In Podcasts, The Inner Life

Chastity and Abstinence – The Inner Life – November 12, 2024

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Father Allen Hoffa joins Patrick to discuss Chastity and Abstinence

  • (4:29) What is chastity?
  • Where did sacrifice go in our culture today?
  • (10:29) What is Abstinence?
  • (14:07) Teresa – I’ve been at it for 32 years (abstinence). I’ve had a lot of temptations.  Look to St. Francis de Sales.  We avoid temptations.  When I date, I set up my boundaries. I’m widowed 40 years.  Broke it once and never want to go back to it again.

(19:05) Break 1

  • How can Scripture be a weapon against impurity?
  • (21:49) Tim – I read years ago that over the centuries it’s gone back and forth between celibacy and priests being married.  Wasn’t sure if that was true.
  • Why is Chastity and Abstinence so important for the Catholic Faith?
  • (28:36) Rose – Married 34 years. I decided to stop intimate relations with husband and turn myself to the Lord. He’s been going through pornography.  I’ve talked to my priest about it. My priest says I should separate from my husband.  He says I should pray for him more.

(36:59) Break 2

  • What should we do if we fall?
  • (42:26) Marie – Senior marriage and senior dating.  I’m 70 and boyfriend is same age.  We’ve been in previous marriages.  Dating beyond the years of childbearing, are the rules different for us?  Are we allowed to do passionate kissing knowing there is a boundary?
  • Alice – I’ve been married 24 years.  Husband and I started having oral sex.  I hated it.  I’ve lost complete interest in him and he repulses me now.  Not sure if it’s because of age or what.  I don’t know where to go from here.

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Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley was born, raised, and baptized in Wisconsin in a Protestant tradition. After meeting his wife, Kendra, through an Evangelical ministry at the University of Minnesota, they entered the Catholic Church in 2010. They listened to Relevant Radio, specifically The Inner Life, while preparing to enter the Church. Conley now holds a degree in theology from Oxford University and has served the Church in both academic theology and grassroots pastoral ministry. Conley teaches religion classes in a Catholic elementary school, serves as his parish Director of Religious Education, and is in formation for the permanent diaconate. He also hosts Practicing Catholic on Relevant Radio, exclusive to the Minneapolis area’s airwaves, and is a traveling presenter for the Catherine of Siena Institute apostolate. He lives in rural Wisconsin with his wife and their bulldogs, Georgie and Bingley.