What is the Roman Catholic Church's view on the donation of body organs and tissue after you die?

Answer 1

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

Organ transplants are in conformity with the moral law if the physical and psychological dangers and risks incurred by the donor are proportionate to the good sought for the recipient.

Donation of organs after death is a noble and meritorious act and is to be encouraged as a manifestation of generous solidarity.

It is not morally acceptable if the donor or those who legitimately speak for him have not given their explicit consent.

Pope John Paul II's encyclical Evangelium Vitae states:
1. Organ and tissue donation is heroic and praiseworthy.
2. The donor must be dead before organs and tissue can be harvested.
3. The determination of death is left to medical experts.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

It is fine to donate your body to science.

In times past the Church did have some reservations about cremation and other activity that interrupted the natural decay process simply because it looked forward to the resurrection of our bodies and didn't want to violate the "nature" of that. The theological arguments were mostly around whether God needed to use the same "matter" of the individual's body for the bodily resurrection that we all will experience in Christ. If this seems strange, consider that Christ was raised "bodily" from the tomb. Did God need to use that particular matter for Christ's resurrection? Whether he needed to or not doesn't change the fact that he did use it. Since Christ is the prototype of our resurrection, the Church wanted to keep intact the body much like His was. Today, however, our emphasis is on the "transformative" (we are not merely "resuscitated" but transformed to a higher level) aspect of the resurrection. This means that while we recognize that we will be raised "bodily", how God gets that accomplished, and what "matter" he uses is quite secondary to the point that He will do it and no dissemination of ashes or body parts to the four corners of the earth could prevent him from accomplishing His will and promises.

So, let someone have a heart, an eye, a medical student learn about the body, whatever. It's all good provided it is in the interest of good and not unethical medical practices, which unfortunately are growing in our times.

Answer 3

My father died 38 years ago, had willed his body to the Medical School at a prominent Jesuit university, was commended for doing so in his memorial service at the city's Catholic cathedral, and finally was given a Catholic burial in a common plot with others who had donated their bodies. The medical students who learn from these bodies treat them with the highest levels of respect and care. Think if a prospective doctor gains some added perspective as a result of using a specific body, and later uses that knowledge for the greater good of mankind. It is something that the families can take comfort in and makes the passing a little easier. God Bless, act in peace.

Answer 4

i became raised in distinct protestant evangelical church homes and grew to develop into Catholic in my 20's. there are countless Catholics -- over 1000000000 of them. no longer all of them are going to be tremendous human beings. yet maximum church-going Catholics attempt to adhere to Christ's teachings, and they welcome converts. i assistance that you communicate with a operating in the route of Catholic that you comprehend, or call round to different monks and tell them that you've some questions about Catholicism and may have an interest. often times monks are somewhat weird and wonderful, yet merely save calling until eventually eventually you discover one which appears like he genuinely cares about you. I comprehend your prefer to experience needed. it is often puzzling to be Catholic. i fairly have self belief the religion, and considering the fact that I accomplish that, I have frequently been kept away from by different Catholics. What you would possibly want to do is discover different, properly, "authentic believers" and help one yet another. See my information superhighway website in this example, below.

Answer 5

I've seen this question before from some who had answered that question have stated that the catholic church has nothing against it...

However regardless if they do or do not, it is up to you to do what you want..

Answer 6

Question is what is your view on it. Ask Him for insight if you need to.

Answer 7

HEROISM