Sunday, August 27, 2006
Vatican's Response to New Stem Cell Research

In response to a new method of embryonic stem cell research, "A Vatican official on Saturday criticized a new method of making stem cells that does not require the destruction of embryos, calling it a 'manipulation' that did not address the church's ethical concerns." It appears that the 16 human embryos Advanced Cell Technology used to come up with the process did indeed die during the procedure (1).

Remember, that as Catholics we are to follow the teachings of the Church on both faith and morals - which include their view of embryonic stem cell research and In-vitro fertilization. To disagree with the Magesterium of the Church, on even one issue of dogma would put our salvation at risk. Follow the Church as you would follow Christ Himself; as St. Joan of Arc said, "About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know they are just one thing and we shouldn’t complicate the matter.”  Yet, of course, do not confuse matters of dogma with matters of discipline (e.g. liturgical practices) since many times Vatican officials, priests, and bishops error on such matters, which are of still great importance in the sacramental life of the Church.


Image Source: Currently unknown. Believed to have been post 2007 via a news source.

4 comment(s):

del_button August 27, 2006 at 8:29 PM
Tim said...

Hi, moneybags, like your blog.
Am wondering if you might be a little too presumptious when you made this statement:

"Remember, that as Catholics we are to follow the teachings of the Church on both faith and morals - which include their view of embryonic stem cell research and In-vitro fertilization. To disagree with the Church, the Body of Christ, on even one issue would put our salvation at risk."

Surely, you don't think my salvation would be at risk because I believed that this new form of stem cell research was morally sound, do you?
Offering news of this sort can be helpful to keep your Catholic audience up to par on current events. But to suggest that Catholics must toe the line on such a current event or be in risk of grave sin and eternal damnation smacks me of meddling.
Perhaps it's just a passing mood that I am in, but that comment rubbed me the wrong way.

del_button August 28, 2006 at 10:13 PM
Anonymous said...

there are alot of things that sound good at first but in a deeper look at them they end up beening the same thing. If you read the scientific respones one cell has the poltental to be a human-being at this point.this would then be cloneing thus beening against the law in the USA

del_button August 29, 2006 at 6:07 AM
Matthew said...

Very true, Jerry.

del_button August 29, 2006 at 6:12 AM
Matthew said...

Tim,

One saint (whose name escapes me) said that we must indeed believe every issue on faith or morals or we could put our salvation at risk.

Embryonic stem cell research is a non-negotiable - all Catholics MUST believe it is wrong in all circumstances. An embryo, a person, is dying for nothing in this research!

There are 5 non-negotiables that Catholics MUST believe what the Church teaches - embryonic stem cell, human cloning, abortion, euthanasia, gay marriage. Other teachings that need to be obeyed include not supporting artificial contraception or In-vitro fertilization.

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