Was this a sin? Please let me know! :(

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Catherine_W

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Hi, I am concerned that I may have been apart of a sin…

I am a college student and I shadow a Physician to learn more about the medical field. The doctor I shadow is Catholic, but sadly he still prescribes his patients birth control. I always feel really weird while he is discussing birth control with patients and feel like I am doing wrong by even listing. But on Monday he handed me a birth control prescription to hand to the patient, and I did. I immediately regretted having any part in this, even if I did just hand the piece of paper to the person that the doctor could have handed it to if he only took a few more steps. I just don’t know if I have participated in a mortal sin. I really do not want to ever be a part in giving people birth control. I should have just told the Doctor I don’t feel comfortable doing that, but I guess I was weak, because I feel like it is a privilege for me to shadow him and I didn’t want to be a hindrance. Please give me your advice; do you think I should go to confession before I receive Communion?

Thanks
 
My opinion is that you should talk to your priest about it to be sure. 😉
 
Talk to your priest about it. I believe that you yourself did not take part in a mortal sin. You did not saction it, nor did you do such a sin. I still believe that it was wrong, but not extremely wrong. If you are in a situation like this again you should stand up for your religious beliefs. That would have probably encouraged the Catholic doctor to stop doing such evil deeds. God speed.
 
Talk to your priest.

Also, talk to the doctor privately before you shadow him again, and tell him of your convictions and what you will and will not be a part of. He has no way to know you object until you tell him.

Perhaps arm yourself with some of the materials for doctors you can find at www.omsoul.com so that you can hand him something if he questions you.
 
My opinion is that it was not a sin to handle the prescription. However, you should talk to your priest to learn where the line is drawn on this issue.
 
Something might be said for a sin of omission, however.

We are called, as Christians, to witness for Christ at all times. Your experience with the doctor and the habit of prescribing birth control would have been a wonderful opportunity to stand up for what is right. I think that you should have let your doctor know how you were feeling and how you felt this was wrong well before this incident occurred.

I’m not saying this to make you feel worse. I’m saying this so that Catholics all over America can effect a change for the better. After yesterday’s elections, I am extremely disheartened.

Whatever the case may be, NEVER BE WEAK in standing up for what is right. It is not YOU who speaks for life, but Christ working through you. Be humble and let the Spirit of God work in you.

In the future, if this situation arises where you KNOW that something is wrong, turn yourself over to Christ. Speak up. Only if the laity actively pursue His example is there ever going to be any change in this world.

That said, this particular example crystallizes that sin of omission. Perhaps you did not commit a sin of commission (and that would be up to a more well-educated priest) but certainly there is a sin of omission.

Granted, one should not force one’s opinions on another person. This is not the Catholic way. Rather, to humbly refuse or to humbly express one’s views is a wonderful way of setting an example. If the doctor then proceeds to dismiss you from the shadowing program, know that you were dismissed in the name of Christ. “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
 
Thank you everyone for you replies. I will talk to my priest before this Sunday. I realized that I was wrong in not standing up for what I believe. 😦

But just to be clear, I have talked to this Doctor before about how I believe the use of birth control is wrong and how if I were to become a doctor I would never prescribe it. So he is aware of my belief on the issue, but maybe he forgot. I should have used that opportunity to show how serious I am about my belief that birth control is wrong. I wish I could redo that moment. But all I can do is be repentant and if the occasion rises again I will not make the same mistake.
 
In my opinion you would be really out of line to actually speak up in the presence of a patient. You have already informed the doctor privately about your beliefs and reservations. Discuss it with your confessor and if you are still uncomfortable perhaps you should thank the doctor and forget about trailing around with him.
 
A medical career is admirable, and yet loaded with responsibility. Before good people become doctors (and lawyers) they have to discern if they will be a medical doctor(or laywers) to all patients or just some. If you choose to assist with medical treatments only those who met your criteria. Then I ask you to carry those ethics to your admissions board! You should tell them you will not be treating any one you deem immoral. As you explain your refusal to treat conditions A,B,C,D etc the problem will take carry of itself.

There is a difference between the rights and wrongs I do, and the rights I take away from others
 
I agree with Texas. Or, another solution would be to only trail a doctor who participates in medicine that fits your moral beliefs. Because he cannot stop taking care of his patients in the legal manner he sees fit to. And there will probably be other times like this.
 
Be easy on yourself as you were caught off guard, and talk to your priest. But for future reference, how would be handing someone a scrip for ABC (abortifacient) any different in kind than handing someone a scrip for the “morning after” pill?
 
Texas_Roofer said:
A medical career is admirable, and yet loaded with responsibility. Before good people become doctors (and lawyers) they have to discern if they will be a medical doctor(or laywers) to all patients or just some. If you choose to assist with medical treatments only those who met your criteria. Then I ask you to carry those ethics to your admissions board! You should tell them you will not be treating any one you deem immoral. As you explain your refusal to treat conditions A,B,C,D etc the problem will take carry of itself.

There is a difference between the rights and wrongs I do, and the rights I take away from others
Click to expand...
This is a clear example of a fellow Catholic putting the cart before the horse and being duped by the culture of death at hand. There is not reason for not getting the education one needs to practice compassionate Catholic medicine that upholds the dignity of the patient in accord with Catholic teaching in matters of faith and morals. Of course the practitioner needs to be upfront, public and advertise the quality and extent of service that they will provide.

The rest of your post is an attempt to align with the culture of death, secular and politically correct influence and powers that be, in the educational and medical institutions and put sound and valid Catholic positions on the defensive.

BTW – You need to understand to seperate the person from the behavior and not mistakenly label the person “immoral” – a typical sophmoric error.
 
setter said:
This is a clear example of a fellow Catholic putting the cart before the horse and being ***duped ***by the culture of death at hand. There is **not reason for not **getting the education one needs to practice compassionate Catholic medicine that upholds the dignity of the patient in accord with Catholic teaching in matters of faith and morals. Of course the practitioner needs to be upfront, public and advertise the quality and extent of service that they will provide.

The rest of your post is an attempt to align with the culture of death,*** secular ***and politically correct influence and powers that be, in the educational and medical institutions and put sound and valid Catholic positions on the defensive.

BTW – You need to understand to seperate the person from the behavior and not mistakenly label the person “immoral” – a typical sophmoric error.
Click to expand...
:tsktsk:
 
Perhaps you were sent a message in this situation. Make up for it by being an outwardly pro-life doctor. I have had a situation as a nurse to administer the Pill for the express purpose of birth control. If I remember correctly, I went ahead and did it because I felt I had no choice. Nowadays, I would be bold about it and get a co-worker to do it instead. At least they can’t fire me for it. I don’t care what it would do to me in a social sense among my colleauges. There are more and more of these dilemmas. It’s going to be tough, but what an opportunity for witness (and suffering). I believe we are going to be tested more and more.
 
Texas_Roofer said:
You should tell them you will not be treating any one you deem immoral. As you explain your refusal to treat conditions A,B,C,D etc the problem will take carry of itself.

There is a difference between the rights and wrongs I do, and the rights I take away from others
Click to expand...
The poster never said anything about patients being immoral or not treating certain conditions. Maybe you need to reread the original post. Please show where the op said she wouldn’t treat people she deemed immoral or that there were certain condtions she wouldn’t treat. The question was participating in prescribing birth control.What condition is birthcontrol treating? What illness? What would a doctor be healing by prescribing birthcontrol?

Your argument sounds like a slick politician “I personally don’t believe in abortion but I don’t the right to take that choice away from others.” While I don’t think the poster commited anything but a venial sin, we are obligated to stand up for the truth. There are Catholic doctors out there that won’t precribe birthcontrol. In fact some people on this board that go to them. I wish there were more of them because I would love to have such a doctor.
 
Texas_Roofer said:
A medical career is admirable, and yet loaded with responsibility. Before good people become doctors (and lawyers) they have to discern if they will be a medical doctor(or laywers) to all patients or just some. If you choose to assist with medical treatments only those who met your criteria. Then I ask you to carry those ethics to your admissions board! You should tell them you will not be treating any one you deem immoral. As you explain your refusal to treat conditions A,B,C,D etc the problem will take carry of itself.

There is a difference between the rights and wrongs I do, and the rights I take away from others
Click to expand...
There is no right to formal cooperation with evil.

A physician has an obligation to treat all folks. That does not mean all treatments available should be used. In other words not everything that can be done *ought *to be done.

To use an example that direct abortion is legally permitted does not mean a physician is morally bound to commit such an act.

No one can bind another to do evil.
 
The poster never said anything about patients being immoral or not treating certain conditions. Maybe you need to reread the original post. Please show where the op said she wouldn’t treat people she deemed immoral or that there were certain condtions she wouldn’t treat.
Click to expand...
Fair enough as others have mention similar; it is true the poster does not use the word “immoral”. And it is unfortunate for me to have used it. Because it now redirects the focus from the proper issue. So let me state it another way the poster actually wrote a couple of significant statements 1)* “I always feel really weird while he is discussing birth control with patients and feel like I am doing wrong by even listing.” obviously the poster meant “listening”
2)“I immediately regretted having any part in this*” and 3)" participated in a mortal sin" So before this person considers becoming a doctor in addition to the aversion to birth control the person needs to address the bigger issue of treating all patient for medical care without removing certain subjects, products, or options. That is not a small discernment.
The question was participating in prescribing birth control. What condition is birthcontrol treating? What illness? What would a doctor be healing by prescribing birthcontrol?
Click to expand...
[wellness.uwsp.edu/MedInfo/Handouts/Benefitsof Birth Control Pills.pdf](http://wellness.uwsp.edu/MedInfo/Handouts/Benefitsof Birth Control Pills.pdf)

Poster’s comment edited] *Your argument sounds like a slick politician “I personally don’t believe in… *(edit)… *I don’t *(have) the right to take…(edit) away from others.” [STOP]
Does it make more sense written this way? See the issue of me infringing on you is different than whether I like the patients decision.
While I don’t think the poster commited anything but a venial sin, we are obligated to stand up for the truth. There are Catholic doctors out there that won’t precribe birthcontrol. In fact some people on this board that go to them. I wish there were more of them because I would love to have such a doctor.
Click to expand...
Have you consider the truth may be you do not have the right to deny them of this (or other medical options) option.

Let me complicate the issue for you. Suppose I was a Medical doctor and asked to remove a fetus because of the mother’s medical complications and the possibly of her death was real and reasonable. I would refuse not because of her legal right in the US, but because I could not participate in an action which caused unwarranted death to the fetus. Now in this thread the birth control pills are not proven to be killing, or for that manner harming anybody. (see above section of post) Certainly an assumption can be made but is my assumption warranted superior to the known facts? I would say no. It simply is not my authority as a Catholic to say because you could use this to … Then I refuse you this medical service. (See I already discerned the issue)

Catherine W. if my use of the word “immoral” offended you I truly apologize for that action. I did not intend it the way it was interpreted. I hope you continue your shadowing program it has already help you uncover some issues which need resolved-good luck
 
Texas_Roofer said:
So before this person considers becoming a doctor in addition to the aversion to birth control the person needs to address the bigger issue of treating all patient for medical care without removing certain subjects, products, or options. That is not a small discernment.
[wellness.uwsp.edu/MedInfo/Handouts/Benefitsof Birth Control Pills.pdf](http://wellness.uwsp.edu/MedInfo/Handouts/Benefitsof Birth Control Pills.pdf)

Have you consider the truth may be you do not have the right to deny them of this (or other medical options) option.

Let me complicate the issue for you. Suppose I was a Medical doctor and asked to remove a fetus because of the mother’s medical complications and the possibly of her death was real and reasonable. I would refuse not because of her legal right in the US, but because I could not participate in an action which caused unwarranted death to the fetus. Now in this thread the birth control pills are not proven to be killing, or for that manner harming anybody. (see above section of post) Certainly an assumption can be made but is my assumption warranted superior to the known facts? I would say no. It simply is not my authority as a Catholic to say because you could use this to … Then I refuse you this medical service. (See I already discerned the issue)
Click to expand...
The primary issue and bigger issue that needs to be addressed, that you place in secondary consideration, is whether any Catholic professional has moral coherency in offering and rendering services to the population being served. For a serious Catholic, all decisions reflect the integrity of their Catholic faith, not an exclusion of services, for the greater good of the recipient and society as a whole. Otherwise, one comes across as a failed Catholic politician, “Personally [as a Catholic] I believe ______, but in my public capacity, I will do _____” …and then the culture of death drumbeat goes on for lack of integrity, courage and economic/political/… expediency.
 
Thanks, but you simply misunderstand the post
setter said:
The primary issue and bigger issue that needs to be addressed, that you place in secondary consideration, is whether any Catholic professional has moral coherency in offering and rendering services to the population being served. For a serious Catholic, all decisions reflect the integrity of their Catholic faith, not an exclusion of services, for the greater good of the recipient and society as a whole.
Click to expand...
When you discern the issue the “moral coherency” is the issue, it is not secondary
Otherwise, one comes across as a failed Catholic politician, “Personally [as a Catholic] I believe ______, but in my public capacity, I will do _____”
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More misunderstanding, the process of discerment is rectification of these issues. Again the there is always a differnce between the rights God gives and the rights man attempts to remove from other men. God gave the patient freewill and I would never attempt to undo that
…and then the culture of death drumbeat goes on for lack of integrity, courage and economic/political/… expediency.
Click to expand...
:tsktsk:
 
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