Praying for a Child: The Catholic Church makes life impossible for infertile women.

[trotsky]

http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2014/09/the_catholic_church_and_infertility_emily_herx_s_lawsuit_describes_the_problem.single.html

In 2011, Emily Herx was teaching English at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was also having trouble getting pregnant, so she began in vitro fertilization treatments. When she informed her supervisors, they were initially supportive, permitting her to begin treatments. But when she requested more time off for her second round of treatment, she was referred to the school’s priest and, later, the local bishop. Eleven days later, she was fired. In response, Herx filed a discrimination lawsuit against the school and the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend. Earlier this month the judge in the case decided that Herx’s firing did not violate the Americans With Disabilities Act—the U.S. government classifies infertility as a disability—but the trial will continue to determine whether there was gender discrimination in play.

The Catholic Church’s rigid stance against abortion and contraception is well known. In Humanae Vitae, Pope Paul VI described the “transmission of human life” as a “sacred duty.” In Catholic thought, it is incumbent upon us to create life, not to prevent or destroy it. What is less well known is that this same logic is arrayed against women who seek to become pregnant through certain reproductive technologies such as IVF, in which a significant number of embryos are fertilized, many of which are then typically destroyed. Embryo destruction in the course of fertility treatments is, like abortion, murder in the eyes of the church.

...

In a statement released by the diocese in 2012 in response to Herx’s lawsuit, church officials said: “The Church promotes treatment of infertility through means that respect the right to life, the unity of marriage, and procreation brought about as the fruit of the conjugal act. There are other infertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization, which are not morally licit according to Catholic teaching.” In other words, sex should take place in the context of marriage, and procreation in the context of sexual intercourse. As for the treatment of fertility through “means that respect the right to life,” that’s the Catholic Church saying that it’s OK for women to chart their menstrual cycles.

...

Infertility is an invisible disability. However, the social context of the Catholic community almost demands that it be made visible, if only so as to avoid the papally authorized stigma of having chosen a childless lifestyle. Francis’ softly worded caveat about those for whom “children do not arrive” makes no difference unless infertile couples out themselves to everyone they encounter.

I wish her luck with her lawsuit, but I fear the outcome will be exactly what I expect.

[YarnAddict]

1. 30 years ago

I had a very, very Catholic friend who wanted a baby so badly. I asked her about in vitro, and she said that wasn't allowed, but she was able to try other treatments, such as fertility drugs. So I know that certain things, other than charting cycles, is permissible. She also had several surgeries for endometriosis. No luck with any of it, and she and her husband eventually adopted a little girl.

[rug]

2. This is an unusual in vitro protocol.

"Herx has stated that she and her husband used every embryo they created and that she informed church officials of this from the beginning."

Given the court's ruling on the ADA, it is likely this suit will fail. But not for the reasons you expect.

[TygrBright]

3. That's not nearly as pervasive or damaging as the hell it makes for fertile women...

...who want to not have babies.

wearily,
Bright