Is this sex act licit or illicit?

[CAmeliaD]

Then wouldn’t that make all NFP acts of all other couples sinful too?

NFP is certainly NOT a gray area at all. It is very clearly accepted by the Church. The CCC and Humane Vitae say:

2368 A particular aspect of this responsibility concerns the regulation of procreation**.** For just reasons, spouses may wish to space the births of their children**. It is their duty to make certain that their desire is not motivated by selfishness but is in conformity with the generosity appropriate to responsible parenthood. **Moreover, they should conform their behavior to the objective criteria of morality:

When it is a question of harmonizing married love with the responsible transmission of life, the morality of the behavior does not depend on sincere intention and evaluation of motives alone; but it must be determined by objective criteria, criteria drawn from the nature of the person and his acts, criteria that respect the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love; this is possible only if the virtue of married chastity is practiced with sincerity of heart.156

The thousands of faithful Catholic couples on these forums who are practicing NFP are most definitely not committing a sin by using their infertile periods.

 

[Newbie2]

NFP is certainly NOT a gray area at all. It is very clearly accepted by the Church. The CCC and Humane Vitae say:

2368 A particular aspect of this responsibility concerns the regulation of procreation**.** For just reasons, spouses may wish to space the births of their children****. It is their duty to make certain that their desire is not motivated by selfishness but is in conformity with the generosity appropriate to responsible parenthood. Moreover, they should conform their behavior to the objective criteria of morality:

When it is a question of harmonizing married love with the responsible transmission of life, the morality of the behavior does not depend on sincere intention and evaluation of motives alone; but it must be determined by objective criteria, criteria drawn from the nature of the person and his acts, criteria that respect the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love; this is possible only if the virtue of married chastity is practiced with sincerity of heart.156

The thousands of faithful Catholic couples on these forums who are practicing NFP are most definitely not committing a sin by using their infertile periods.

Yes, I agree.

 

[Prime]

and quite frankly they have fallen out of love and even dare i say ‘hate’ each other. However, once a week, they feel in order not to add adultery into the mix, they come together once a week for sex.

There are a few things to define properly here before one ca have a reasonable response:

1. If they “hate” each other that much, why have sex?
2. Does “fallen out of love” means they cease to love each other or they just “feel” it’s not there anymore?

 

[Bluegoat]

What does it mean to hate each other (or love each other?) It isn’t just a matter of emotion, it means desiring or not desiring the good of another. If they are having sex while not desiring the good of the other person involved at all, then I think that is a problem.

Also, I would ask with regard to the use of NFP in this situation. What will happen if a pregnancy does occur?

I wouldn’t comment on the civil divorce without additional “information.” I think that there can occasionally be a good reason, that wouldn’t allow for an annulment but also isn’t abuse, for a couple to live separately. Not often, but I can think of such scenarios.

 

[frecklemom]

I think they need to ask themselves why are they are continuing to have “sex.” Hating one another is not “love” and therefore, not a part of their “act” together, and furthermore, not the “marital act” that the church condones. It is lust and using eachother as objects and the “use” of NFP may be simply to calm their fears of sinning any further than they already are. I would ask them to speak to a priest and not be afraid to seek the truth.:coffeeread: