Catholic Living Church’s teaching on masturbation Shutterstock Question: I am experiencing a conflict with a friend. She believes that masturbation is a grave sin. I assert that it is not. Who is correct? — Name, location withheld Answer: When we refer to a sin as being mortal or venial, we do so in an objective…
Question: I find myself perplexed by the different applications of the terms continence, chastity, and celibacy. Are they identical concepts?
— Name withheld, via email
Answer: The terms are connected yet possess unique definitions. Continence, in a broader context, essentially signifies “self-discipline,” particularly concerning the physical self. It originates from the Latin continentia, which signifies “a restraining.” Nevertheless, throughout the years, the term “continence” has also acquired a more specific connotation of sexual self-control or total avoidance of sexual activity. In this context, it resembles a lifestyle of celibacy.
The broader interpretation of celibacy pertains to individuals who consistently abstain from sexual intercourse. In this context, any individual who is not married should practice living “celibately.” Nevertheless, a person may eventually enter into marriage, at which point the celibacy would come to an end. More specifically, within the Church, “celibacy” denotes a vowed, lifelong commitment to abstaining from sexual relations that is taken on by religious figures and priests. In this scenario, the celibate lifestyle is continuous and is anticipated to be upheld for a lifetime.
