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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
***** Just Holding WARNING!! This question and answer is of a mature nature. Parental discretion is advised.	Thomas	Saturday, October 9, 2004
Question: My wife and I are both in our 50's, and as often true in late middle-age, our frequency of genital intimacy has diminished somewhat. However, we enjoy "just cuddling" - holding each other close in bed. I have 2 questions concerning this: First, is it sinful for us to "just cuddle" when we don't intend to engage in intimacy? Second, is it sinful for me to touch my wife's body unclothed, such as cuddling together, when we don't intend to have genital intimacy? My understanding is that spouses being unclothed together and touching is legitimate only when intercourse is intended. Thank you.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM+ Dear Thomas: Cuddling is a perfectly acceptable activity. Even non-married couples can "cuddle" (clothed and without "petting"). Married couples, however, can do more than cuddle, but may also, as I understand it, carass each other (clothed or unclothed), even when intercourse is not intended, AS LONG AS such carassing does not result in the man ejaculating outside of vaginal intercourse. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

*****
Just Holding
WARNING!! This question and answer is of a mature nature. Parental discretion is advised.

Thomas

Saturday, October 9, 2004

Question:

My wife and I are both in our 50's, and as often true in late middle-age, our frequency of genital intimacy has diminished somewhat. However, we enjoy "just cuddling" - holding each other close in bed.

I have 2 questions concerning this: First, is it sinful for us to "just cuddle" when we don't intend to engage in intimacy?

Second, is it sinful for me to touch my wife's body unclothed, such as cuddling together, when we don't intend to have genital intimacy?

My understanding is that spouses being unclothed together and touching is legitimate only when intercourse is intended. Thank you.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM+

Dear Thomas:

Cuddling is a perfectly acceptable activity. Even non-married couples can "cuddle" (clothed and without "petting").

Married couples, however, can do more than cuddle, but may also, as I understand it, carass each other (clothed or unclothed), even when intercourse is not intended, AS LONG AS such carassing does not result in the man ejaculating outside of vaginal intercourse.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum