The core statement of the marriage covenant or the covenant theology of human sexuality is simply this: Sexual intercourse is intended by God to be at least implicitly a renewal of the marriage covenant.
“At least implicitly” is important. The husband and wife do not have to intend explicitly that their marriage act should be a renewal of their marriage covenant. It means that the spouses, individually or together, do not act against the self-giving love they promised at marriage.
Significantly, the marriage covenant provides the criterion for evaluating the morality of every sexual act.
For more on the marriage covenant, read Sex and the Marriage Covenant: A Basis for Morality.
For a rebirth of chastity, for a stop to contraception and abortion, and for a culture of life, let us pray.
Sheila Kippley
Natural Family Planning: The Complete Approach, 2009
Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood, 2005
The Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding: The Frequency Factor, 2008
Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing, 1974 classic edition, 2008