Sexuality in old age

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PETER_SERIOUS

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In a valid marriage between two catholics who have lost the capacity for normal sexual intercourse (well beyond child-bearing) are there any constraints on their expression of mutual love and affection even expressions which may leaad to orgasm?
 
PETER_SERIOUS said:
In a valid marriage between two catholics who have lost the capacity for normal sexual intercourse (well beyond child-bearing) are there any constraints on their expression of mutual love and affection even expressions which may leaad to orgasm?
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Humanae Vitae, Observing the Natural Law:
  1. The sexual activity, in which husband and wife are intimately and chastely united with one another, through which human life is transmitted, is, as the recent Council recalled, "noble and worthy.’’ (11) It does not, moreover, cease to be legitimate even when, for reasons independent of their will, it is foreseen to be infertile. For its natural adaptation to the expression and strengthening of the union of husband and wife is not thereby suppressed. The fact is, as experience shows, that new life is not the result of each and every act of sexual intercourse. God has wisely ordered laws of nature and the incidence of fertility in such a way that successive births are already naturally spaced through the inherent operation of these laws. The Church, nevertheless, in urging men to the observance of the precepts of the natural law, which it interprets by its constant doctrine, teaches that each and every marital act must of necessity retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of human life. (12)
 
To Lurking

You misunderstand the question. The couples are unable to engage in intercourse for medical or aging reasons. Thus, there is not the issue of " every marital act must be open to pregnancy". Another comment mentions the advanced age of Sarah (biblical) as an argument for “open to child-bearing”. In the hypothetical this is not an issue. Older couples seek affection appropriate for their age and marital status.
 
Let me try again.
PETER_SERIOUS said:
are there any constraints on their expression of mutual love and affection even expressions which may leaad to orgasm?
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Yes, there are constraints: No deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure is allowed.
 
To : Lurking

there seems to be various opinions among priests. Could you cite an authoritative source especially one which is published an accessible? Your help much appreciated.
 
PETER_SERIOUS said:
To : Lurking

there seems to be various opinions among priests. Could you cite an authoritative source especially one which is published an accessible? Your help much appreciated.
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The authoritative source was my Humanae Vitae quote above.

Persona Humana (see here) is also worth reading. For example:

This same principle, which the Church holds from Divine Revelation and from her authentic interpretation of the natural law, is also the basis of her traditional doctrine, which states that the use of the sexual function has its true meaning and moral rectitude only in true marriage.

…

This opinion is contrary to Christian doctrine, which states that every genital act must be within the framework of marriage.

…

The main reason is that, whatever the motive for acting this way, the deliberate use of the sexual faculty outside normal conjugal relations essentially contradicts the finality of the faculty.

All deliberate exercise of sexuality must be reserved to this regular relationship.
Putting it all together: Genital stimulation is only moral within the context of the marital act, which to be moral must take place within completed, non-contracepted intercourse.
 
PETER_SERIOUS said:
To : Lurking

there seems to be various opinions among priests. Could you cite an authoritative source especially one which is published an accessible? Your help much appreciated.
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What you are talking about are masturbatory acts. The couple may not stimulate each other’s sexual organs without some intention to proceed to intercourse. You aren’t going to see a lot of this easily accessible online. Can you buy a book?

Perhaps a moral theology book or Christopher Wests The good news about sex and marriage?

It’s the same principal for married couples who wish to do not intercourse sexual acts on their fertile days.Or oral sex to completion at any time.Or have been told no intercourse for a period of time for a medical reason, etc. Not permissable. The marital embrace needs to be procreative and unitive in form .

Such couples show their love in many ways. Many non sexual ways but they still show their love.
 
I would have to agree that if you were to set this question among twelve priests you would have a hung jury. Reaonably so since a couple in their 70’s had their procreative facutiles removed by nature. In reality each act can only be for the conjugal embrace. Or so how some may see it. Anyway, I am not here to state my views but to second the comment above on how you would get different opinions from the clergy…teachccd
 
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