Hypothetical Situation

[Holly3278]

I have a hypothetical situation. If a person is away from the Church for a while and gets an IUD (contraceptive device inserted in the uterus) inserted and then comes back to the Church, would the priest in confession tell this person to have the IUD removed even if this person is chaste and is not sexually active?

 

[Jennifer_J]

I don’t know if the priest would say to have it removed, but it seems to me there would be no “need” for the IUD given the situation, so why leave it in? An IUD is abortofacient, so if the person chose to engage in sex, then that would be an additional moral problem.

 

[StCsDavid]

If said person came back into the faith and was determined to live by Church teachings, for what purpose would she need the IUD that she would be inclined to ask for this advice of the priest? I understand she got it inserted prior to coming home; however, once home, what compels her to keep it? Considering the very real health risks those devises pose, it seems logical she would want it removed of her own volition.

Nevertheless, to answer your question, I would presume the priest would advise her of the Church’s teachings on contraception and allow her to make her own decision. Is she in a state of sin for having the IUD in place if she is living a chaste life? That’s perhaps debatable, but I tend to lean more towards a “yes” only because she knows the gravity of the Church teaching and participates in a contraceptive activity. Is it a mortal sin? That’s the question I would pose to the priest in the confessional.

 

[Holly3278]

Ok thanks everyone. Would this said person have to specify the contraceptive method in confession or just simply confess to using a contraceptive device? Would she have to keep confessing it if she didn’t get it removed?

 

[That_one_guy]

why don’t you ask your priest?

 

[Holly3278]

why don’t you ask your priest?

I probably will.

 

[Jennifer_J]

I imagine the priest might mention that having the IUD in place MIGHT be a possible occasion of sin–say you were in the position to have relations and then it was employed for it’s contracpetive purpose. The priest might advise you have it removed to avoid this temptation. Also, as I said above, if you’re chaste, then there’s no need for the IUD. I’d have it removed, if it were me. I real don’t see the purpose in leaving it (name removed by moderator)lace.

 

[Ron_Conte]

Keeping the IUD while chaste is still a sin, the sin of scandal. Other persons might be led astray into serious sin by this bad example. Also, there is the past objectively grave sin of choosing to use the IUD.

 

[1ke]

I have a hypothetical situation. If a person is away from the Church for a while and gets an IUD (contraceptive device inserted in the uterus) inserted and then comes back to the Church, would the priest in confession tell this person to have the IUD removed even if this person is chaste and is not sexually active?

Holly,

Several days ago you asked about YOU getting an IUD because you found your period “annoying” and responses you received included mine that this was a violation of the Fifth Commandment about mutilating our bodies. Trying to destroy your fertility because it’s “annoying” is a violation of God’s law. If you are sexually active it is additionally a violation of the Sixth Commandment.

You didn’t like the answer, so now you are putting forth a “hypothetical” about leaving the church, getting and IUD, and then coming back. That’s called the sin of presumption.

Drop the IUD idea.

 

[Holly3278]

Holly,

Several days ago you asked about YOU getting an IUD because you found your period “annoying” and responses you received included mine that this was a violation of the Fifth Commandment about mutilating our bodies. Trying to destroy your fertility because it’s “annoying” is a violation of God’s law. If you are sexually active it is additionally a violation of the Sixth Commandment.

You didn’t like the answer, so now you are putting forth a “hypothetical” about leaving the church, getting and IUD, and then coming back. That’s called the sin of presumption.

Drop the IUD idea.

You know, I really don’t like it when people assume things about me. Just because I posted about the IUD the other day and then again just now doesn’t mean I am considering getting it or even have it. Of course it doesn’t mean that I am not considering getting it or haven’t got it either. But still, please do not assume things about me.

 

[Holly3278]

Keeping the IUD while chaste is still a sin, the sin of scandal. Other persons might be led astray into serious sin by this bad example. Also, there is the past objectively grave sin of choosing to use the IUD.

Wow. I didn’t realize this. Thanks.

 

[newbetx]

Wow. I didn’t realize this. Thanks.

With all the possible bad consequences of an IUD I have no idea why one would want to take the risk.
Really, sometimes the cure suggested is worse than the disease.

Peace.

 

[facethemusic]

You know, I really don’t like it when people assume things about me. Just because I posted about the IUD the other day and then again just now doesn’t mean I am considering getting it or even have it. Of course it doesn’t mean that I am not considering getting it or haven’t got it either. But still, please do not assume things about me.

There’s not too much to assume when it’s written on your LJ blog that you did get an IUD. Why not just be honest about it here?

 

[Holly3278]

There’s not too much to assume when it’s written on your LJ blog that you did get an IUD. Why not just be honest about it here?

Look, I’m sorry. I wasn’t being honest. This wasn’t a hypothetical situation. It was a real situation. But I talked to a priest about it and confessed my sins to him and he told me that as long as I wasn’t using the device to contracept, I could leave it in. He said it would not be sinful to leave the IUD in as long as I am being chaste and am not using it to contracept.

 

[T700]

Look, I’m sorry. I wasn’t being honest. This wasn’t a hypothetical situation. It was a real situation. But I talked to a priest about it and confessed my sins to him and he told me that as long as I wasn’t using the device to contracept, I could leave it in. He said it would not be sinful to leave the IUD in as long as I am being chaste and am not using it to contracept.

Holly,

I was just reading your blog (linked from your profile) and since June of this year, you have decided you were an Anglican, a Muslim, a Mormon, a fundamentalist Baptist, and an “orthodox” Catholic". Apologies if I missed a couple.

Are you serious or are you pulling our leg? I’m really curious.

Paul

 

[Holly3278]

Holly,

I was just reading your blog (linked from your profile) and since June of this year, you have decided you were an Anglican, a Muslim, a Mormon, a fundamentalist Baptist, and an “orthodox” Catholic". Apologies if I missed a couple.

Are you serious or are you pulling our leg? I’m really curious.

Paul

Hi Paul. I’m very serious. I have a disorder which affects how I view myself (which would logically include my religion) and so I change religions rather frequently sometimes. I apologize if this offends you.

 

[T700]

Hi Paul. I’m very serious. I have a disorder which affects how I view myself (which would logically include my religion) and so I change religions rather frequently sometimes. I apologize if this offends you.

Positively no offense taken or offered, I hope. If anything, I was awestruck. Just moving from high church Anglican to the Roman Catholic faith has been emotionally tough for me, even though the rites are very similar in form.

My best wishes to you and I hope you settle in the Catholic faith.

Paul

 

[Jennifer_J]

Look, I’m sorry. I wasn’t being honest. This wasn’t a hypothetical situation. It was a real situation. But I talked to a priest about it and confessed my sins to him and he told me that as long as I wasn’t using the device to contracept, I could leave it in. He said it would not be sinful to leave the IUD in as long as I am being chaste and am not using it to contracept.

But why would you WANT to? These devices can affect your fertility later on. They not only irritate your uterus, but many have hormones and such. These things are NOT healthy for a person. It an be a HUGE temptation if you were to be in a relationship. It’s easy to say “I’ll be chaste” and then be faced with a situation where you aren’t chaste, but at least you’re “protected”. If you keep it because you don’t want a period, the I suggest you seek counseling. Menstration is a normal part of life for women. You don’t have to love it, but to hate it enough to decide to keep an IUD isn’t well balanced thinking–the risks of an IUD are very real.

You know, I just read your blog, and I’m just not sure what to think…you are very confused and should seek counseling…

 

[Holly3278]

But why would you WANT to? These devices can affect your fertility later on. They not only irritate your uterus, but many have hormones and such. These things are NOT healthy for a person. It an be a HUGE temptation if you were to be in a relationship. It’s easy to say “I’ll be chaste” and then be faced with a situation where you aren’t chaste, but at least you’re “protected”. If you keep it because you don’t want a period, the I suggest you seek counseling. Menstration is a normal part of life for women. You don’t have to love it, but to hate it enough to decide to keep an IUD isn’t well balanced thinking–the risks of an IUD are very real.

Well, I read that after you get it removed, your fertility is the same as it was before you even had the IUD put in. I read that in a pamphlet about it. I don’t think they’d lie because that would be false advertising and is illegal.

That said, I’m only keeping it in for about 6 months to a year. Enough for my best friend to get over the fact that I don’t want it and then I am going to get it removed. See, he doesn’t want me to get it removed but I figure if I keep it in for a while, he’ll get over the fact that I don’t want it and will be fine with me getting it removed.

But the fact is, my priest said it is ok for me to keep it in so that is what I am going to do and I don’t think I should be judged for doing that. I’m not saying that you are judging me. I’m just saying that I hope I don’t get judged.