So you are probably here because you are thinking of using a condom and confused if it is against your Faith or maybe totally just out of curiosity, regardless of your reason, you are in the right place! In this blog post, we will deep dive into one of the most frequent questions among Catholics, Is it a sin to use condoms when married?
Contraception
Before we give a clear answer to the question, let’s discuss first what the Catholic Church has to say about contraception in general.
The Church has always been firm in its stance on contraception. Its teachings are rooted in the Natural Law, Scripture, Tradition, and actual human experience. That marital act is both unitive and procreative, which contraception discards.
Catechism
Let’s take a closer look by quoting straight right from the Catechism.
2399 The regulation of births represents one of the aspects of responsible fatherhood and motherhood. Legitimate intentions on the part of the spouses do not justify recourse to morally unacceptable means (for example, direct sterilization or contraception).
Clearly, the Catechism is against contraception.
Condom
Made of a thin pouch or sheath that prevents pregnancy by stopping the sperm meet the egg, a condom is widely used as this is accessible usually over the counter.
As a form of contraception or birth control, as explained above, Catholics are not allowed to use condoms.
Sin
Now, to answer the question.
Is it a Sin to Use Condoms when Married?
Yes, using condoms even when married is a sin. Regardless of marital status, it is against the teaching of the Catholic Church to use contraception. That marital act must be unitive and procreative.
Moral or Venial
Using condoms as a way to avoid pregnancy is a sin.
Having said that, is it mortal or venial?
Just a brief recap, the Catholic Church has categories of sin depending on the gravity.
It could be mortal or venial.
These are the conditions for a sin to be mortal.
- It must involve grave matter
- Committed with full knowledge
- Committed with deliberate consent
Let’s use using a condom for a married couple as an example.
If a couple had used a condom, aware that it would prevent the creation of new life and that it is a sin but still committed it, then there is a mortal sin.
To elaborate.
First, using contraception is a grave matter. It hinders the natural power to generate a new life. The Church has been pro-life since as it opposes other means to end it such as abortion and euthanasia.
Next, that person committed it with full knowledge. It means there was a consciousness that it is a sin.
Finally, committed it with full consent. Despite the fact that there was a knowledge that it was sinful, it was still deliberately committed.
Note that all conditions must exist. If a sin lacks even just one of the conditions, it will then fall as venial.
However, since it is a grave matter, confessing it is encouraged before receiving Communion.
Note that the reception of the Eucharist in the state of mortal sin is another mortal sin.
How to confess using condoms as a sin?
To confess, the couple has to tell the priest that they used a condom.
They can also mention to him the times or how long have they been practicing this sin.
The priest will then give them counsel, ask them for penance, and finally absolve them.
To know more about confessing other sexual sins, here’s a guide.
If it is your first time in confession, you can check this Confession Guide.
Conclusion
As the world is evolving, lustful acts are becoming a norm. Masturbation, Pornography, and fornication to name some are normalized. Young people who engage in sex are aware of the possible repercussions that’s why they go after contraceptives. Although there are mixed stances on using condoms within the Catholic community, the Church firmly believes that it is wrong. By practicing chastity, one could totally avoid using it.
The Catholic Church is a proponent of life. Thus, contraception or birth control which prevents a life is prohibited and considered a sin. As Catholics, we should always value and protect life no matter what.
That we may defend the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death, Loving Mother, pray for us.