Organ Donations Approved?
Q: What is the Church’s view on organ donation? My father passed away 10 days ago and we donated his corneas.
I know my father is at peace, but this question nags at me. For some reason, somewhere along the way I got the impression that the Church disapproved. This, however, is a means of giving life to others who are in need of such help, which leaves me confused.
A: “This is a means of giving life to others who are in need of such help...,” you wrote. I couldn’t agree more.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: “Organ transplants are not morally acceptable if donors or those who legitimately speak for them have not given their informed consent.
“Organ transplants conform with the moral law and can be meritorious if the physical and psychological dangers and risks incurred by the donor are proportionate to the good sought for the recipient.
“It is morally inadmissible directly to bring about the disabling mutilation or death of a human being, even in order to delay the death of other persons” (#2296).
A couple years ago an American couple donated the organs of their son murdered in a drive-by shooting in Italy. The Church publicly applauded their generous decision which helped seven people.
To avoid a potential conflict of interest, the medical team treating the dying patient should be separate from the team for any potential recipient.
The donation of your father’s corneas was made with your consent and perhaps his before he died. There was no risk to the donor, who had already died. You have given the gift of sight to someone. The Church blesses your action. Please be at peace with your generous, pro-life decision.
I know my father is at peace, but this question nags at me. For some reason, somewhere along the way I got the impression that the Church disapproved. This, however, is a means of giving life to others who are in need of such help, which leaves me confused.
A: “This is a means of giving life to others who are in need of such help...,” you wrote. I couldn’t agree more.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: “Organ transplants are not morally acceptable if donors or those who legitimately speak for them have not given their informed consent.
“Organ transplants conform with the moral law and can be meritorious if the physical and psychological dangers and risks incurred by the donor are proportionate to the good sought for the recipient.
“It is morally inadmissible directly to bring about the disabling mutilation or death of a human being, even in order to delay the death of other persons” (#2296).
A couple years ago an American couple donated the organs of their son murdered in a drive-by shooting in Italy. The Church publicly applauded their generous decision which helped seven people.
To avoid a potential conflict of interest, the medical team treating the dying patient should be separate from the team for any potential recipient.
The donation of your father’s corneas was made with your consent and perhaps his before he died. There was no risk to the donor, who had already died. You have given the gift of sight to someone. The Church blesses your action. Please be at peace with your generous, pro-life decision.
posted by See Tho Zhang Jacob at
8:09 PM
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