Is Refusing to Marry the Same as Contraception?

The Compendium of the Catechism:

347. What sins are gravely opposed to the sacrament of Matrimony?

Adultery and polygamy are opposed to the sacrament of matrimony because they contradict the equal dignity of man and woman and the unity and exclusivity of married love. Other sins include the deliberate refusal of one’s procreative potential which deprives conjugal love of the gift of children and divorce which goes against the indissolubility of marriage.

For starters, we need to recognize that the Compendium is essentially a commentary and not a teaching document. Therefore, the language used is a little bit “looser” in its attempt to explain the various teachings.

The use of the expression “deliberate refusal” is being used as a summary explanation of the difference between someone choosing contraception and someone who happens to experience infertility.

The Catechism sections being dealt with here are 1645-1648, and those are under the heading “The Goods and Requirements of Conjugal Love.” Therefore, it is addressing actions within marriage, which would not include someone who never gets married.

No one is expected or forced to be married. In fact, a forced marriage is an invalid marriage. Marriage is a choice that the two spouses enter into freely and without reservation. However, like all choices, the choice to enter into marriage comes with certain expectations and responsibilities.

Choosing to marry or not to marry are both perfectly moral choices.