Vasectomy a sin?

[Mommyof02green]

I don’t know about that. RCIA in my area is a total muddle, with nobody paying much attention to what the US Conference Of Bishops had to say about Candidates NOT being treated as Catechumans (see the link in my signature).

They may insist on a conditional baptism. I suppose this and other matters may or may not be cleared up as the RCIA class lurches towards the Easter Vigil.

O yes, baptised 1944, shortly after my birth, Church of England. Baptised again at age 14 in the Lutheran Church. Not sure why. The CoE baptisimal certificate was lost, church records were distroyed in WW-!!, and I suppose my Mother’s oral statement of my Baptism may not have been good enough evidence. Who knows at this late date?

Do you know what Lutheran Church, Where and When???
You might be able to get a record from them…
Or you have living witness still, parents, godparents etc…

If not then you will have a conditional baptism…

 

[Mommyof02green]

Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 1246:

“Every person not yet baptized and only such a person is able to be baptized.”

Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 1272:

Incorporated into Christ by Baptism, the person baptized is configured to Christ. Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark (character) of his belonging to Christ. No sin can erase this mark, even if sin prevents Baptism from bearing the fruits of salvation. Given once for all, Baptism cannot be repeated.

to read more from the CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) click here

Baptism is with water and the words “I baptized you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. I know that Lutherans baptize with water and use the words I baptized you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit… Therefore you will not be re-baptized. Unless there is not enough prove to show what you received in the Lutheran Church was a baptism, then you would get a conditional baptism. I don’t doubt was you receive was a baptism… I would talk to the priest at the parish you are going to RCIA and see what he thinks.

A conditional baptism is ONLY done if there is doubt that a person received a valid baptism. Again in order the baptism to be valid the water and the words “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." are needed.

In a conditional baptism the person baptizing with the water would say, “If you are NOT baptized, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

I would talk to the priest at the parish that you are going to… (too bad the RCIA program there isn’t strong).

I would also read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. There is the full CCC click here or there is the “compact” CCC click here

If you don’t want to buy the books there is a web-version click here for CCC on the web

Also I may I suggest the book “Catholicism for Dummies” by Rev. John Trigilio and Rev. Ken Brighenti click here

Also can you watch EWTN???
If so I highly suggest 2 programs “Crash Course In Catholicism” and “Father Corapi”. You can check out EWTN TV program guide to see when those programs are on in your area click here for program guide

If you are unable to watch EWTN on your TV, you can watch via the Internet. To watch EWTN TV via Internet click here

 

[LeahInancsi]

A vasectomy CAN be reversed, although it can be very expensive.

A great book to read concerning this topic is Life-Giving Love by Kimberly Hahn. A link to an summary of the book is
getfed.com/product_detail.cfm?ID=2929&AID=164&new=yes
It’s a book that’s based on a lot of research that she did for a class before she converted to Catholicism. I would recommend anyone to read it.

I don’t think the Catholic Church requires a reversal of sterilization, but I can’t find anything online that confirms that. I think that it is mentioned in the book. The church does require a sincere confession though before being able to receive Communion, which you’ll have the opportunity to do during Holy Week if you have already been baptized.

There is nothing to be gained by the reversal of a vasectomy unless it is in an attempt to have children. The Church certainly doesn’t require it.

In this gentleman’s particular situation, it may indeed be impossible. Factors being age, health, among other things.

 

[Andruschak]

A sponsor is someone who stands up with you at Confirmation and who helps support you as a soon-to-be and newly-confirmed Catholic. A sponsor needs to be a Catholic whose already is confirmed, and preferably be someone who will help you grow in your faith and pray for you. If you know any faithful Catholic as friends or mentors, those are good choices. If you don’t know anyone, the RCIA director probably knows someone at the parish willing to help you in your walk of faith as a newly confirmed Catholic.

So a “Sponser” is a sort of grown-up version of a God-Parent? Yes, I can see how that might be helpful.

I assume the RCIA Director will inform me who my Sponser is before the 5 November Rite Of Acceptence

 

[Andruschak]

Do you know what Lutheran Church, Where and When???
You might be able to get a record from them…
Or you have living witness still, parents, godparents etc…

If not then you will have a conditional baptism…

The RCIA FAcilitator informed me today that letters have been sent off, and they are hoping for a reply. It doesn’t matter, I have become quite able to accept a conditional baptism. Well, as long as they don’t do that full immersion thing

 

[EBSSTF4]

So a “Sponser” is a sort of grown-up version of a God-Parent? Yes, I can see how that might be helpful.

I assume the RCIA Director will inform me who my Sponser is before the 5 November Rite Of Acceptence

You do not have a Sponsor yet???

That is something that should have been addressed by now. Typically you pick you’re own Sponsor. Talk to the Director ASAP.

 

[Andruschak]

I would talk to the priest at the parish that you are going to… (too bad the RCIA program there isn’t strong).

I would also read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. There is the full CCC click here or there is the “compact” CCC click here

If you don’t want to buy the books there is a web-version click here for CCC on the web

Also I may I suggest the book “Catholicism for Dummies” by Rev. John Trigilio and Rev. Ken Brighenti click here

Also can you watch EWTN???
If so I highly suggest 2 programs “Crash Course In Catholicism” and “Father Corapi”. You can check out EWTN TV program guide to see when those programs are on in your area click here for program guide

If you are unable to watch EWTN on your TV, you can watch via the Internet. To watch EWTN TV via Internet click here

I have been trying to get an appointment with one of the 4 Priests at the Church. But one is on avcation and the others are quite busy. I’ll try again tomorrow to make an appointment.

I have a copy of the full 900 page catechism, and get daily instruction from catechismclass.com but we haven’t got to that part yet.

Yup, have a copy of Catholicism for Dummies, and a very good introduction it was.

No EWTN yet, lack of time.

 

[LeahInancsi]

You do not have a Sponsor yet???

That is something that should have been addressed by now. Typically you pick you’re own Sponsor. Talk to the Director ASAP.

While it is good to have a sponsor as soon as possible, there are occasions when a sponsor is not available. My DRE is always looking for people to volunteer to be sponsors but many people are not willing to deducate so much time to someone they don’t know.

I went for several months before a sponsor was found for me and I did beautifully. There was always someone available to answer my questions.

 

[Andruschak]

You do not have a Sponsor yet???

That is something that should have been addressed by now. Typically you pick you’re own Sponsor. Talk to the Director ASAP.

I have. For four weeks now. But who would I picK? I am coming into the Church due to…well, coincidences or Mother Mary really pushing me in the direction she wants me to go. Lots of coincidences. But I don’t know ANYBODY at the local church

Anyhow, what exactly am I supposed to do or say at the Rite Of Acceptence next 5 November?

 

[Andruschak]

There is nothing to be gained by the reversal of a vasectomy unless it is in an attempt to have children. The Church certainly doesn’t require it.

In this gentleman’s particular situation, it may indeed be impossible. Factors being age, health, among other things.

“Among other things” was that bilateral orchiectomy

 

[EBSSTF4]

I have. For four weeks now. But who would I picK? I am coming into the Church due to…well, coincidences or Mother Mary really pushing me in the direction she wants me to go. Lots of coincidences. But I don’t know ANYBODY at the local church

Anyhow, what exactly am I supposed to do or say at the Rite Of Acceptence next 5 November?

A Sponsor can be hard to choose. I was concerned by you’re earlier post, it sounded as if it had not been addressed. Each year several people in our class have the same problem choosing. It is nice if it can be someone you know personally, relative strangers can be hard to choose from. We always have a list of volunteers willing to be Sponsors.

 

[Mommyof02green]

I have. For four weeks now. But who would I picK? I am coming into the Church due to…well, coincidences or Mother Mary really pushing me in the direction she wants me to go. Lots of coincidences. But I don’t know ANYBODY at the local church

Anyhow, what exactly am I supposed to do or say at the Rite Of Acceptence next 5 November?

Seeing you don’t know Anybody that is Catholic you need to talk to the instructor of your RCIA class. Just tell them that you don’t know anyone.

Your instructor should help you find someone

God Bless.

 

[mosher]

I am not currently married, and in fact have never been married. My alcoholism had something to do with this, plus other factors

Then the desire to not have children as you mentioned is also not a sin but rather it is a sign that you were called to the single life. It is only a sin to not be open to life in matrimony so much so that it invalidates a marriage. However, in your case this is not an issue.

 

[Andruschak]

Then the desire to not have children as you mentioned is also not a sin but rather it is a sign that you were called to the single life. It is only a sin to not be open to life in matrimony so much so that it invalidates a marriage. However, in your case this is not an issue.

Thank you. I’ll just dump it all out in confession…please tell me those kneeling boards are well padded…and we shall see what penance may be involved. At least I know have a better idea, thanks to all the replies in the thread, what I am getting into.

Um, they ARE padded? Please?

 

[mosher]

Thank you. I’ll just dump it all out in confession…please tell me those kneeling boards are well padded…and we shall see what penance may be involved. At least I know have a better idea, thanks to all the replies in the thread, what I am getting into.

Um, they ARE padded? Please?

For my “first confession” I went face to face out of principle. It took about two to three hours so don’t worry too much. There is rarely a sin that a priest has not heard after hearing confessions for a month after ordination. So, while the chair was padded my rump was numb by the time I was done. If you will only have confession available to you through the screen on your knees … then just take it as a little extra penance that will serve you well.

 

[Mommyof02green]

Thank you. I’ll just dump it all out in confession…please tell me those kneeling boards are well padded…and we shall see what penance may be involved. At least I know have a better idea, thanks to all the replies in the thread, what I am getting into.

Um, they ARE padded? Please?

Yes the kneeler are padded…they are simular to the kneelers in the pews.

However, you don’t have to use the kneelers, you if you have the option for “face-to-face”. When you do “face-to-face” you sit in a chair. Some of the churches have remodeled to have confessionals that have the options for “face-to-face” or kneeling behind the screen/curtain. So it would be up to you, if you have both options.

Some churches still have the older confessionals and you do not have the option for “face-to-face”.

 

[Boston]

A vasectomy can be reversed, though it costs substantially more to do so, as it involves microsurgical repair of the vas deferens. The surgery involved is also more serious, sometimes requiring general anesthesia, suturing, and a longer recovery period.

Vasectomy reversal success varies based on several factors:

1. Type of vasectomy performed.
2. Time passed since vasectomy.

Obviously the various sterilization methods available to the surgeon affect the success of a reversal; if a section of the vas was removed, as some surgeons do, then recanalization is more difficult. Whether or not one has an open or closed ended vasectomy affects it as well, as an open-ended procedure leaves the testes end of the vas closed with just a clip, and the urethral end cauterized; the closed-ended cauterizes both ends, I believe.

The time passed since the procedure is important; while recanalization can be achieved through surgery, successful sperm production is in God’s hands; after the vasectomy, due to the sperm buildup, the immune system reclassifies sperm as foreign bodies, and creates anti-sperm antibodies. Inflammation resulting from sperm recycling is often damaging to the small tubes of the epididymis, and creates a blockage, which then requires major surgery to correct. This situation is more likely in the case of a vasectomy performed years ago.

Vasectomy is a way for couples to continue to enjoy sex once a desired number of children has been reached. But as far as family planning goes, taking the pill is just as sinful as it involves tampering with the body to prevent reproduction. But what the hard-liners who preach what I just said, those people never seem to ask about the sin of being careless with sex and bringing children into an environment that may be bad for them… e.g. not enough parental income, poor living conditions, etc.

So when considering a vasectomy, it should be understood that the teaching of the Church is that all birth control is a sin, but which sin is greater, the sin of birth control or the sin of bringing children into a world unfit for them? Just because someone is married doesn’t mean they can be a parent. There are a lot of messed up people in society, who owe their states to their parents. It’s the most important job on the planet, and if you aren’t up to the task, you might do the world more harm than good by “trying it out”.

I know all sin is repulsive in the eye of God, but some sins hurt more people than others. Not to rationalize, of course… but Rome isn’t going to put clothes on the back of those kids, or feed them.

I suppose all I can say is that birth control is a very tough issue, and one must think about it long and hard when considering its use.

 

[Sillara]

But what the hard-liners who preach what I just said, those people never seem to ask about the sin of being careless with sex and bringing children into an environment that may be bad for them… e.g. not enough parental income, poor living conditions, etc.

So when considering a vasectomy, it should be understood that the teaching of the Church is that all birth control is a sin, but which sin is greater, the sin of birth control or the sin of bringing children into a world unfit for them? Just because someone is married doesn’t mean they can be a parent. There are a lot of messed up people in society, who owe their states to their parents. It’s the most important job on the planet, and if you aren’t up to the task, you might do the world more harm than good by “trying it out”.

I know all sin is repulsive in the eye of God, but some sins hurt more people than others. Not to rationalize, of course… but Rome isn’t going to put clothes on the back of those kids, or feed them.

I suppose all I can say is that birth control is a very tough issue, and one must think about it long and hard when considering its use.

Actually, if you do not want to have children, then do not have sex. Sex is wonderful, but it has two aspects, unitive and procreative. We are not to purposely separate the two. The Church’s teaching is quite clear.

The OP is joining the Catholic Church; presumably, therefore, he is willing to submit to her authority. She teaches that birth control is wrong, and she is right to do so.