The Church teaches the practice of chastity. It interprets this to mean that believers should eschew fornication,[67] and that no persons inside or outside of marriage may practice masturbation, sodomy and homosexual practices (The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches "They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided" and that "Homosexual persons are called to chastity"),[68] artificial contraception,[69] coitus interruptus,[70][71] sterilization, and the procurement of or assisting in an abortion.[72]