Sterilization?

[PennyinCanada]

Is there ever a reason for a Catholic couple to be sterilized?

I know a couple in their 30’s, they have had 2 children and both are physically and mentally delayed. The oldest is 6 and he doesn’t speak, is not potty trained, and just learned to walk. The 2nd child is much like this as well. There are never ending appointments to doctors and specialists and physiotherapists to try to manage their health issues. These 2 children will need life long care. They are expecting their 3rd baby soon. I think they are very brave and have much faith in God. I don’t think if I traded places with them, would have the courage to have another baby. The grandma had numerous miscarriages (5 or 6) before she had the one daughter so there seems to be a serious genetic problem being carried, besides the obvious 2 children.

It did make me wonder if there was an acceptable reason for getting sterilized.

 

[SonCatcher]

There is never a reason to seek sterilization. A couple in the situation you describe may use NFP to avoid further pregnancies while they are caring for children with special needs.

 

[fermat]

There is a couple in my diocese who are in a similar situation. They petitioned the bishop for permission for the husband to sterilize and it was granted. As I understand it is a rare case, but it seems that it can be done.

Does anyone here know the canon where this might be explained?

 

[Defender1]

The is really no reason to be sterelized . The Catholic church approves Natural family planning .I do not know the specifics of it however i do know that the church approves of it .Now There are certain rules the church has that they want you to go by while doing Natural family planning .Sterelized birth control is not accepted by the church .

 

[PennyinCanada]

They are a couple faithful to the church and are involved in teaching NFP.

I think families that care for special needs children are very special people, really, heroes in this culture of abortion. I can’t imagine having more than one child with special needs to manage. With everything else, the 6 yr old has an appointment for a bone marrow biopsy in April. These are not simple health issues. Please pray that the coming baby is well and sound.

 

[1ke]

It did make me wonder if there was an acceptable reason for getting sterilized.

No, Penny.

Sterilization is an intrinsically evil act and therefore is always morally wrong. There are no circumstances in which sterilization is moral.

 

[1ke]

There is a couple in my diocese who are in a similar situation. They petitioned the bishop for permission for the husband to sterilize and it was granted. As I understand it is a rare case, but it seems that it can be done.

This may be the story going around, but it is absolutely false.

Neither the Bishop nor the Pope can give someone a “dispensation” to commit an intrinsically evil act-- a mortal sin. There is no such thing.

Does anyone here know the canon where this might be explained?

NO, because no such canon exists, no such dispensation exists.