Asexuality?

[eatsfish]

Yes, but that's not what he said. He implied a more...fundamental lack.

Of course self-labeling is a big part of this. I mean...to find out what he really means by asexuality...well, we'd have to get pretty graphic and personal.

True, and even I don't think this is something I can personally experiment with to fully understand. Even I have questions with the label itself.

Good Heavens. I went to that link where people are discussing whether or not asexuality is "okay" for Catholics, and I am appalled. That discussion is pure speculation and sounds very conservative Protestant. They're the ones who place a great deal of emphasis on having "right" feelings and some of them (the strict Reformed ones, I think) really do believe that remaining single is a sin. Those who don't think this still don't understand or have a place for celibacy and tend to place a lot of pressure on people to get married.

I know! That's why I'm all for finding sensible traditional Catholic answers. As for getting married, I guess I would have to discern my vocation first before I even dig into this too deeply. I certainly don't want any future marriages invalidated by lack of consummation.

[frerejacques]

Being asexual isn't all that uncommon. They're usually called wives.
[Sorry, couldn't resist the joke!]

Avus, that's not asexual.  That's tired, ill, hormonal, postpartum, worried about money, or just plain hurt feelings.    

[Catholic777]

I certainly don't want any future marriages invalidated by lack of consummation.

Such marriages are not invalid, though they are not the fullness of the indissoluble sacrament, and so can be dissolved by the Pope. But it's a process more complicated (and rarer) than a simple annulment. But marriages ratified but not consummated are not, strictly speaking, invalid, and there are still graces attached to them.

[eatsfish]

I certainly don't want any future marriages invalidated by lack of consummation.

Such marriages are not invalid, though they are not the fullness of the indissoluble sacrament, and so can be dissolved by the Pope. But it's a process more complicated (and rarer) than a simple annulment. But marriages ratified but not consummated are not, strictly speaking, invalid, and there are still graces attached to them.

 My mistake; thanks for the clarification.

[Archbishop_10K]

Consider yourself fortunate: I wish I could be "asexual". Then I'd be able to actually think clearly for once, LOL.

However, from an objective point of view, asexuality is unnatural. People are supposed to have attractions to the opposite sex. The main difference between that and homosexuality in regard to sin is that you're less likely to commit sins with the former and more likely to commit sins with the latter. But merely being either of those is not sinful in itself, since you can't just tell yourself to change your orientations.

If I were to guess, the main thing you need to look out for when it comes to asexuality is that first, you shouldn't join the clergy solely because celibacy is a piece of cake; because celibacy isn't one of the essential factors of being a cleric; service and sacrifice are. And second, if you get married, you still have to think about how you're going to fulfill your wife's sexual needs/desires/whatever. The only way to avoid that is taking up what's called a "Josephite marriage", although to be honest, that idea never really made sense to me (excepting the marriage of Joseph and Mary, of course).

[eatsfish]

Lol, Archbishop. Thanks for the reply, I think that's what I needed (wanted?) to hear. And I feel the same way about joining the clergy just because I can "cheat" (well, so to speak) celibacy. To be honest I'm not even as good in service and sacrifice as I'd like to be. Although of course the choice is always open for me.

[McMaster]

I'm a male who simply doesn't feel any sexual attraction towards either sex. [...] Should I view this as a good thing, and what am I to do about it?

Um ... ask God to let you know your vocation. St. Thomas Aquinas, it's said, was freed from all sexual temptations by an angelic visitation under quite remarkable circumstances. If your vocation is to a celibate life, you certainly shouldn't complain if God does the same for you in a less spectacular way. If not, you certainly shouldn't complain if you're able to wait until you fall in love with the right woman before you feel any distinct inclination toward concubitus matrimonialis; that's how it should be, although regrettably it isn't for many people. If you fall in love with the right woman and still there's no sign that nature will take its accustomed course ... well, there'll be time to worry about that then, not now.

Blessings,

Don McMaster