Is it a sin for my wife and I to continue to engage in sexual intercourse now that we can no longer have children? My wife had a total hysterectomy at age 34.

-- Kerry DuBois (1241graysil@earthlink.net), February 06, 2003

Answers

If she had the hysterectomy for a medical condition, than there is no problem with you having relations. If she had the operation in order to sterilize herself, than this was wrong, should be confessed in confession, and, although relations would be allowed, you might want to consider limiting sex as a matter of sacrifice. (I'm not saying this to judge you, and am assuming she had the op for valid medical reasons).

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), February 06, 2003.

I'm not sure what you mean by "limiting" but in any case her surgery was for medical reasons, however, my understanding was that "recreational" sex is prohibited, and therefore, for instance, women who are menopausal--barren--can no longer have marital relations. If this is not true, when did the law change?

-- Kerry DuBois (1241graysil@earthlink.net), February 06, 2003.

Dear Kerry,

Your understanding is incorrect. Marital sex is for two essential purposes - unitive and procreative. Every act of intercourse must be open to both purposes. However, openess to procreation is a matter of attiutude or mindset, and does not presuppose the physical possibility of conception. When a married couple make love, they are open to God strengthening the love that is the core of their relationship, and they are also open to God giving them a child if that is His will. Such an attitude can be present, even in the absence of physical possibility of conception, and the unitive aspect of the sexual relationship must not be allowed to suffer because of a physical deficit. Thus, married couples may, and should continue to express their love physically, with openness to both relationship and procreation, even when physical circumstances would seem to render conception impossible. Thus, marital relationships are apppropriate when one of the couple has been rendered infertile by medically required surgery, or by disease; when the woman is in the infertile part of her cycle; when they are too old to conceive; and also in cases where one of the couple was sterile from the outset of the marriage. Such circumstances do not preclude an attitude of openess to conception. Likewise, the known infertility of a person prior to marriage is not an impediment to entering marriage, for a proper attitude toward procreation can exist even though the physical means may be lacking.

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), February 06, 2003.

Christina, as a matter of sacrifice, could you limit your wisdom ejaculating answers to silence? Loving couples would be happy!

-- (JamesBond@ail.com), February 06, 2003.

Very well put, Paul! Pax Christi.

-- Anna <>< (FloweroftheHour@hotmail.com), February 06, 2003.

This forum does take its disturbing twists.

-- jake (jake1@pngusa.net), February 06, 2003.

Yes, looks like "Sybil" is taking her multiple personalities online! ;-)

-- Christine L. :-) (christine_lehman@hotmail.com), February 07, 2003.