Sterilization for the Life of the Mother

By Arland K. Nichols
Crisis Magazine

The newly published preparatory document for the rapidly approaching synod on “Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization” observes that “knowledge of conciliar and post-conciliar documents on … the family … seems to be rather wanting.” Church teachings regarding marriage, sexuality, and family “do not seem to have taken a foothold in the faithful’s mentality,” and generally, “many Christians … are found to be unaware of the very existence of” Church teaching on the family.

The documents from the magisterium of Pius XII, Paul VI, and Saint John Paul II that address the gift of human sexuality within marriage seem to have little impact on the majority of the lay faithful. Even less is the awareness of the Church’s clear teaching regarding sterilization for therapeutic purposes—when such procedures are sought in order to secure the health of a woman. The vast majority of Catholics are unaware that the Church has succinctly addressed whether procedures such as a hysterectomy or tubal ligation can be done to secure health.

In 1975 and again in 1993 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) responded directly to questions about such medical interventions in two brief documents that were ordered and approved by Pius XII and John Paul II, respectively. The former was a response to questions posed by the Bishops of North America concerning use of such procedures in Catholic hospitals.

Arland K. Nichols is the founding President of the John Paul II Foundation for Life and Family.