Masturbation
Is masturbation always - and without exception - a mortal sin? Or does it depend on the circumstances in which the act is performed.
PS - I did receive Communion yesterday and was at peace doing so - I did not feel I was making a sacreligious Communion. In fact, my flu symptoms started to disappear as soon as I received Jesus! However, I will hopefully be seeing a priest tomorrow who can hear my confession.
QUESTION from Beloved on June 7, 2004
If a guy, for example, is told by his doctor to go and have a sperm-count, obviously this would involve masturbation. However, surely in this case it would not be considered a mortal sin.
I will be absolutely honest - I do have a problem in this area. I am a committed Catholic and love the Lord dearly. I go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a month and have confessed this sin, and since I've done this the episodes of masturbation are becoming less and less (praise God). However, I do still fall in this area, and when I do I go back to Reconciliation again. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt the Lord always forgives me - always! And when I do confess this in Reconciliation, I honestly and sincerely endeavour not to do it again.
During the past few days I've come down with a dose of the flu - I was very ill just two days ago and there was no way I could sleep through the night because of my incessant coughing. I started to masturbate - this relieved my tension and I relaxed (and was able to fall asleep). I masturbated yesterday and again today - this does seem to help me relax and relieve the symptoms. It's therapeutic. And yet I know masturbation is a sin of impurity and the Church regards it as a mortal sin. Please understand I don't masturbate just for fun (and in defiance of the Church). My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and so I want to honour and glorify Him in my body - my body (as well as my spirit and soul) are His!
Now I can't go to Mass tomorrow because I'm still not well - however, one of the eucharistic ministers has said he will come and give me Communion. I love receiving Communion so much. However, I fear that if I do so tomorrow I might be receiving unworthily. I've already confessed my sin to God and I know He has forgiven me. If I had the oportunity to see a priest before tomorrow I would do so and make my confession sacramental.
Due to the details I've described above, what is my situation? I don't suppose you can reply before tomorrow (Sunday) but if you can that would be wonderful. I do hope I haven't committed a mortal sin (I couldn't bear it). Please help me.
God bless you -
The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved
ANSWER by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM on June 8, 2004
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Dear Beloved: That is an interesting first name. I do not think I have met anyone with a first name of "Beloved". I did know a girl named "Love" though. Masturbation is an objectively sin. I am not sure why you ask about medical issues since that does not pertain to your situation, but anyway, there is no necessary medical procedure for which I am aware that requires masturbation. To my knowledge the only reason to have a sperm count is in the case of fertility therapy. Most fertility therapy are morally unacceptable and thus there is no reason to discover a sperm count. In any event, masturbation is grave matter. You cannot receive communion until you go to the Sacrament of Confession. If you received the Eucharist after having masturbated but not yet confessed in the Sacrament of Confession then you HAVE committed a sacrilege against the Eucharist no matter how "at peace" you feel. You now need to not only confess the masturbation but also confess receiving the Eucharist unworthily. There are many people who have this problem. Your attitude about going to confession time after time is proper. As you have already experienced the Sacrament of Confession has helped you to decrease the practice of this sin. Keep up the frequent Confession. This will help you to heal. Also, it may be wise to go to a doctor to ask for medication like Zoloft. This drug helps to decrease those sexual urges and does wonders in helping many people to overcome this addiction. God loves you and understands your situation. Keep up the faith, keep trying to avoid the near occasion of sin, keep trying to avoid the sin, go to confession as often as needed, get medication perhaps, and live the good Catholic life as best you can. One other note: These sexual temptations usually come in small windows of opportunities. If you distract yourself for just a few minutes when you feel the urge, you may be able to avoid sin. For example, when feeling the urge, get up and wash the dishes, watch the Evening News, clean the house, whatever will distract you. Once you have finished this task the temptation will likely have left you.
God Bless, |