Understanding about Moral teaching on incest

[gwls333]

I am trying to compile some understanding on the issue of incest in general, such as what are the specific reasons why the Church denounces it, both natural and supernatural, what the family structure is supposed to look like and how the family is supposed to function and how that relates to the issue of incest, what about the issue of step-family, previous family members (i.e. a man/woman who married into your family, had half-brother/sisters with your mother; then the marriage was annulled), etc. How does one understand the issue in the church’s explanation that it “corrupts family relationships and marks a regression toward animality” (CCC 2388). As well, what about those people from broken families who may marry each other, have children, and then only later find out that they were related… There are just a lot of questions that arise past the first level of incest (that between parent and child or blood relative and other blood relative). This information will help with my understanding greatly and be able to refute those who don’t accept the Catholic teaching authority.

 

[ibo]

I am trying to compile some understanding on the issue of incest in general, such as what are the specific reasons why the Church denounces it, both natural and supernatural, what the family structure is supposed to look like and how the family is supposed to function and how that relates to the issue of incest, what about the issue of step-family, previous family members (i.e. a man/woman who married into your family, had half-brother/sisters with your mother; then the marriage was annulled), etc. How does one understand the issue in the church’s explanation that it “corrupts family relationships and marks a regression toward animality” (CCC 2388). As well, what about those people from broken families who may marry each other, have children, and then only later find out that they were related… There are just a lot of questions that arise past the first level of incest (that between parent and child or blood relative and other blood relative). This information will help with my understanding greatly and be able to refute those who don’t accept the Catholic teaching authority.

Incest brings with it anomalies in the DNA. People tend to marry outside their relations. How humanity discovered that before the knowing of DNA, i dont know. It is a complicated case but I would not seaarch it inside the Cathlic church only.

 

[Lord_Timmsey]

Incest brings with it anomalies in the DNA. People tend to marry outside their relations. How humanity discovered that before the knowing of DNA, i dont know. It is a complicated case but I would not seaarch it inside the Cathlic church only.

I don’t have concrete sources to cite, but I do know that incest amplifies the likelihood of contracting genetic diseases and deformities. This is because genetic diseases tend to run in families (I think), and thus keeping one’s sexual partners inside the family will only keep those diseases inside the family and increase the likelihood of their manifestation. If two family members are carrier for a genetic disease, then if they produce offspring together, there is a much greater chance of the disease manifesting simply because they are both carriers. If only one person was a carrier, then there would be little or no risk at all.

That’s my admittedly imperfect understanding of the issue, anyway. And I assume that people in the old days figured it out simply by observing what happened to the children of those who intermarried as opposed to those who didn’t. It must have hit them at some point that those children of people who intermarried seemed more likely to experience deformities and diseases, and so they decided to avoid that.

 

[jmjconder]

Incest is having sexual relations (any sexual relations) with someone you cannot marry.

Father John Hardon’s definition is clear…

INCEST. Sexual intercourse between those who are related by blood or marriage and whom the Church forbids to marry. It is a sin both against chastity and the virtue of piety or reverence due to those closely related to us. Between parent and child, or brother and sister it is also a crime against nature. (Etym. Latin in-, not + castus, chastity: incestus, unchastity, incest.)

 

[filter2700]

I’m not sure what the position of the Church is either when it comes to step-family so I can only try to give you my opinion.

“what about the issue of step-family, previous family members (i.e. a man/woman who married into your family, had half-brother/sisters with your mother; then the marriage was annulled),”

If you’re related at all, by blood, then you aren’t supposed to be married under the Catholic church. Half-brothers/sisters is still blood.

If two parents with children who aren’t blood related get married, then divorced, I think the kids could be married if they wanted to, because they aren’t blood and the marriage is over. Some will probably argue they were already married so that isn’t possible, but I don’t see why not as they aren’t a family anymore and there is no blood relation.

“what about those people from broken families who may marry each other, have children, and then only later find out that they were related…”

I don’t hear about many people being married in the Church later to find out they are related, but I guess the Church lets it slide. That seems kinda hypocritical I think, so someone should definitely clear this up. I think it’s probably because they didn’t know they were related, I think now a days they might research a persons family tree or something.

 

[gwls333]

As far as being an offense against chastity and the reverence one should have for one’s family members, is this due to the issue of what the family structure is supposed to look like, that one should treat another in the family specially as only and primarily a family member (which includes, as does every other relation with another, treating them with the dignity endowed by God to them as a human being but precludes certain other relationships, just as a psychologist should not date his/her patients due to a conflict of interests intrinsic to those relationships)? I am just trying to get a greater comprehension on this complex issue. It may be that it is a mystery of the family, just as the Trinity and God’s grace and the soul are mysteries. I am completely in with the Catholic Church on its teachings, of course, it would just be nice to have better explanation and foundational fleshing-out than just to quote St. Paul and say that it corrupts family relationships and reverts to animality (which I can understand how and definitely accept).

 

[kaiseresiak]

How can one make reparation when he/she committed incest and it brought fruit. What process can the CHurch offer?

 

[mikeeh]

What about the issue of step-family, previous family members (i.e. a man/woman who married into your family, had half-brother/sisters with your mother; then the marriage was annulled), etc.

As far as I know if they are not blood related it is permitted, just not encouraged. Although all cousin marriage is permitted, but first-cousin marriage requires a dispensation. Half-siblings are blood related, therefore not permitted.

As well, what about those people from broken families who may marry each other, have children, and then only later find out that they were related.

For this you may need to ask someone with a greater understanding of canon law, but I would assume they would be counseled and if choosing to stay together would be granted a dispensation or if choosing to separate be granted a quick annulment. This is assuming they already have children together. This is also an issue for those conceived via sperm donor.