Catholic teachings on sexual morality

Catholic Teachings on Sexual Morality

Catholic teachings on sexual morality are rooted in the belief that human sexuality is a gift from God, intended to be expressed within the bounds of marriage between a man and a woman. These teachings are derived from Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. The Church's moral teachings emphasize the dignity of the human person, the sanctity of marriage, and the procreative and unitive purposes of sexual activity.

Foundational Principles

The Catholic Church's teachings on sexual morality are based on several key principles:

The Dignity of the Human Person

The Church teaches that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God, and therefore possesses inherent dignity. This belief underpins the Church's moral teachings, including those on sexuality. Human sexuality is seen as a fundamental aspect of the human person, and its expression should respect the dignity of both individuals involved.

The Sanctity of Marriage

Marriage is considered a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, instituted by God. The Church teaches that sexual activity is reserved for marriage, where it serves both a unitive and procreative purpose. The unitive aspect refers to the deepening of the loving bond between spouses, while the procreative aspect refers to the openness to the creation of new life.

The Procreative and Unitive Purposes

According to Catholic teaching, sexual intercourse has two primary purposes: procreation and the unification of the married couple. These purposes are inseparable, and any act that deliberately frustrates either purpose is considered morally wrong. This teaching is articulated in the encyclical Humanae Vitae by Pope Paul VI.

Specific Teachings

Chastity

Chastity is a virtue that calls for the integration of sexuality within the person, in accordance with their state of life. For married couples, chastity involves fidelity to one's spouse and openness to life. For unmarried individuals, it involves abstinence from sexual activity.

Contraception

The Catholic Church opposes the use of artificial contraception, as it is believed to separate the procreative purpose from the unitive purpose of sexual intercourse. Natural Family Planning (NFP) is promoted as a moral alternative for regulating births.

Homosexuality

The Church distinguishes between homosexual orientation and homosexual acts. While it teaches that homosexual orientation is not sinful, it holds that homosexual acts are contrary to the natural law and cannot fulfill the procreative and unitive purposes of sexuality.

Premarital and Extramarital Sex

The Church teaches that sexual activity is reserved for marriage. Premarital and extramarital sexual relations are considered sinful because they do not fulfill the full meaning of the sexual act as intended by God.

Contemporary Issues

The Church's teachings on sexual morality often come into conflict with contemporary societal norms. Issues such as same-sex marriage, contraception, and gender identity are areas of ongoing dialogue and debate both within the Church and in broader society.

Also see

• Humanae Vitae
• Theology of the Body
• Natural Family Planning
• Catholic views on marriage
• Catholic Church and homosexuality