What do I tell my brother about Artificial Insemination?

[ReginaNova]

Island Oak–

I understand your point. But your response to Island Oak is overly harsh. No matter how the original poster found out, the fact of the matter is that what her brother and sister-in-law are doing is immoral in the eyes of the Church and therefore for Catholics. I very much disagree with your characterization of artificial insemination as “their reproductive choices”. That is not a Catholic view.

Indeed, if she found out that they were contemplating abortion or suicide, she should just stand by because her mother shouldn’t have told her? I think as Catholics we are called to lead people to Church teaching in a kind and loving way. I would encourage her to find a way to kindly, and lovingly let them know the Church’s teaching on infertility treatments and the gift of life.

 

[KCT]

Keep your opinions and any advice to yourself.

Your mother was totally out of line to breach your brother and SIL’s confidence (though they were probably foolish to confide in her if they wanted to keep this private).

Have to agree. Pray and sacrifice for them, but unless they ask, you shouldn’t say anything. —KCT

 

[Gwyn]

Gwyn,

You should send this quote below to the Pope Paul VI Institute. This seems to be a common misconception (no pun intended) among pro-lifers. Perhaps they were not aware that artificial insemination (note: this is not the same as in vitro) can be morally done as noted here in Donum Vitae by (then) Cardinal Ratzinger:

nccbuscc.org/prolife/tdocs/part2.htm

Dear Ham
Yes they do acknowledge that.
If you had clicked the link I had posted you would find that Fr. V.Serpa mentioned it. Also, I did get that from PopePaulvi… I did not post all my emails from them.

 

[Island_Oak]

Island Oak–
I understand your point. But your response to Island Oak is overly harsh.

I’m guessing you mean my response to the OP, not to my own post–but there is nothing “harsh” or inappropriate about frankly advising the OP (who asked for our opinion) that the best approach is to MYOB.

No matter how the original poster found out, the fact of the matter is that what her brother and sister-in-law are doing is immoral in the eyes of the Church and therefore for Catholics. I very much disagree with your characterization of artificial insemination as “their reproductive choices”. That is not a Catholic view.Indeed, if she found out that they were contemplating abortion or suicide, she should just stand by because her mother shouldn’t have told her? I think as Catholics we are called to lead people to Church teaching in a kind and loving way. I would encourage her to find a way to kindly, and lovingly let them know the Church’s teaching on infertility treatments and the gift of life.

…and thus we are each able to register our own opinions and respectfully disagree.

Being Catholic does not give one carte blanche to assume the worst and then weigh in on another’s conduct, criticize, advise, and moralize. Fact is, artificial insemination IS a reproductive choice–and as other have pointed out-- one that CAN be pursued in a manner that is consistent with Catholic teachings.

We don’t know if the OP’s brother is a practising Catholic or not–and if not, he is not bound by the Catholic doctrine that guides the OP. If he IS Catholic, he & his wife may be well aware of the Church’s teachings and be doing everything consistent with Catholic requirements. They may also have chosen to disregard them. In either event, the one choice that is clear is that they are not advertising their pursuit of infertility treatments to the OP. My advice might be different if the brother had approached the OP to announce this decision himself. But the only reason the OP has this information is because another person breached a confidence. This is a messy situation and one not likely to improve by assuming the worst and then stirring the pot with unsolicited advice on such intimate decision making.

 

[ReginaNova]

I’m guessing you mean my response to the OP, not to my own post…

My advice might be different if the brother had approached the OP to announce this decision himself. But the only reason the OP has this information is because another person breached a confidence. This is a messy situation and one not likely to improve by assuming the worst and then stirring the pot with unsolicited advice on such intimate decision making.

1. Yes, I did mean your response to the original post.
2. So social etiquette trumps morality? Yep, guess we need to agree to disagree. I think God and our Catholic faith calls us to be more than polite. Rather, I think we are called to be faithful servants and lead others to the truth. Certainly, while still being polite.
3. Furthermore, (referring to your post saying that artificial insemination “CAN be pursued in a manner consistent with Catholic teaching”, I believe you are absolutely wrong on this. I don’t care to get into the details of what artificial insemination is, but the method of collecting the genetic material is morally unacceptable in Catholic teaching.

 

[astegallrnc]

Furthermore, (referring to your post saying that artificial insemination “CAN be pursued in a manner consistent with Catholic teaching”, I believe you are absolutely wrong on this. I don’t care to get into the details of what artificial insemination is, but the method of collecting the genetic material is morally unacceptable in Catholic teaching.

She is referring to the husband’s sperm being removed from the vagina immediately after intercourse and then the IUI is performed. Masturbation is not part of the process.

Autumn