
Adopt. —KCT
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YES! I didn’t make a vow of virginity, but have not been able to conceive. I have always felt called to being a mother. My husband and I adopted two lovely girls.
 
Thirteen-year olds have no business making solemn vows. Whatever vow you made at that age is not binding. If you have a desire for children, perhaps you have a vocation to marriage.
 
Joyful_Catholic said:
At the age of thirteen(when I heard about contraception), I took a solemn Pledge of eternal virginity at Mass.There is no way I would EVER break it-It was a promise to God.However, recently I’ve been thinking, it would be beautiful to have children-to give the gift of life to a little miracle, who would grow up and serve the Lord.Since sexual intercourse is out of the question, could I use that way where sperm is injected into the womb?(I forget what its called).Would God like that, and does the Church approve?Thanks.
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What do you mean, solemn vow? Before a priest or bishop in the presence of the assembly? You were only 13. Such a “vow” is most likely not binding, and a priest-confessor can release you in a jiffy.
 
Minors are not allowed to enter valid contracts unless there is a necessity of goods involved. (An example of a valid contract for a minor would be you sighning a contract with a food provider so you can eat) I highly doubt virginity would classify as a necessity of good so I think you are off the hook. One of the first things I learned in law school last week.
 
Invitro fertilization goes against the respect of sex. As for the vow, its authority only goes as far as you want it to, since you have made it without Church sanction.
 
JimG said:
Thirteen-year olds have no business making solemn vows. Whatever vow you made at that age is not binding. If you have a desire for children, perhaps you have a vocation to marriage.
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Yeah, next thing you know we will be hearing about a girl that age consenting to be a virgin and give birth to the Son of God.
 
Joyful_Catholic said:
At the age of thirteen(when I heard about contraception), I took a solemn Pledge of eternal virginity at Mass.There is no way I would EVER break it-It was a promise to God…
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a vow made by a minor is not binding. a vow of perpetual virginity may be made only in the presence of one’s bishop and only with his approval, and only after a period of discernment and spiritual formation. so the vow you made is not binding, and if you ever change your mind decide to marry and have children you are breaking no solemn vow.

no, artificial insemination, the process you refer to, is not an alternative to conceiving a child in the natural way designed by God, through intercourse of one man with one woman, who are united in marriage.
 
Leopard said:
I think that very few people at the age of 13 would have sufficient experience and maturity to be able to make the kind of lifetime commitment you describe, whether for perpetual virginity in the lay state, for religious profession, or for marriage. So if as an adult you now feel you may be called to marriage and motherhood, I am certain your pastor and bishop would agree that this promise you made as a child would not be binding on you. Please discuss this further with your pastor if this still troubles you.
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Finally someone with a head on their shoulders and a brain in residence! This is very good advice, speak to that pastor or another priest about your “situation.” I would doubt very much if you were bound by that oath. Someone of Thirteen is not allowed to marry by the Church at that age for that very reason. Your priest can get this squared away. 🙂
 
Joyful, please do speak to a spiritual director. I too question the validity of a vow at such a young age. What about contraception would cause you to make a vow of virginity? Perhaps in your youth and innocene you made a vow without thinking of things in the proper perspective.

If you truly did have such a vow then procuring a child through immoral means would certainly mean attempting to go around the vow. A vow of virginity would entail never getting pregnant and giving birth to a child. That should only happen within marriage.
 
This same poster asked this same/simular question here

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=2837428

Seeing we can reply to that thread and she did ask us all here,

I agree with Father in that reply to that thread. You need some help. You are married and will not have intercourse with your husband? :confused:

There is no other way in church teaching that you two can bear children together.

I notice that the poster failed to mention in this thread she was married as well.
 
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