Christmas Cards in July | ACW129

If a married couple is able to have children of their own, is it morally wrong to adopt children instead? Is having had a hysterectomy an imprediment to marriage? Why is Natural Family Planning permitted by the Catholic Church but contraceptive birth control is not?

Ask Christopher West is a weekly podcast in which Theology of the Body Institute President Christopher West and his beloved wife Wendy share their humor and wisdom, answering questions about marriage, relationships, life, and the Catholic faith, all in light of John Paul II’s beautiful teachings on the Theology of the Body.

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Patron Question:
If a married couple is able to have children of their own, is it morally wrong to choose to adopt children instead?

Question 2:
Hi Christopher and Wendy,
Years ago, I attended a Theology of the Body conference, and have recently discovered your podcast and love listening to you both! During your May 3rd podcast, in response to a sensitive question, you responded, in part, that, “The man’s seed only belongs in the garden.” This is where my sensitive question comes in. What if the woman no longer has her “garden?” Would it be an impediment to marriage if the wife no longer has her garden where her husband can plant his seed?

Qestion 3:
I am considering Catholicism from a Lutheran background but there is an issue that I have not been able to come to terms with as a young married mother of 3 children who are 3 and under. Why is Natural Family Planning allowed and not contraceptive birth control that does not abort? What is the difference other than a technicality? Both are being used to prevent life at that time; both are (somewhat) effective. It would be easier for me to swallow that there should be no family planning than, “NFP is fine but birth control is not.” Also, why in Theology of the Body do I keep hearing that sex is never separated from procreation? By nature, much of a woman’s cycle makes her not capable of procreating. Should we then only have sex during the fertile time? Help!

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Christopher and Wendy hope their advice is helpful to you, but they are not licensed counseling professionals. If you are dealing with serious issues, please consult our list of trusted professionals.

Featuring music by Mike Mangione.