Infertile Couples (sorry if this is an oldie...)

[hansard]

Reading the Catechism today, I stumbled across this item:

1654 Spouses to whom God has not granted children can nevertheless have a conjugal life full of meaning, in both human and Christian terms. Their marriage can radiate a fruitfulness of charity, of hospitality, and of sacrifice.

Can such couples still engage in sexual activity, knowing that it can never achieve its true purpose (the creation of new life)? Or, to be blunt, are they better to keep trying, just in case?

Now that I think of it (widening the scope of the thread somewhat), can elderly couples still have sex, knowing that their period of fertility is over and the sex is just for pleasure?

In all this, I mean “in the eyes of the Church”.

 

[KitSileya]

Yes, they can continue marital relations, as long as they are open to new life. That includes post-menopausal women, because it is God who decides when a life is conceived (ever heard of Sara and Abraham?) Thus they cannot judge whether marital relations can be open to new life.

On the other hand, if the man is permanently impotent, (that is, cannot achieve marital relations even with aid) he cannot get married, but should it happen post marriage, it doesn’t invalidate the marriage.

 

[Corinne3]

But of course OP. Marital union is a wonderful thing. Enjoy it~ Relish it with your beloved. Whether a baby comes out of it or not. If for some miraculous reason it does after/during menopause, it will be a gift from heaven.

God Bless U

How i wish i had more children. I’d have loved to have 5 or 6!!! God gave us 2. This was/is such a blessing still. i guess he knew that was all i could handle considering my circumstances which arose lately. God always knows best~

 

[Rascalking]

Sorry if this is an oldie? My friend, these forums would be horribly dull if one dared not ask a question because they were afraid it was asked before. By all means, ask away.

Too many catholics seem to forget, ignore, or not care that the marital act is also unitive and for the enjoyment of the married couple. It’s not just for procreation.

God bless.

 

[Seatuck]

Reading the Catechism today, I stumbled across this item:

1654 Spouses to whom God has not granted children can nevertheless have a conjugal life full of meaning, in both human and Christian terms. Their marriage can radiate a fruitfulness of charity, of hospitality, and of sacrifice.

Can such couples still engage in sexual activity, knowing that it can never achieve its true purpose (the creation of new life)? Or, to be blunt, are they better to keep trying, just in case?

Now that I think of it (widening the scope of the thread somewhat), can elderly couples still have sex, knowing that their period of fertility is over and the sex is just for pleasure?

In all this, I mean “in the eyes of the Church”.

Infertility is not an impediment to marriage when it occurs before the marriage or during the marriage. Marital union has a dual purpose- it is for pro-creation but it is also for the unification of the spouses. As long as there is no intentional attempt to render a conjugal union infertile or sterile the act is completely moral. Miracles do happen on occasion so it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think that continued intercourse would result in a pregnancy- (depending upon what was suspected of causing the infertility).

With regard to elderly couples they may of course engage in marital relations. Marital sex is never just for pleasure. It speaks a sacramental marriage with meaning that reflects the trinity . Participating in the marital act is how spouses renew their marriage vows.