Sperm analysis

[slywakka250]

A perforated condom and a natural act of marital intercourse are permitted for the collection of a semen sample for a couple of reasons, by my understanding.:

(1) The Church places no “percentage effectiveness threshold” beyond which a device is contraceptive. Either it is, or it isn’t. In the case of the perforated condom, what matters is that semen from the act is present in the woman, leaving open the possibility of conception.

(2) Coupled with this is the importance of the couple’s intentions in choosing to use a perforated condom. Their intention is to collect a sample and take it to the lab for analysis; their intention is not contraceptive in the least, and they are doing everything they can to make the act as procreative as possible while still obtaining the necessary sample for analysis.

It’s important to note that these two reasons don’t stand alone–they describe both the object and the intention of the act of semen collection as a moral act.

Well since you draw this distinction between intention and object, I ask, how is a regular condom different from a perforated condom in regards to “moral object.” As we all know, regular condoms are not 100% effective, so everyone who uses one is technically “open to life” as far as the “object” is concerned. The just usually lack the intention. But if you say the object must also be moral, how is a regular condom any different from a perforated condom???

Another example. What if the man or woman has an std, some sort of infection that he or she doesn’t want to give to her spouse. Here the intention when using the condom might be to prevent an infection. Is a perforated condom allowed in this case, because it is still open to life, but very slightly decreases the odds of infection??

Its so unclear where to draw the line. This is why this kind of morality just doesn’t make sense to me, when one small misstep with full knowledge and consent could equal hell, when dealing with the serious matter of sexuality.

 

[rick43235]

This thread should be required reading for anyone contemplating converting to Catholicism.

 

[Adam1986]

I think that a man can masturbate for a sperm analysis, if the analysis is made for a good reason. It is indeed the natural way to obtain the sperm.

Of course he can. No question.

 

[OraLabora]

In the event that your interpretation is not altogether correct, what would you do?

Like for every other way in which we fall short, rely on God’s mercy.

Given the somewhat narrow wording of the CCC quote, it would be quite understandable that one could interpret the statement differently than what its author intended, in which case I don’t think that the conditions for mortal sin are fulfilled. But as you point out there is no harm, and perhaps much benefit, in bringing it up with a confessor, if in doubt.

Honestly, sometimes I think this is the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Answers Forum… especially when it comes to matters sexual.

This thread should be required reading for anyone contemplating converting to Catholicism.

I don’t think it would be fair to say that this particular website represents the Catholic Church as a whole. My experience in the confessional in a very orthodox Benedictine monastery has been much different, with far more mercy and compassion shown than what one can find here.

People struggling with infertility have enough baggage to deal with, without having to worry about how Saint Thomas of Aquinas recommends they collect their sperm sample.

You’d think if an ambulance was taking someone to the hospital in an emergency, it could exceed the speed limit somewhat. Similarly I think it’s quite possible to be against masturbation as a means of self-pleasure without making use of it in an exceptional circumstance such as for medical diagnosis, a mortal sin.

 

[rick43235]

I don’t think it would be fair to say that this particular website represents the Catholic Church as a whole.

OK…in fairness, I have to agree. I attend mass with my Catholic wife every week. I also participate with her in a few parish activities. Our parish is a community of, for the most part, fine, compassionate people. There are very few CAF’ers there. That said, I have no doubt that many of the opinions expressed on CAF are a true reflection of Catholic moral teaching. Anyone converting to Catholicism should not only study what the Church really teaches, but how it would affect their life in a practical sense. (Especially if they are male and have to give a sperm sample. “Perforated condoms?” How absurd! A needle to the scrotum?)

 

[OraLabora]

OK…in fairness, I have to agree. I attend mass with my Catholic wife every week. I also participate with her in a few parish activities. Our parish is a community of, for the most part, fine, compassionate people. There are very few CAF’ers there. That said, I have no doubt that many of the opinions expressed on CAF are a true reflection of Catholic moral teaching. Anyone converting to Catholicism should not only study what the Church really teaches, but how it would affect their life in a practical sense. (Especially if they are male and have to give a sperm sample. “Perforated condoms?” How absurd! A needle to the scrotum?)

Drawing a sample from the testicles will do nothing to test fertility as the testicles may be fine but the vas deferens blocked elsewhere.

You have to keep in mind though, while the Church teaches a moral absolute, we humans will never attain it in all spheres of life. Which is why we have the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

As my confessor said about a particular recurrent sin I was (and am) struggling with: “God asks you to work at improving yourself, He knows you may fall from time to time and will be merciful if you ask for forgiveness. But don’t go overboard to the point you become so uptight that you make life miserable for everyone around you!”.