A BABY AT ANY COST?
Question:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I am seeking your wisdom and insight into the use of medications to conceive a new life within a Catholic marriage. I have been offering counsel regarding the use of contraception to my younger brother and sister-in-law with regards the church’s teaching and several moral theologians, however, they are now wishing to conceive and have been unable for the last year and a half. During that time I have prayerfully offered them the Pope Paul VI Institute as a resource and discussed the grave nature of choosing to use fertility drugs and in vitro fertilization to conceive. My parents and older brother/sister-in-law believe that in vitro fertilization is sinful as it is ‘unnatural’ and contrary to God’s design, however, my entire immediate family does not accept the limited information that I offer explaining that fertility drugs are also contrary to God’s design of the woman’s cycle and ‘unnatural’ in how they cause conception to occur. I fear for the eternal consequences of my younger brother/sister-in-law’s decision, and also for the support that my parents and older brother/sister-in-law are giving with their acceptance of fertility drug use. I have even referred them to our diocesan bishop as he is always helpful in answering difficult moral and theological questions, however, he has not yet responded. In asking various priests, there are several varying responses which are given; some condone the medications in this circumstance, and others do not.
Can you please provide me with more information and resources to solidly portray the Truth to my family such that they may come to the understanding of what the church teaches and believes with respect to fertility medications?
Thank you so much for your help in saving the souls of my family!
Peace in Him,
Darren
Answer Here
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I am seeking your wisdom and insight into the use of medications to conceive a new life within a Catholic marriage. I have been offering counsel regarding the use of contraception to my younger brother and sister-in-law with regards the church’s teaching and several moral theologians, however, they are now wishing to conceive and have been unable for the last year and a half. During that time I have prayerfully offered them the Pope Paul VI Institute as a resource and discussed the grave nature of choosing to use fertility drugs and in vitro fertilization to conceive. My parents and older brother/sister-in-law believe that in vitro fertilization is sinful as it is ‘unnatural’ and contrary to God’s design, however, my entire immediate family does not accept the limited information that I offer explaining that fertility drugs are also contrary to God’s design of the woman’s cycle and ‘unnatural’ in how they cause conception to occur. I fear for the eternal consequences of my younger brother/sister-in-law’s decision, and also for the support that my parents and older brother/sister-in-law are giving with their acceptance of fertility drug use. I have even referred them to our diocesan bishop as he is always helpful in answering difficult moral and theological questions, however, he has not yet responded. In asking various priests, there are several varying responses which are given; some condone the medications in this circumstance, and others do not.
Can you please provide me with more information and resources to solidly portray the Truth to my family such that they may come to the understanding of what the church teaches and believes with respect to fertility medications?
Thank you so much for your help in saving the souls of my family!
Peace in Him,
Darren
Answer Here
A timely topic. I often try to get the Church's viewpoint on IVF a mention in discussions, but am brushed aside. All you can do, after offering the truth, is pray for them.
ReplyDeleteI agree. This is certainly not a topic that is mentioned at the pulpit and many Catholics I know aren't aware that it is even a matter of faith.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in adult education, I tried to present as much information as I could to the parish about pro-life and pro-family issues, using expert speakers to talk on these topics, but they were poorly attended.
Education is important, but some people don't want to know the truth so they won't have to change their ways. That is when we look to the power of prayer for healing and conversion.
God bless you, Leticia!
We need to pray for the "enlightenment" of our brothers and sister in the faith.
ReplyDeleteThat is what I was trying to say in the last post.
Yes, enlightenment for those who live in the darkness.
ReplyDeleteMay God fill them with the light of His truth!