I applied for a job at CVS, can I take it?

[EphelDuath]

CVS is a pharmacy and grocery store if you didn’t know.

I’m afraid if I try to be the pharmacy technician, I’ll be forced to sell abortifacients. (Come to think of it, is it lawful for a Catholic to sell any type of birth control…?) So should I not risk it and look for another job, or is it okay if I work as a cashier or some other position that wouldn’t require me to transact with Plan B or anything of the like?

 

[heart4home]

CVS is a pharmacy and grocery store if you didn’t know.

I’m afraid if I try to be the pharmacy technician, I’ll be forced to sell abortifacients. (Come to think of it, is it lawful for a Catholic to sell any type of birth control…?) So should I not risk it and look for another job, or is it okay if I work as a cashier or some other position that wouldn’t require me to transact with Plan B or anything of the like?

Wow, never really thought of that. Think of all the pharmacists in the world? Many must be Catholic and I can’t imagine them being able to refuse filling a prescription for the pill.

I’m sure as a cashier, you’d be fine. I mean somebody could buy a box of condoms, or you may be asked to ring up a prescription for the pill, but that could happen at Target, or a grocery store especially if you were asked to cover the pharmacy area.

What an interesting question. My first instinct would be to say it is fine since you aren’t really in control of the prescriptions, just ringing up a sale…but I’ll be interested to hear what others more knowledgable will have to say.

 

[Rence]

CVS is a pharmacy and grocery store if you didn’t know.

I’m afraid if I try to be the pharmacy technician, I’ll be forced to sell abortifacients. (Come to think of it, is it lawful for a Catholic to sell any type of birth control…?) So should I not risk it and look for another job, or is it okay if I work as a cashier or some other position that wouldn’t require me to transact with Plan B or anything of the like?

You should ask the person with whom you interview about their policies to accomodate your religious objections to selling it. They may be able to accomodate you. But don’t be surprised if they don’t hire you. When interviewers interview applicants, they are trying to find someone who can actually fulfill their duties and perform their duties as expected. It’s kind of silly to apply for a job and then say you won’t do the job. But there may be enough staff onhand to take over for you and do it for you.

 

[AthenaC]

It’s good that you’re thinking of these things. Now, although the vast majority of people use condoms and birth control and Plan B for … less than morally optimal purposes, it’s worth considering that -

1. Condoms - can be used to prevent pain (male-side) during intercourse. You can poke a hole in them to eliminate the contraceptive effect.
2. Birth control - can be prescribed for legitimate medical reason. Birth control pills are essentially hormone therapy that happen to have a contraceptive effect.
3. Plan B - this is where it gets really ambiguous. Plan B DOES shut down ovulation so CAN prevent conception. I have heard a rather compelling argument for plan B in the case of rape because of this fact.

Such determinations are not rightfully made by you, as the pharmacist / cashier.

 

[Gods_Peace]

CVS is a pharmacy and grocery store if you didn’t know.

I’m afraid if I try to be the pharmacy technician, I’ll be forced to sell abortifacients. (Come to think of it, is it lawful for a Catholic to sell any type of birth control…?) So should I not risk it and look for another job, or is it okay if I work as a cashier or some other position that wouldn’t require me to transact with Plan B or anything of the like?

If your conscience says no, then I would say no.

 

[SusansChoice]

I work for the Dept of Social Services and for many years processed Medi-Cal (Calif’s version of Medicaid) for a special program called Minor Consent. Minor Consent allows minors to get specific types of medical services without parental knowledge or support. These services include treatment for venereal disease, mental health, birth control, substance abuse, and pregnancy. They have to state the service they are applying for. When processing pregnancy related services they most often were for abortions. I would not ask, but they often would voluteer the information. We would see some of the same kids over and over. It was a condition of employment.

I (along with many other co-workers) found it so appalling that even typing this sickens me.
I returned to The Church after many years absence. I was no longer working in the same position, but, I was overwhelmed by the guilt I felt. I brought this to confession. My priest asked me if the taxi driver who took her to the abortionist was guilty, and I agreed with him that he would not be. He said the same was true for me.

Even so, it has done little to alliviate my guilt and my regret for not standing up and refusing to do it.

So, to answer your question: I do not think working in a pharmacy would be a sin. You are not responsible for the choices of others. That said, if you feel so strongly about this, you may someday come to regret your decision.

 

[1ke]

You need to get in touch with Pharmacists for Life and the National Catholic Bioethics Center. Both can help you navigate this situation.

 

[Jaguar]

I would say your ok, since you don’t really know what the purchaser is using the pill for (I assume you don’t need to), and that the pill serves many other purposes that are appropriate.

I wouldn’t worry about it. If you were to sell someone a gun, knife or even another dangerous prescription drug, the responsibility falls on them & not you, as to how they use it.

 

[vera_dicere]

I wouldn’t take the job if I were you.

Sure, someone could be buying the pill for hormonal problems or the condoms for water bombs or some other shenanigans, but can you risk it?

Just because you didn’t fill the perscription doesn’t mean you don’t have a hand in facilitating someone else’s sin. And what if someone voluteneers to you the purpose of the pill/condom is for fornication or homosexual action? You then either sell it to them, becoming a party to their sin, or you don’t, and risk your job.

The receptionist at the abortion clinic, she’s not doing the abortions is she, but her guilt is no less.

Don’t risk it. This is your soul we’re talking about. Don’t take the job.