Must he reverse the vasectomy?, Consummation of Mary’s marriage, and Loving a friend with SSA without compromise | ACW373

·55 min·5 clips

Christopher West calls foul on doctors discouraging vasectomy reversal, linking it to an anti-fertility mentality.

The episode begins with Christopher West promoting the Truthly app for Catholic questions and discussing the movie 'Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret' as a secular portrayal of puberty and faith. He and Wendy then share updates on Theology of the Body Institute events, including ski retreats and summer courses. The first listener question, from Father Daniel, concerns a man in his 50s who had a vasectomy and is now discerning marriage; West clarifies that a reversal of will is essential for a valid marriage, though physical reversal is encouraged but not always possible, and he criticizes doctors who discourage it. The second question, from Lynn, asks about Mary's perpetual virginity and Joseph's marriage; West corrects terminology about marriage validity and consummation, explaining that Mary and Joseph's celibate marriage represents a paradox where virginity fulfills sexuality by participating in the eternal marriage of Christ and the church. He predicts future Church theology will emphasize Joseph's complementary virginity. The third question, from Grace, involves a roommate with same-sex attraction; West advises loving without compromising beliefs, using analogies of poison feeling good when thirsty and train tracks for gender identification and complementarity, emphasizing prayer and relationship with Jesus and Mary. Wendy adds practical advice on expressing grief and avoiding arguments. The episode concludes with a prayer and reminder about counseling resources.

As heard by us

A pastoral Q&A that gives Catholics a clear starting point for thinking through marriage and sexuality.

This Ask Christopher West episode sits at the intersection of Catholic doctrine and intimate discernment, using questions about Mary's perpetual virginity and marriage to clarify a point that often gets blurred.

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Why you'd press play

You want a Catholic answer to a marriage question that can hold canon-law precision and ordinary human confusion at the same time.

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