sterilization

[stephanie29]

My husband and I are both catholic. For some time we were not practicing and didn’t fully understand the church’s teachings on birth control and because I was very ill during all of my 3 pregnancies We decided to undergo a tubal ligation procedure. Now that I have come to know my faith so much more I know that we I have done is a horrible sin. Do I have to make every effort to have this reversed, or what do I have to do? And can anyone recommend any resources?

 

[Theophorus]

I would talk to a/your priest about it. that way you can sit down and discuss in detail the situation you are facing and what steps you have to take.

The National Catholic Bioethics centre may be able to help you:
ncbcenter.org

God Bless

 

[dgr]

I don’t think you need to reverse the procedure, but I’m not a priest. I would tell a priest the case in the sacrament of reconciliatoin and ask God for foregiveness, listen to the priest, receive God’s grace, receive absolution and move on in your life with Christ.

 

[bnbkaine]

Hey there-

I am in the same boat. I guess that there are people who have utilized NFP methods as a sort of atonement for the tubal. I don’t. I went to Confession and received absolution; I still mention it as a “sin of my past life” but I do not dwell on it. My husband and I are very open to life if God chooses to bless us with another child, but I don’t know if undertaking another surgery that may or may not work is necessary. That being said, I would probably consider it anyway. I guess my advice is: be truly contrite, seek absolution and penance in the sacrament, and be open to life within your marriage.

 

[stephanie29]

Thank you for your comment. I truely wish that I had thought more about what God’s plan for me was rather than what I plan for my life. I wish I could undo what I did. I feel that it has changed me as a woman, it has taken something from me. I don’t know if you ever feel that way?

Thank you

 

[jwashu]

My husband and I are both catholic. For some time we were not practicing and didn’t fully understand the church’s teachings on birth control and because I was very ill during all of my 3 pregnancies We decided to undergo a tubal ligation procedure. Now that I have come to know my faith so much more I know that we I have done is a horrible sin. Do I have to make every effort to have this reversed, or what do I have to do? And can anyone recommend any resources?

You do not have to have the procedure reversed, in fact it sounds like you didn’t even know it was a mortal sin when it was done and thus… it wasn’t.

However I would talk to your Priest about it and confess ignorance and the procedure during confession to be certain of absolution.

After that I believe God wants you to love and raise those 3 children being the best Catholic mom possible. Remember that our lives should be a journey towards Christ, looking to Him and learning from past mistakes is what we are called to do.

You can also search the Ask and Apologist section if you want confirmation on the fact that you don’t have to have it reversed.

Joe

 

[Rence]

Thank you for your comment. I truely wish that I had thought more about what God’s plan for me was rather than what I plan for my life. I wish I could undo what I did. I feel that it has changed me as a woman, it has taken something from me. I don’t know if you ever feel that way?

Thank you

The Church doesn’t require that you have the procedure reversed, but it sounds like YOU would like to have it reversed. So I would pursue that, and I wish you the very best of luck and will pray for you