What liturgies does the Polish national Catholic Church use?
· Bishops of Poland's influential Roman Catholic Church have branded ... some 50 clinics perform IVF in Poland and the treatment costs 6,500-15,000 zlotys ($2,300-$5,300), according to statistics ...
Why are there no Polish priests in the Catholic Church?
· In order to justify the morality of new procedures, new attempts and methods of research and medical treatment, three main principles must be kept in mind: 1) The interests of medical science. 2) The interests of the individual patient to be treated. 3) The interests of the community, the “bonum commune” [common good].
Are old Catholics and Polish Catholics in communion?
the Polish National Catholic Church is not in “full communion” with the Roman Catholic Church. This means that, while the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist – when celebrated in the PNCC – are valid, it is not licit (not legal according to Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church) for Roman Catholics to receive them. Doing ...
What happened to the Polish Orthodox Church during World War II?
Formally, the Polish National Catholic Church was organized at Scranton, Pennsylvania, on March 14, 1897. By 1904 over 20,000 people in five states joined the Polish Catholic Church. The PNCC is the only American Church that is a member of the Utrecht Union of Old Catholic Churches. Both the Roman Catholic and the Orthodox Churches recognize ...
Do Roman Catholics believe in medicine?
Several convictions guide Roman Catholic teaching on moral issues in medicine: Because human beings are made in the image and likeness of God, every human being has an inherent and inviolable dignity. It is this dignity that is the basis of every individual's inalienable rights.
Can Catholics refuse medical treatment?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church has some very helpful advice: “Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of 'over-zealous' treatment.
What did the Roman Catholic Church ban?
But then, from the Middle Ages to 1500 A.D., the Western Church (later known as the Roman Catholic Church) started banning marriages to cousins, step-relatives, in-laws, and even spiritual-kin, better known as godparents.
Are Roman Catholics allowed to use birth control?
On New Year's Eve 1930, the Roman Catholic Church officially banned any "artificial" means of birth control. Condoms, diaphragms and cervical caps were defined as artificial, since they blocked the natural journey of sperm during intercourse.
What does the Catholic Church say about healthcare?
The Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services are clear: “Catholic health care ministry is rooted in a commitment to promote and defend human dignity,” and they explain, “This is the foundation of its concern to respect the sacredness of every human life from the moment of conception until ...
Does the Catholic Church believe in hospice?
Intentionally hastening death not only violates the sanctity of human life and the Ethical and Religious Directives the Catholic hospice is bound to uphold, but it also runs counter to the general philosophy that hospice neither hastens nor postpones death.
Can Catholics use condoms?
The Catholic ban on the use of condoms, or any other device, for contraceptive purposes remains. One of the pope's most senior officials, Cardinal Rino Fisichella, told the press conference condoms were "intrinsically an evil".
Are condoms a sin?
The use of a condom, even when employed to prevent the transmission of disease is a mortal sin, the highest grade of sin in the Catholic church.
Can a Catholic man get a vasectomy?
ROME, Aug. 5 (AP) — The Vatican declared today that men who have had vasectomies can enter valid marriages. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the most important judge of Roman Catholic orthodoxy, published a decree that changes church practice on the vasectomy issue.
Can Catholics have tattoos?
Paul makes it perfectly clear that the ceremonial law is no longer binding. I'll cut to the chase: There is nothing immoral about tattoos. Mother Church has never condemned them, and neither can I. It is one of those areas where a Catholic must follow his or her conscience.
Do Catholics believe in abortion?
The Catholic Church states that abortion is always wrong, because life begins at conception and is God given. This means that in the eyes of the Catholic Church abortion is classed as murder and goes against the commandment, Thou shalt not kill (Exodus 20:13). This commandment is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 19:18.
What does the Pope say about condoms?
Pope Benedict XVI has said the use of condoms is acceptable in exceptional circumstances, according to a new book. He said condoms could reduce the risk of HIV infection, such as for a male prostitute, in a series of interviews given to a German journalist.
Can doctors refuse patients based on religion?
Justice dictates that physicians provide care to all who need it, and it is illegal for a physician to refuse services based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. But sometimes patients request services that are antithetical to the physician's personal beliefs.
What does the Catholic Church say about pulling the plug?
In 1998, speaking at a hospice in Vienna, Pope John Paul II proclaimed that keeping patients alive by "extraordinary or disproportionate means," as well as the artificial "hastening of death" by pulling the plug, were both at odds with Catholic principles.
Why do hospitals ask about religion?
Most physicians also believe that physicians should ask and be aware of patients' religious and spiritual beliefs in the context of their health care and that asking patients about their religious and spiritual beliefs is an important part of their role as physicians.
What percentage of doctors are Catholic?
Table 1AffiliationPhysicians, % (N)U.S. Population,*% (N)Catholic21.7 (244)26.7 (370)Jewish14.1 (181)1.9 (26)None†10.6 (117)13.3 (198)Hindu5.3 (53)0.2 (1)7 more rows•Feb 1, 2005
How does the PNCC treat sins?
The PNCC regards a confession of faults to God, followed by the assignment of penance and absolution given by the priest, to be the way the congregation normally obtains forgiveness of sins. The sacrament may be administered in one of two ways: public or private. Private confession is required for all members under the age of sixteen, while public confession is a part of every Mass. In this form, the faithful confess their sins directly and privately to God. The entire congregation then recites the Prayer of Confession. Adults may avail themselves of private confession if they so wish.
When was Hodur consecrated?
Hodur was consecrated as a bishop in 1907 in Utrecht, Netherlands, by three Old Catholic bishops. The PNCC considers him to be the founder and first bishop of the denomination. In 1914 another schism resulted in the formation of the smaller Lithuanian National Catholic Church; it later merged with the PNCC.
What is the Catholic Church's view on marriage?
The church believes that "Marriage is the sacrament which makes a Christian man and woman husband and wife, gives them grace to be faithful to each other and to bring up their children in love and devotion to God." Unlike in the Catholic Church, PNCC deacons are not permitted to officiate at weddings. The PNCC permits divorced people to participate fully in the Mass and to receive the Eucharist. The church does not recognise civil divorce and requires an annulment before parishioners can remarry. Every diocese has a matrimonial commission that studies each request for marriage by persons who have been divorced. The commission presents its findings and recommendation to the bishop, who makes the final decision.
When was the Nordic Catholic Church founded?
The Nordic Catholic Church was established in Norway in 2000 under the auspices of the Polish National Catholic Church. Since July 2011 the Nordic Catholic Church is an autocephalous member church of the Union of Scranton.
Can a priest be married?
Since 1921 the PNCC has permitted its clergy to be married, and in practice encourages them to be so. They believe that a married priest will have a better understanding of the marital issues facing his parishioners. If a person is unmarried at the time of ordination, he must remain so for a period of two years before entering marriage. The church does not permit women to be ordained either to the diaconate or ministerial priesthood .
What is the PNCC?
The PNCC is governed in accordance with its Constitution and Laws. Bishops and priests possess the authority to explain and teach the doctrinal position of the church in matters of faith, morals and discipline. The legislative authority of the Church is vested in the General Synod, the Special Synod, the Diocesan Synod and the Parish Meeting. In financial and administrative matters, the parishioners possess administrative authority. Representatives elected at the Annual Parish Meeting, and confirmed by the diocesan Bishop, exercise their constitutional authority in cooperation with the pastor.
Description
The second installment of a series of reflections by Bishop Robert Morlino of Madison, WI concerning the appropriate medical treatment relative to certain life issues.
Publisher & Date
Please allow me to continue with the second installment of a series [ read first installment] of reflections concerning the appropriate medical treatment relative to certain life issues.
Is psy chopharmacology morally justified?
Psychotherapy, behavior modification, and psy-chopharmacology can be morally justified whenthey are employed for the well-being of thepatient and have the effect of enhancing thepatient’s freedom. The principles noted abovewould guide these decisions.
What does Catholicism believe about pain?
As previously noted, Catholicism upholds thebelief that pain and suffering can be beneficial,but it does not see them as good in themselvesor as conditions to be endured without relief.The church not only supports but recommendsthe relief of pain and suffering—with some quali-fications, however. A major concern that sur-faces in various ecclesiastical documents is thefear that analgesics will be used to such anextent that they will prevent the dying personfrom experiencing his or her dying and doingthe work of dying. In the words of the PontificalCouncil Cor Unum, the excessive use of anal-gesics “deprives him of arriving at a sereneacceptance of [death], of achieving a state ofpeace; of sharing, perhaps, a last intense rela-tionship between a person reduced to that lastof human poverties and another person who willhave been privileged by knowing him. And, ifthe dying person is a Christian, he is beingdeprived of experiencing his death in commun-ion with Christ” (Pontifical Council 1981). Sowhile it is permissible to attempt to reduce oreven eliminate pain, it is not optimal to plungethe patient into unconsciousness to do so, unlessthat is absolutely necessary. There must be acompelling reason to deprive someone of con-sciousness in the attempt to relieve pain (ERD,D. 61).
What is the Catholic Church's support for science?
The Catholic church is very supportive of devel-opments in science and technology . Advances inhuman knowledge, the search for truth, and theuse of human creative abilities for the good ofhuman beings are an expression of humandominion over the created world. God createdhuman beings in his own image and likeness(Genesis 1:27), entrusting them with the respon-sibility of “dominion over the earth” (Genesis1:28). “Basic scientific research and appliedresearch constitute a significant expression ofthis dominion of man over creation. Science andtechnology are valuable resources for man whenplaced at his service and when they promote hisintegral development for the benefit of all”(CDF 1987: introduction, no. 2; Pius XII, 1952).Not everything in scientific research and inthe development of various technologies is per-mitted, however. Science and technology cannotthemselves be the source of moral norms, of themeaning of human progress, or of human exis-tence. Usefulness, efficacy, and efficiency are notmoral criteria. Rather science and technologyare subject to and limited by moral valuesderived from the human person. In the words ofthe Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,the Vatican office responsible for maintainingorthodoxy in matters of faith and morals: “They[science and technology] draw from the personand his moral values the indication of their pur-pose and the awareness of their limits. . . .Science and technology require for their ownintrinsic meaning an unconditional respect forthe fundamental criteria of the moral law: Thatis to say, they must be at the service of thehuman person, of his inalienable rights and histrue and integral good according to the designand will of God” (CDF 1987: introduction, no.2; Pius XII, 1952; CCC 1997: nos. 2292-95).The Congregation for the Doctrine of theFaith goes on to elaborate an ethical perspectiveand a basic principle to guide scientific researchand technological developments. Adequate crite-ria in this area can be derived only from a holis-tic understanding of the human person, that is,one that takes into account that human beingsare a “unified totality,” a unity of the corporaland the spiritual. The corporal dimension of theperson is a constitutive element; it is the mannerby which the individual expresses himself orherself. Furthermore, because the body is unitedwith a spiritual soul, it cannot be considered amere assemblage of tissues and organs or noth-ing more than the bodies of animals. Thehuman body is something more and needs to betreated as such.
What is the Catholic Church's position on truth telling?
The Catholic church bases its position in regardto truth-telling and confidentiality on respect forpersons and on its more general teaching aboutthe moral obligation to communicate truthfully.It supports the current beliefs and practices inmedical ethics regarding these issues. Pope PiusXII did address the matter of truth-telling:
What does Pope Pius XII say about proxy decision making?
In two separate statements, Pope Pius XII recog-nizes the legitimacy of proxy decision making.In one statement he notes that “the rights andduties of the family depend in general upon thepresumed will of the unconscious patient if he isof age and ‘sui juris’”(Pius XII, 1957). Thiswould seem to suggest that family members canspeak on behalf of the patient and also that thebasis of their decision should be what thepatient would choose if the patient were able.This is often referred to as “substituted judg-ment.” In the other statement, the pope observesthat the rights of proxies in their decision-mak-ing capacity are coextensive with those of thepatient; that is, proxies have the same rights thatthe patient has, and to the same extent (PiusXII, 1952).
What is the sacrament of the sick?
The sacrament of the sick or the “anointing ofthe sick” is among the seven sacraments thatthe church celebrates. The ritual part of thechurch’s pastoral care of the sick and the dying,the practice goes back to the early days of thechurch. Until 1972, when the rite was reformedin accordance with the Second Vatican Council,it was referred to as “extreme unction” or the“last anointing” and was usually reserved for theimminently dying. Today it is offered to anyCatholic who is experiencing illness or debilita-tion in order to provide spiritual strength as wellas to express the support of the community. Theritual consists primarily in praying and inanointing with oil (CCC 1997: nos. 1499-1525).
What is the sacrament of reconciliation?
The sacrament of reconciliation, also one of theseven sacraments, involves the confession ofone’s sins to a priest, the representative ofChrist, in order to obtain forgiveness. It is theritual whereby sinners are reconciled with God,the church, and fellow human beings. It is animportant part of the spiritual care of the ill, andof the terminally ill in particular (CCC 1997:nos. 1422-70).
What is Donum Vitae?
[1] Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Donum Vitae (“Instruction on Respect for Human Life in Its Origin and the Dignity of Procreation: Replies to Certain Questions of the Day”), February 22, 1987, II,A,1.
What is a naprotechnology?
NaProTECHNOLOGY (Natural Procreative Technology) uses fertility care, not fertility control, with both medical and surgical techniques employed to heal the body. In general, the couple uses the Creighton Model of natural family planning to monitor hormonal events during the menstrual cycle.
What does the Bible say about women who can't conceive?
The Bible mentions a number of women who were unable to conceive and were thus considered “barren” by their kinfolk. Their anguish is plainly evident—not because of the opinions of others, but because of their natural yearning for a child. Elkanah asks his wife, “Hannah, why do you weep, and why do you refuse to eat? Why do you grieve? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” (1 Samuel 1:8). Of course, there are other examples, including Abraham’s wife Sarah, and Elizabeth, who conceived St. John the Baptist in her old age. The pain does not only fall upon the wife; a husband and wife who cannot conceive often fundamentally see themselves as incomplete in what the Church describes as their “reciprocal self-giving.” 1
What is the Dignitas Personae?
Dignitas Personae summarizes in general the Church’s attitude towards a scientific or technical solution for infertility: Certainly, techniques aimed at removing obstacles to natural fertilization, as for example, hormonal treatments for infertility, surgery for endometriosis, unblocking of fallopian tubes or their surgical repair, are licit.
What is physical sterility?
Physical sterility in fact can be for spouses the occasion for other important services to the life of the human person, for example , adoption, various forms of educational work, and assistance to other families and to poor or handicapped children .
What is the difference between IVF and GIFT?
Standard IVF procedures mix human sperm and eggs in a glass dish, and the embryo ( s) are then implanted into the uterus . By contrast, a GIFT procedure fertilizes a woman’s egg inside her body.