can a catholic get circumcised? What is the church's stand on this?

-- Jasson D. (jasson_d@usa.net), October 10, 1998

Answers

The Catholic Church does not have a stand.

-- Br. Rich S.F.O. (REPSFO@Prodigy.net), October 10, 1998.

Yes, a Catholic can get circumcised. I was. It was a medical fad in the US at that time. And Biblically, the both circumcised and un were acceptable to Paul, and even a eunuch was preached to and likely admitted somewhere in Acts.

But you do not have to follow or not follow this practice. Sean

-- Sean Cleary (sean_cleary@bigfoot.com), August 23, 2000.

I am not interested in getting into a debate about the propriety of circumcision. This is not the forum for such a thing, and I don't even have an opinion. I just thought that we could benefit from a few facts.
Circumcision was never a fad (a short-lived, popular thing to do). Instead it is a long-lived [at least 50 years] practice in U.S. medicine that is chosen by some parents and not by others. According to professionals' Internet sites on this subject:
-- the current U.S. circumcision rate for newborns is 60% (which is higher than in most other countries).
-- every day in the U.S., over 3,300 infant boys are circumcised.
-- the medical rationales include the improvement of general hygiene; the avoidance of tight/non-retractile foreskin problems; the decreasing of the odds of catching/spreading urinary tract infections, venereal diseases, and cancer.

The Catholic Church considers this to be only a medical matter between parents and physician. While circumcision/uncircumcision makes a difference religiously to Judaism, it does not matter to Christianity -- with perhaps two exceptions: 1. a Christian must not believe that circumcising his/her son makes a spiritual difference, and
2. before marrying, Catholic spouses of Jews must promise to do all that is in their power to raise their sons as Catholics, so this would preclude giving permission for ritual circumcisions. [A Jewish spouse need not promise anything, but must be made aware of the Catholic's promise.]

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jgecik@desc.dla.mil), August 23, 2000.

Hello, Bro. Rich. Just a few weeks ago I was wondering what happend to you. I'm so glad to see you back. Lets hope that you will not deprive us again of your presence and good posts. Welcome back!!!

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), August 24, 2000.

Amigo Enrique,
Sorry to disappoint you, but Brother Rich is not back.
Please note above that the date of his post was in 1998.
Sean Cleary is perusing the "archives" of old threads and decided to respond to a 1998 question.
Adios. John

-- J. F. Gecik (jgecik@desc.dla.mil), August 24, 2000.