The Catholic Marriage Bed

This book addresses a single question in ethics: Which sexual acts are moral between a husband and wife? The question is answered by considering the teachings of Saints Jerome, Augustine, Aquinas, Liguori, and Pope Saint John Paul II, as well as the teachings of Sacred Scripture and the Roman Catholic Magisterium. The opinions of present-day priests and theologians are reviewed, and arguments on both sides are examined and explained. This book should not be controversial. It merely presents the view of marital sexual ethics traditionally held in the Catholic Church. The conclusions of the book are well-supported by magisterial teachings, biblical teachings, and the theology of Saints and Doctors of the Church. Many orthodox theologians, past and present, have taught this same understanding. And in light of the most recent teachings of the Magisterium, no other conclusion is possible. The only moral sexual act is natural marital relations open to life, for that act alone is inherently marital, unitive, and procreative.

"This book addresses a single question in ethics: Which sexual acts are moral between a husband and wife? The question is answered by considering the teachings of Saints Jerome, Augustine, Aquinas, Liguori, and Pope Saint John Paul II, as well as the teachings of Sacred Scripture and the Roman Catholic Magisterium. The opinions of present-day priests and theologians are reviewed, and arguments on both sides are examined and explained. This book should not be controversial. It merely presents the view of marital sexual ethics traditionally held in the Catholic Church. The conclusions of the book are well-supported by magisterial teachings, biblical teachings, and the theology of Saints and Doctors of the Church. Many orthodox theologians, past and present, have taught this same understanding. And in light of the most recent teachings of the Magisterium, no other conclusion is possible. The only moral sexual act is natural marital relations open to life, for that act alone is inherently marital, unitive, and procreative." - amazon.com, 12/8/22.

The Catholic Church on Marital Intercourse traces the development of the Church's theology of marital sexuality from New Testament times to the present day. The early ecclesial leaders promoted a theology of sexuality based on Stoicism's biological perception that sexual activity was solely for the purpose of reproduction. Only in the early twentieth century did a few theologians begin to move beyond discussing 'the purposes of marital intercourse' to discussing the meaning that the marital act might have for the spouses themselves. With the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), a new and positive view of marital sexuality emerged recognizing the Pauline view that the couple's marital acts express their love for each other along the lines of Christ's love for his church (Ephesians 5). In sum, The Catholic Church on Marital Intercourse treats the way in which the Catholic Church has moved away from an attitude of conditional acceptance of marital intercourse on the basis of its utility to recognition that the dynamics of sexual union are both good and holy, not only because that is the way children are conceived, but also because the marital act enhances the love of husband and wife for each other.

This book presents the teachings of the Roman Catholic Faith on sexual ethics for married couples. It addresses a fairly narrow topic: not marriage in general, and not ethics in general, but marital sexual ethics. The author, Ronald L. Conte Jr., is the translator of the Catholic Public Domain Version of the Bible, a conservative Catholic translation of the Latin Vulgate. He is also the author of the books: 'The Catechism of Catholic Ethics' and 'Roman Catholic Teaching on Abortion and Contraception'. His other books cover diverse subjects in theology, including Mariology, Biblical chronology, eschatology, and other topics. The good news about sex and marriage offered by this book is that the teachings of the Magisterium on marital sexual ethics are clear and definitive. But in order to follow those teachings, sexuality must be given its proper and limited place in the scale of spiritual and temporal values. Other works on this topic offer enthusiastic praise for sex within marriage, while ignoring the basic principles of ethics; they over-emphasize sex and under-emphasize ethics. They distort the theology of the body taught by Pope John Paul II, and ignore his magisterial teachings on the three fonts of morality. But if you are faithful to Christ, then you know in your heart of hearts that the marital bedroom is not exempt from the moral law. The marital bed is not a morality-free zone. Therefore, this book begins with the basic principles of morality taught by Pope John Paul II in Veritatis Splendor. These principles are the foundation of Catholic moral theology. Then, with a clear understanding of essential ethical principles, we examine specific teachings on sexual morality found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Humanae Vitae, Casti Connubii, Evangelium Vitae, Familiaris Consortio, and many other magisterial documents, and well as in the Bible and in the writings of the Saints. The main topics addressed are: contraception, abortion, artificial procreation (e.g. IVF), and various types of sexual acts within marriage. The book includes a brief discussion of the theological, moral, and intellectual virtues. For in order to avoid committing sexual sin (or any other type of sin), one must cooperate with grace in acts of love, faith, hope, and all the virtues given to us by God. A few other topics are covered briefly, including sexual sins in general, differences in roles of the husband and wife, etc. The final chapter answers 30 common questions on marital sexual ethics.

Is God concerned about who you marry? Does God have someone in mind just for you for the vocation of marriage? Can you really know who God wants you to marry? The answer to all these questions is a joyful and resounding YES! The Exclamation: The Wise Choice of a Spouse for Catholic Marriage is a uniquely Catholic "how to" guide for making good and holy decisions about who to date, who to court seriously, and ultimately, who to marry. With so many people making the wrong choices in marriage today, The Exclamation is a godsend for avoiding a bad marriage decision and helping you to marry well within God ́s plan. Discover the scriptural basis for the concept that God has selected a holy spouse and helpmate just for you. How to know if you are even called to the vocation of marriage in the first place. Learn the Catholic Church ́s tried and true methods for discerning God ́s will in your life decisions. How to apply the principles of discernment when evaluating the people you meet and date. Ten Catholic speed dating techniques that will help you weed out and discover quickly those who are not your future spouse. The holy role sexual attraction plays in choosing the right person for Catholic marriage. Living out a chastity plan while discerning if someone is "the one." Avoiding hyper-perfectionism when seeking your Catholic spouse. How to really open your eyes to those God brings into your life, so you don ́t accidentally pass up the right person for you. Asking the right questions about someone you are considering for marriage. Using communal discernment as a couple to determine if you are called to marry each other. Marriage is the most important decision you will ever make. The Exclamation offers guidance for the Catholic who wants to do God ́s will in the sacrament of marriage and is an encouraging affirmation that God really does have a plan for your love life. This book can be the map that leads you to your greatest earthly treasure: your Catholic spouse.

This book offers readers an easily readable, down-to-earth and stimulating account of the reasons why the Church's teaching on sex and marriage is true, and, because it is true, 'good news' for people today. The author shows the dignity of men and women as sexual beings made in God's image and likeness, and whom we are to love for themselves and never to use as objects of enjoyment.

This comprehensive volume brings together an impressive array of Christian writers to examine sexuality, marriage, and family from the perspective of scripture, ancient Christian writers, Christian history, the official teachings of the Catholic Church, and contemporary theological reflection. As useful as it is profound, Sexuality, Marriage, and Family offers an in-depth exploration of the moral and ethical considerations surrounding issues such as sexuality, divorce, remarriage, conception, and sexual equality. It is an invaluable resource for college-level courses on marriage, parish-based marriage preparation courses, and the general reader who wishes to explore the issues, debates, and development of the Catholic tradition on sex, marriage, and family.