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Can Catholic Spouses Have Sex Without Ejaculation? Amplexus Reservatus and the Limits of Marital Intimacy
Can Catholic spouses engage in penetration without ejaculation, or deliberately seek a second orgasm outside the conjugal act? This article answers two reader questions by applying traditional Catholic moral theology to male orgasm outside intercourse and to amplexus reservatus, or incomplete intercourse without ejaculation.
What a Renowned Catholic Moral Theologian Taught About Amplexus Reservatus, or Incomplete, Non-Orgasmic Sexual Intercourse
As part of our ongoing release of excerpts from renowned Catholic moral theologians, we turn here to Fr. John J. Lynch, S.J., and his treatment of the morality of amplexus reservatus (or, incomplete sexual intercourse where orgasm is deliberately withheld from both parties) within marriage. Drawing on traditional principles governing incomplete conjugal acts, Lynch explains why many respected theologians regarded the practice as morally licit under certain conditions. The full compendium of these classical moral theology texts is available to our Patreon members.
Can Catholic Spouses Practice “Karezza” Method of Sexual Intercourse?
Is amplexus reservatus (the “karezza method”) moral for Catholic couples? This article explores Catholic theology, magisterial teaching, and moralist debates on whether deliberately stopping short of orgasm in the marital act is a sin or permissible form of intimacy.