Intimacy: Special Cases

[Caedmon]

What does the RCC say about intimacy during pregnancy, after menopause, or after irreversible surgical sterilization(such as hysterectomy)? How can intimacy have -- according to the RCC -- a valid purpose, if the possibility of conception does not exist? Would that not reduce it to a mere indulgence in the pleasurable, as opposed to procreative, aspect? All comments are appreciated.

 

[Defender of the Faith 777]

Why would the church have a canon about when you are and when you're not allowed to sleep with your wife? Not to be disrespectful, but if y'all have a mutual desicion to "make babies", the church shouldn't have interferences with its member's intimacies. I am hoping that the church does not have a set of laws about that, I'm not sure.

 

[_Orion]

In all of the above cases...the couple is still open to life...That's the test I think.

 

[KC Catholic]

Defender 777 - Just a reminder, this is a question directed at Catholic teachings - it should be answered by someone who is Catholic.

I noticed that on another thread. We don't mind opposing viewpoints, but at least grant the courtsey of allowing a Catholic to answer the question before offering your opinion.

Thanks.

 

[Trento]

What does the RCC say about intimacy during pregnancy, after menopause, or after irreversible surgical sterilization(such as hysterectomy)? How can intimacy have -- according to the RCC

The RCC would look at Bible and see that Sara and Elizabeth were both beyond child bearing age and realise that nothing is impossible with God.

 

[seebs]

Well, if *nothing* is beyond God, why all the fuss about contraception? If He wants you to have kids, you will.

 

[Caedmon]

I suppose that the "open to life" argument is somewhat adequate, but I request more specific information, preferably individual responses for the three scenarios I presented. If there is indeed not a technical possibility of procreation/conception, then how can it still hold both aspects, unitive and procreative?

 

[isshinwhat]

The sin comes in willfully denying the fullness of the gift of intimacy. In most of the cases you have listed, there is no willful denial of that gift.

Pregnancy is a natural result of intimacy, so I don't think there would be any problem there, as there is not a willful denial...I mean...she's already pregnant

Menopause would be the same way: no outright resistance to the will of God.

The procedures you mentioned, though, would require a little discernment. If they were done to rectify a health problem, then the sterilization was an unfortunate result, not the sole intent of the procedure. In that case, same as the above two.

If they were done solely to sterilize, though, that is a different story. Any intimacy after that would not be pleasing to God until the one who was operated on had honestly asked for forgiveness and recognized the gravity of what he/she had done through the operation. After that, I think the slate would be clean and then you are stuck with another unfortunate situation, but one which at that point is unavoidable. From that point on, you only have what you have to work with and there is no willful denial. I am no authority, though.

God Bless,

Neal