For whatever
reason, Catholics tend to have varying opinions regarding the topic
of human reproduction. The Church, however, evaluates input from
theologians, doctors, biologists, bioethics experts, psychologists,
and other medical professionals (many of them ordained religious),
and has the Christ guaranteed guidance of the Holy Spirit regarding
all faith and morals, to inform and direct us on this subject.
It’s unfortunate
that some Catholics are not familiar with or choose to ignore
paragraphs 2375-2379 of the Catechism, which specifically address
several unacceptable methods of reproduction. These teachings
emphasize the immorality of in-vitro fertilization and artificial
insemination from either a secondary donor or a spouse, as well as
surrogate parenting. The methods are wrong because they
“infringe the child’s right to be born of a father and mother
known to him and bound to each other in marriage” and/or
“dissociate the sexual act from the procreative act” (2376,
2377). Using these methods of technology “entrusts the life and
identity of the embryo into the power of doctors and the biologists
and establishes the domination of technology over the origin and
destiny of the human person”. As par 2378 indicates: “A
child is not something owed to one, but is a
gift…A child may not be considered a piece of
property, an idea to which an alleged ‘right to a child’ would
lead.”
God’s moral law must always take precedence over medical
developments and achievements.
As with other
wrongful actions, Catholics who have relied on any of these methods
of reproduction need to seek forgiveness through the sacrament of
Reconciliation. The same is expected of those who have participated
in, financed, or encouraged it for their friends or relatives. As
Catholics, we are called to follow all of the teachings of the
Church as well as be able to provide the proper response whenever
this type of situation is encountered. A conscience formed through
faith and trust in God and His Church is a solid beginning.
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