Male Circumcision: Should Catholic parents get their sons circumcised?

[Holly3278]

Hey everyone. I have done some reading on circumcision in the past and during this research, I learned that apparently there are disadvantages to circumcising a male child. Of course, there are also supposedly some advantages to male circumcision. I will discuss these in a moment.

According to the World Health Organization, 30% of males around the world are circumcised. 68% of those who are circumcised worldwide are Muslim. If you are from the United States, you may find this hard to believe since male circumcision is a lot more common in the United States than it is in most other countries. 75% of American males are circumcised. 30% of Canadian males are circumcised.

As far as advantages to circumcision go, some claim that males who are circumcised are less likely to acquire HIV. Others say that it is best to get a newborn male circumcised due to cleanliness issues. I really know next to nothing about the first issue but as far as the second one goes, an uncircumcised boy can easily keep himself clean if he is taught how to do so. I really am not aware of any other advantages to circumcision.

As far as the disadvantages to circumcision go, there are some that claim that adult men who have been circumcised experience less pleasure during the marital act. Also, circumcision is well known to be a very painful process for baby boys. It is, of course, also painful for older children and men who choose to get circumcised. Now, granted, there are anesthetics that can be used to reduce the pain during the procedure but what about after the procedure? From what I understand, baby boys, older male children, and adult men who choose to get circumcised remain sore for several days after this procedure. And then, of course, there is the risk of of something going badly wrong. The immediate risks of circumcision range from things that are easily treatable such as infections to things that are much more serious such as part of the boy’s penis being completely destroyed or severed. Believe it or not, there have been instances in which doctors or others who were trained to do circumcisions actually managed to severe a portion of the boy’s penis leaving them permanently disfigured!

And so, now having looked at both the advantages and disadvantages of male circumcision, I think that a look at the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the New Testament would be helpful for this discussion.

**527 **Jesus’ circumcision, on the eighth day after his birth, is the sign of his incorporation into Abraham’s descendants, into the people of the covenant. It is the sign of his submission to the Law and his deputation to Israel’s worship, in which he will participate throughout his life. This sign prefigures that “circumcision of Christ” which is Baptism.

**1150 **Signs of the covenant. The Chosen People received from God distinctive signs and symbols that marked its liturgical life. These are no longer solely celebrations of cosmic cycles and social gestures, but signs of the covenant, symbols of God’s mighty deeds for his people. Among these liturgical signs from the Old Covenant are circumcision, anointing and consecration of kings and priests, laying on of hands, sacrifices, and above all the Passover. The Church sees in these signs a prefiguring of the sacraments of the New Covenant.

**2297 ***Kidnapping *and hostage taking bring on a reign of terror; by means of threats they subject their victims to intolerable pressures. They are morally wrong. *Terrorism *threatens, wounds, and kills indiscriminately; it is gravely against justice and charity. *Torture *which uses physical or moral violence to extract confessions, punish the guilty, frighten opponents, or satisfy hatred is contrary to respect for the person and for human dignity. Except when performed for strictly therapeutic medical reasons, directly intended amputations, mutilations, and *sterilizations *performed on innocent persons are against the moral law.

Emphasis in underlining mine.

For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
(1 Corinthians 7:19 RSV)

For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
(Galatians 6:15 RSV)

So now we have made it clear that not only is circumcision completely unnecessary in view of theology but we have also made it clear that directly intended amputations and mutilations are against the moral law. Is not a circumcision a mutilation? The child was born with the foreskin, not without it. It is unnatural. By circumcising a male child, you are deliberately having a body part which may or may not be useful removed. Most people would agree that the benefits of circumcision are few. Some would also agree that the disadvantages of circumcision are many.

So, what do you think? Do you think that circumcising a male child is worth the risk? Is it immoral or is it morally neutral? Personally, I believe it is immoral to impose such a permanent thing upon a child. If I ever have a son, I will let my son make the decision for how he wants his genitals to be later in life when he is capable of making his own decision.

 

[Corki]

What do I think?

I think this is a banned topic. It never goes well.

 

[Holly3278]

What do I think?

I think this is a banned topic. It never goes well.

Are you sure this is a banned topic? I looked in the forum rules under banned topics and did not see anything about male circumcision being a banned topic.

 

[Joe_5859]

So, what do you think? Do you think that circumcising a male child is worth the risk? Is it immoral or is it morally neutral? Personally, I believe it is immoral to impose such a permanent thing upon a child. If I ever have a son, I will let my son make the decision for how he wants his genitals to be later in life when he is capable of making his own decision.

I would hope you let your husband in on this decision making process.

Circumcision is not immoral. Why would God choose an intrinsically immoral act to be the sign of his covenant with the Israelites? He wouldn’t. Circumcision is not an amputation, a mutilation, nor a sterilization. It is not at all what CCC 2297 is talking about.

The choice whether or not to circumcise is a personal one that the couple should make together, perhaps in consultation with their doctor and/or priest. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Circumcision is no longer required under the New Covenant, but neither is it condemned or banned.

Another reason that some circumcise their children these days is for reasons of solidarity. As you said, since the majority of those in the U.S. are circumcised, some parents don’t want their son to be “different”. Also, if the father is circumcised, some couples want to have their son match the husband so the son will not grow up feeling different from Dad.

 

[Newbie2]

Both my sons were circumcised.

Since there is some debate in the medical community about the risks and benefits, it’s clearly not a strictly medical issue.

Theologically, it really doesn’t matter unless someone thinks it benefits a person’s soul.

 

[tee_eff_em]

As far as advantages to circumcision go, some claim that males who are circumcised are less likely to acquire HIV. Others say that it is best to get a newborn male circumcised due to cleanliness issues. I really know next to nothing about the first issue but as far as the second one goes, an uncircumcised boy can easily keep himself clean if he is taught how to do so. I really am not aware of any other advantages to circumcision.

I don’t know about HIV – Are you sure the claim is not less likely to acquire HPV, which transmission to sexual partner(s) correlates with cervical cancer? The case could be made that such is a [prophylactic] theraputic medical reason, don’t you think?

Will likely regret having waded into this thread,
tee

 

[DaughterOfMary6]

My uncle and aunt (non-Catholics; my uncle was born Catholic but is no longer practicing) decided upon the birth of their two boys that neither of them would be circumcised. However, a few years ago, both of the boys were having terrible urinary tract infections and were too young to do anything about it. My uncle and aunt tried everything the doctor suggested, but it never worked. Finally, they decided to get both of the boys circumcised. Mind you, since they were a bit older, it was a bit more painful, but necessary for their health. Apparently, the foreskin was trapping bacteria and causing the terrible infections. In my opinion, there is truth to the adage that circumcision is necessary for health. Like others have said, if God allowed it for the Jews to integrate them into the Jewish faith, I honestly don’t believe there is anything wrong with it.

Now, I have heard of cases where doctors have botched circumcisions (like any surgery, something can go wrong), but it is extremely rare. Also, some claim it is a barbaric practice, but I don’t agree with this, because of the statements I made above.

If I have baby boys, I will most likely get them circumcised. Of course, it is not necessary, but if it would prevent bacterial infections, I would think it would be a benefit, not a problem.

 

[Cristiano]

My uncle and aunt (non-Catholics; my uncle was born Catholic but is no longer practicing) decided upon the birth of their two boys that neither of them would be circumcised. However, a few years ago, both of the boys were having terrible urinary tract infections and were too young to do anything about it. My uncle and aunt tried everything the doctor suggested, but it never worked. Finally, they decided to get both of the boys circumcised. Mind you, since they were a bit older, it was a bit more painful, but necessary for their health. Apparently, the foreskin was trapping bacteria and causing the terrible infections. In my opinion, there is truth to the adage that circumcision is necessary for health. Like others have said, if God allowed it for the Jews to integrate them into the Jewish faith, I honestly don’t believe there is anything wrong with it.

Now, I have heard of cases where doctors have botched circumcisions (like any surgery, something can go wrong), but it is extremely rare. Also, some claim it is a barbaric practice, but I don’t agree with this, because of the statements I made above.

If I have baby boys, I will most likely get them circumcised. Of course, it is not necessary, but if it would prevent bacterial infections, I would think it would be a benefit, not a problem.

Considering the amount of infections (especially staph) going around the hospitals today, do you really think that any kind of elective surgery is a good idea? I am not sure that the probabilities are in favor of overall reduced risk.

 

[Holly3278]

I don’t know about HIV – Are you sure the claim is not less likely to acquire HPV, which transmission to sexual partner(s) correlates with cervical cancer? The case could be made that such is a [prophylactic] theraputic medical reason, don’t you think?

Will likely regret having waded into this thread,
tee

Well, I thought it said HIV. It may have said HPV though and I misread. If I did misread, I apologize.

But anyway, from what I read, the reduced risk is so statistically small that it is hardly even worth mentioning.

In my opinion, having a son circumcised just so he will look like everyone else is a stupid reason to have it done. I mean, you don’t see parents getting plastic surgery done on their children just so their children will look like other members of the family, do you?

I admit, I am against circumcision. My primary reason is because it causes the baby so much pain.

 

[Brannock]

I will not have my children circumcised unless it is a necessary procedure, BUT, and this is VERY IMPORTANT. If it seems as if they may need one, I WILL ENSURE it is done BEFORE PUBERTY.

In my life I have had knee surgery’s, hand surgery’s, ankle surgery’s, and I actually had half my face rebuilt with titanium after breaking it in 11 places during a car accident. BUT, the most painful recovery was from my “adult” circumcision (age 19). Not to be crude, but there are aspects of being that age and easily excitable that make stitches and such especially painful at times. I wish the procedure hadn’t been necessary, but it was. It also was not “days of soreness”, it was weeks of intense pain, and months of soreness.

Now that I have given far too much personal information out, and spoken in too many caps. I implore that if for a medical reason it is probable that a boy will need a circumcision, do it before puberty. Otherwise leave it alone.

And nowwww…ridicule me

 

[Aboveallbereal]

Quite remarkable that this question should even arise in our times. One of the many many benefits arising from the New Covenant post Christ was and is the end of the notion that this bizarre practice has any religious or moral worth.

Its popularity in middle class non-Jewish/Moslem North American circles is rooted in 19th century anti masturbation scares and the notion that uncircumcised boys were more likely to self abuse. The fanciful notions that it assists cleanliness or prevents disease are attempts at justification.

Those of you with or going to have infant children should on no account go along with this Pre Christian nonsense.

 

[Orleans_Attny]

Hey everyone. I have done some reading on circumcision in the past and during this research, I learned that apparently there are disadvantages to circumcising a male child. Of course, there are also supposedly some advantages to male circumcision. I will discuss these in a moment.

. . . .

So, what do you think? Do you think that circumcising a male child is worth the risk? Is it immoral or is it morally neutral? Personally, I believe it is immoral to impose such a permanent thing upon a child. If I ever have a son, I will let my son make the decision for how he wants his genitals to be later in life when he is capable of making his own decision.

It is NOT a theological issue for Catholics.

I think it’s a personal opinion that seems to be losing its past popularity (in the US).

Not to sound sexist, but the father gets the 51% vote when it comes to the treatment of a newborn’s penis.

I can’t imagine that this topic is controversial - but I seem to be saying that a lot lately . . . sigh

Pax from father of 3 boys,
OA

 

[Holly3278]

It is NOT a theological issue for Catholics.

I think it’s a personal opinion that seems to be losing its past popularity (in the US).

Not to sound sexist, but the father gets the 51% vote when it comes to the treatment of a newborn’s penis.

I can’t imagine that this topic is controversial - but I seem to be saying that a lot lately . . . sigh

Pax from father of 3 boys,
OA

I agree that it is not a theological issue. However, I do believe that it is a moral issue.

 

[KostyaJMJ]

It is kind of insulting to suggest that the token of an everlasting covenant between God and His people is morally wrong. Don’t you think?

 

[Holly3278]

It is kind of insulting to suggest that the token of an everlasting covenant between God and His people is morally wrong. Don’t you think?

Well, you do have a point there. Maybe it isn’t morally wrong. I really don’t know. But even if it isn’t morally wrong to circumcise an infant boy, it is certainly not necessary in the vast majority of cases.

 

[mcrow]

I think the Catholic Church has said that it should not be done for religious reasons since baptism supercedes it.

However, it is considerd OK to do if the parents deem it a health related issue. Basically, the church leaves it up to the parents to decide if it has health benefits or not.

 

[Joe_5859]

Well, I thought it said HIV. It may have said HPV though and I misread. If I did misread, I apologize.

But anyway, from what I read, the reduced risk is so statistically small that it is hardly even worth mentioning.

In my opinion, having a son circumcised just so he will look like everyone else is a stupid reason to have it done. I mean, you don’t see parents getting plastic surgery done on their children just so their children will look like other members of the family, do you?

I admit, I am against circumcision. My primary reason is because it causes the baby so much pain.

And that’s fine for you to think that way. We just want to avoid dressing up our own opinions as something that is morally binding on all Catholics.

 

[Cristiano]

It is kind of insulting to suggest that the token of an everlasting covenant between God and His people is morally wrong. Don’t you think?

Are you a pre-Christian Jew? If not, then there is not token. What was allowed or required before it could be morally wrong now. God is the one that changed the rules of engagement with the coming of Christ!

 

[Holly3278]

I think you should all know that ancient Jewish circumcision was probably just a removal of the redundant foreskin tissue at the tip of the penis of the baby. I won’t go into detail on that because I don’t want to be sexually explicit. You should read this article though. It is not sexually explicit:

cirp.org/library/history/peron2/

And finally, here is an argument against circumcision from a Catholic ethicist. Please note that I do not condemn those who have their children circumcised.

cirp.org/library/ethics/clark2006/

And finally, it should be noted that circumcision in the United States is largely done for reasons of appearance or religious reasons. Catholics have no religious reason for having a circumcision performed like Jewish people and Muslim people do.

 

[Joe_5859]

Thanks for that info, Holly. Interesting articles. “We’ve always done it that way” is a difficult thing to move beyond, though.