Mexican bishops reiterate immorality of assisted reproduction

Mexico City, Mexico, Feb 29, 2004 / 22:00 pm

The president of the Mexican Bishops Conference, Bishop José Rábago, warned this weekend that the Catholic Church rejects assisted reproduction and considers it immoral.

“In vitro fertilization is most certainly considered immoral by the Church,” Bishop Martín told reporters at the conclusion of Mass in the Cathedral of León, Mexico.

“It’s not my teaching, there is a very clear document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which effectively deals with this subject and points out that it is to be considered immoral,” he explained.

Bishop Rábago underscored that the Church considers immoral artificial insemination either with the sperm of the husband or with that of another man.

“We can speak of two types of fertilization, one takes place with the sperm of a man who is not the husband of the woman, and in this case we are dealing with true adultery.  But we can also speak of fertilization which takes place with the sperm of the husband, and this also has an immoral connotation.”

“The relation between man and woman as ordained in nature by God demands that reproduction be the result of a loving encounter between man and woman in the bonds of marriage,” added Bishop Rábago.

Although he pointed out the Church sympathizes with couples who are not able to bear children, Bishop Rábago stressed it is preferable to chose adoption in such cases.