Orchiectomy - A moral issue?

[Nimeniton]

Recently I have been browsing a few medical sites on the subject of Orchiectomy. This is a surgical procedure used as a hormone treatment in the fight against cancer for example. On one of these sites I noticed the following:

• Also, although the Roman Catholic Church forbids using artificial means like castration to purify oneself, many men choose to have an orchiectomy for the sake of their religious principles.*

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/5886435

I was surprised by this and wondered if it was really true. The practice of castration does not seem to be condemned in the Bible (Matthew 19:12) and was practiced in the church on prepubescent boys for use in church choirs (castrati).

But with regard to purity as a means of reducing the libido and therefore greatly reducing the temptation to sexual and mortal sin, I am surprised that it is forbidden.

Could anyone enlighten me.

 

[Bluegoat]

You can’t do things like castrate yourself to shut down your libido, is what it comes down to. Whether by chemical treatments, surgical ones, or whatever. It is considered to be a form of mutilation of the body. The body is meant to work a particular way, and to have sexual desire, it has a purpose, it is part of God’s plan. We are supposed to learn to control these things, not extinguish them.

Now, if a person was experiencing abnormal sexual desire that was causing issues, it *might *be acceptable to take measures to try and reduce it to a normal level, or even extinguish it if that was the only treatment. That is, it is ok to try to correct an abnormality, or take measures to make it possible for a person to live with an abnormality on a day to day level.

What would constitute an abnormality of that kind I am not sure - it would be something to discuss with a doctor and priest.

 

[Karenfern]

It is sinful to risk death from cancer just to save your nuts. When castration is done for the sake of saving a life, it is an essential medical procedure. Impotence or infertility are not INTENDED consequences of the surgery so there is no sin attached. If faced with the situation, a Catholic might seek counsel of a priest for support but it doesn’t take Confession.

:angel1:

 

[Nimeniton]

It is sinful to risk death from cancer just to save your nuts. When castration is done for the sake of saving a life, it is an essential medical procedure. Impotence or infertility are not INTENDED consequences of the surgery so there is no sin attached. If faced with the situation, a Catholic might seek counsel of a priest for support but it doesn’t take Confession.

:angel1:

It is an optional treatment offered by doctors. It is the fastest in bringing down the testosterone levels which feed the cancer. However, most men opt to keep their nuts and have regular hormone injections or take estrogen pills. All have their advantages and disadvantages and of course side effects.

Anyway, people have a choice. From a moral perspective, given a choice should they avoid castration?

 

[Nimeniton]

We are supposed to learn to control these things, not extinguish them.
.

Do you see morality as

1. Passing a test of endurance set by God
2. Prevention of evil to oneself and others.
3. Doing good to oneself and others.

Also, which do you consider the most important?

 

[Nimeniton]

Now, if a person was experiencing abnormal sexual desire that was causing issues, it *might *be acceptable to take measures to try and reduce it to a normal level, or even extinguish it if that was the only treatment. That is, it is ok to try to correct an abnormality, or take measures to make it possible for a person to live with an abnormality on a day to day level.
.

Could you direct me to any church teaching on the matter, please.

 

[Bluegoat]

Could you direct me to any church teaching on the matter, please.

I have never seen any on this issue specifically. But the principle is the same as for, say, having a uterus removed, or other surgical alterations, or even use of drugs.

So for example while a woman who is not ovulating normally is allowed to use a drug to try to restore normal function, a woman with normal function couldn’t use it to make her ovulate above the normal level (say to harvest eggs or concieve multiples.) Or a man cannot have surgery to destroy his ability to procreate, but he can have cancerous tissue removed even though that would be a side effect.

I think you could probably find guidelines on this in the CCC - I know it specifically mentions not mutilating the body except for medical reasons. You might try googling “Catholic Church chemical castration.”

 

[Bluegoat]

Do you see morality as

1. Passing a test of endurance set by God
2. Prevention of evil to oneself and others.
3. Doing good to oneself and others.

Also, which do you consider the most important?

Morality is doing things in accordance with God’s will, and avoiding those that are not.