Catholics: Will the Catholic Church ever accept same-sex marriage? Or artificial birth control?

Unfortunately, the physical basis of Catholic theology is a concept borrowed from the Romans known as "Natural Law". According to that, everything has a natural function or destiny that it is evil to disrupt. Sex naturally tends to produce babies. Gay sex and abortion prevent babies. Ripping "Natural Law" out would leave a huge logical hole in the whole structure and make theological revision a doubtful proposition. They'd essentially have to redo their view of life, salvation, everything.

If you see the Church allowing condom use (for disease control or whatever), there might be a chance for the rest. But don't hold your breath.

What St. Augustine gave was his opinion. What he said about experiencing pleasure during sex being a sin has never been a teaching of the Church.

IT STILL IS considered sinful to have sex if you did not intend it to be procreative. This is the basis behind the prohibition of artificial contraception.

A commission of bishops and theologians may have recommended a change in the policy on artificial contraception, but they are not the Pope. The Pope, in communion with the college of cardinals and bishops, declares doctrine.

It is more likely that water will Satan will ice skate than the church change it's position on artificial birth control or same sex marriage

It has not changed it's views on sexual morality. The official view of the Church is what your looking for and not what so and so says---or advises. ---No gay marriage will never happen within the Roman Catholic Church and also Birth Control other than natural family planning will never be practiced in the Roman Catholic Church. Notice I said Roman Catholic.

Yeah, I'll remember you when I get to Heaven

You know how I know infallibly that you are NOT a Catholic ? You think that what St Augustine said is what the Church says.

He is only SAINT Augustine because the Church said so.

Secondly, this is an absurdity that anybody can see : "Thus it was sinful to have sex with your wife while she was pregnant or when it was known she could not conceive" I'v been to a bunch of weddings where the bride was so old she had less chance than Sarah of conceiving !! It is better that I think you are dense than a liar, so I will.

The Pope didn't "allow" anything. That method (Billings) wasn't always around you know. Allow, get outta town.

I wish I could pinch your ear on this one : "In 1966, a commission...He disregarded their opinion" Do you have any idea why they reported to him and he didn't report to them. Take a wild guess. Because's he's Pope. He is the Jesus-given guardian of faith and morals. He's the Pope.

You've proven one thing, You're not a Catholic. Frankly until you get some intelligence and get off your lazy butt, don't be a Catholic !!!

You don't deserve an answer and I hope no one gives you one.

The CC will do whatever it must in order to survive. I am a Catholic but do not see the CC as the most noble or moral of institutions. Their have been men of the church who have helped Kings decide who to war with and plunder their gold.

Priest have molested children and had sex.

Now lets remember these are men just like you and me so sinning is their nature so how can one look at their actions and decisions on issues and then say God would not do that. You can not hold their actions and decisions to the level of God. God is perfect men are not.

No. Opinions of members of the Church and even highly regarded members of the Church...are still just that...opinions. Church teaching has never been about opinion but about God's commandments and will for us.

The Church cannot and never has changed the law of God. His requirements for us, which are found throughout the scriptures and passed down through sacred tradition...have never changed. The Church would have no inclination and no authority to ever change it.

I noticed your question on the "same sex" angle.

I am gay and live in the most tolerant country on the planet...the UK... and just wanted to say that fortunately religion is of no importance here because we will NOT allow religious zealots to torture (physically or mentally) ANY citizen whatever their colour, creed, or in my case, sexuality....we live in then present and plan for the future and allow everyone to be who they want to be... not in the past. Its a shame that other countries (the US springs to mind) are not as tolerant.

I wonder how many thumbs down I will get...for just being myself...there are so many people (right wing Americans again spring to mind) who would want to hang me or even worse, forgive me...I may not lead a perfect live, but my partner and I have been in a monogamous relationship for 16 years and I love him as much as life itself and I am proud, as a Brit, to be able to say this knowing my country(which I also love) supports me...religions hate me...why?

6 or 7 hundred years ago, the Roman Catholic Church did allow same-sex marriage, although they won't admit it now. But the evidence exists.

>>In the time of St Augustin, he wrote that to the extent that one enjoys the sexual act to that extent one commits at least venial sin.<<

Since when does everything Augustine wrote constitute Church teaching? You know better than that.

>>Until very recently -- last century -- it was ALWAYS considered sinful to have sex IF you did not intend it to be procreative. Thus it was sinful to have sex with your wife while she was pregnant or when it was known she could not conceive.<<

Obviously untrue, or the Church would not have allowed women past menopause to marry.

>>Will the Church EVER allow birth control?<<

The Church does allow birth control – NFP. The Symptothermal method of birth control is just as effective as the Pill.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6375261.stm

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSCOL2...

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/07022...

http://www.eshre.com/emc.asp?pageId=892#natural

>>Or same-sex marriage?<<

Never.

>>the pope, in 1866, stated that the Institution of SLAVERY was neither against the Divine Law nor the Natural Law.<<

Because people have a right to sell their labor! Most of us would starve to death if we couldn’t sell our labor.

“Servitude itself, considered in itself and absolutely, is by no means repugnant to the natural and divine law, and there can be present very many just titles for servitude, as can be seen by consulting the approved theologians and interpreters of the canons. For the dominion which belongs to a master in respect to a slave is not to be understood as any other than the perpetual right of disposing, to one’s own advantage, of servile work, which dominion it is legitimate for a person to offer to another person.” (Instruction of the Holy Office, no. 1293, June 20, 1866)

>>I studied under Father Curran at Catholic University in Washington DC.<<

That figures.

short answer - NO

longer answer - why should the Church seek your approval when they have the authority of God and His Christ? You are free to live in any way you choose, as long as you ALSO choose to be outside the Church. Once you decide that you want to be a part of the Church, you must accept its tenets -- it should not bow to your wants and passions; you should instead conform to the image of Christ. Otherwise, what's the point, unless it is to corrupt what is good with what is evil?