In Vetro Fertilization and Masturbation

A recent article in the National Catholic Register tried to re-ignite the long standing problem the Roman Catholic Church has with In Vetro Fertilization (IVF).  According to Church teachings put forward in 1987  by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued Donum Vitae (Instruction on Respect for Human Life), the Church officially forbade the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF), stating: “The child has the right to be conceived, carried in the womb, brought into the world and brought up within marriage. The good of society requires that children come into the world within a family and that the family be based on marriage, the only setting worthy of truly responsible procreation.”

What these two Church documents   fail to mention is exactly how the Church actually arrived at their conclusion.   The primary problem the Roman Catholic Church has with In Vetro  Fertilization  is that out of necessity it must begin with masturbation.  (How else can semen be extracted?)   But according to St. Augustine 'every genital act must be within the framework of marriage' and that 'masturbation is an intrinsically and seriously disordered act' because 'the deliberate use of the sexual faculty outside moral conjugal relations essentially contradicts the finality of the faculty'.  (How could St. Augustine possibly understand modern medical techniques today in light of his own tortured views on human sexuality?)  Geoffrey Robertson in his book ‘The Case of the Pope – Vatican Accountability for Human Rights Abuse (2012) adds “The sexual ignorance of the church's magisterium deep­ened when Karol Wojtyla became Pope John Paul II in 1979; he had helped to compose Humanae Vitae and Persona Humana and took such a hard line on sexuality that his follow-up encyclical, The Splendour of Truth (1988), put contraception alongside geno­cide as amongst the acts that are 'intrinsically evil'. He forbade further discussion of contraception and instructed his nuncios to spy on up-and-coming clerics and to recommend for promotion to bishop only those who unquestioningly supported the pro­hibition. This led to appointments of men who in many cases lacked street wisdom and insight into human sexual behaviour, and who were to prove astonishingly naive in accepting the excuses of paedophile priests and in believing that they might be cured by prayer and penitence or by counseling.”

Article 2377 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992) supporting the 1987 ruling from Donum Vitae states “Techniques involving only the married couple (homologous artificial insemination and fertilization) are perhaps less reprehensible, yet remain morally unacceptable. They dissociate the sexual act from the procreative act.”  Note however no mention is made of the Church’s key argument, carefully tucked away, behind this issue i.e., the supposed sin of masturbation!  Clinical experts, including many Catholics have long ago disposed of this demonized subject.  While the Church remains in the dark ages on human sexuality In Vetro Fertilization has been a blessing for many God fearing and Roman Catholic infertile couples, who would otherwise have remained childless.  Science is not in competition with religion but proclaims the glory of God especially in the world of medicine.  For God  it is not the method (IVF) but the intent (the heart behind our actions and thoughts).

the culture that allows sex abuse to happen

There have been numerous occasions throughout this blog that I have spoken out about the Catholic Church’s struggle with the ongoing sexual abuse crisis, as well as its growing militant attitude on abortions and other areas of human sexuality such as homosexuality, celibacy, condoms masturbation, same-sex marriage, partcularly when they are expressed in absolute terms.

Why does a religion remain so fearful about a gift from God when those sexual abuse issues are clearly threatening to destroy the very fabric of the institution?  THE TRUTH NEEDS TO BE TOLD. When will the hierarchy finally accept its duplicity in creating a culture that allowed the sexual abuse to bring so much pain and suffering in the world? THE TRUTH NEEDS TO BE TOLD. Why does the church still remain in denial? THE TRUTH NEEDS TO BE TOLD.  Considering the recent advances to help us break through a better understanding of human behaviour why does our Church still rely on theological definitions established by St. Augustine in the fourth century A.D.- especially in light of his own struggle with sexuality.  The Church continues to uphold its traditions as unchangeable and from an exclusive patriarchal point of view.  God, on the other hand moves with us through time, even though his unconditional love for humankind remains unchanged. God meets us where we are – not where others would have us be. Does the Church truly believe that God does not play a role in the discoveries in science and human understanding?  Surely, the revelations made known by individuals such as Galileo made this all too painfully clear? THE TRUTH NEEDS TO BE TOLD.

Most religions today, particularly those with a fundamentalist background, appear unable or unwilling to accept change and will quickly condemn anyone with different views. Christians do well to recall the price Jesus paid for attempting to introduce change in his community.

There are a few people who have the strength and courage to challenge our beliefs and understandings.  This week one such person spoke up at a gathering on April 4 at Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee - his name is Archbishop  Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, Ireland.  Here follows his complete address as it appears on the Archdiocese of Dublin website.  A condensed version is also  available on the National Catholic Reporters website of April 5th.      For full video of Martin's talk, visit the page on the Marquette University Web site.  The two day conference took place under the banner 'Restorative Justice Initiative' includes many speakers, including several victims of sexual abuse as well as Archbishop Martin.  

Having read and watched significant portions of this debate I am encouraged by the positive approach to this crisis which continues to impact our society at large. THE TRUTH NEEDS TO BE TOLD.