Non-sterilizing Hysterectomies? A Catholic Critique of the CDF.

Publication/Presentation Date

5-1-2020

Abstract

UNLABELLED: In 2019, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) issued a statement that a woman could morally undergo a hysterectomy to avoid serial miscarriages if her uterus were incapable of sustaining a child until viability because the procedure would not constitute a direct sterilization. We believe the CDF's conclusion and line of argumentation are both mistaken. Since the proposed hysterectomy seeks to make impossible what is presently possible-conceiving a child-it must therefore constitute a direct sterilization, which the Church has long taught is immoral. Using the Principle of Totality, we offer and defend a more straightforward interpretation of the case, arguing that while the woman's condition is both tragic and chronic, spiritual counseling and training in natural family planning should be recommended, as a hysterectomy is not medically indicated in this case.

SUMMARY: The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF)'s recently issued a statement claiming that a woman could morally undergo a hysterectomy to avoid serial miscarriages if her uterus were incapable of sustaining a child until viability on the grounds that the procedure would not constitute a direct sterilization. We argue this is mistaken, and that the procedure would constitute a direct sterilization.

Volume

87

Issue

2

First Page

182

Last Page

195

ISSN

0024-3639

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

32549635

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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