Pope calls for universal ban on surrogacy in global roundup of threats to peace and human dignity

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By NICOLE WINFIELD
Updated 5:32 AM CST, January 8, 2024

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis called Monday for a universal ban on the “despicable” practice of surrogate motherhood, as he included the “commercialization” of pregnancy in an annual speech listing threats to global peace and human dignity.

In a foreign policy address to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, Francis lamented that 2024 had dawned at a time in history in which peace is “increasingly threatened, weakened and in some part lost.”

Citing Russia’s war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, migration, climate crises and the “immoral” production of nuclear and conventional weapons, Francis delivered a lengthy laundry list of the ills afflicting humanity and the increasing violation of international humanitarian law that allows them.

But Francis also listed smaller-scale issues that he said were threats to peace and human dignity, including surrogacy. Francis said the life of the unborn child must be protected and not “suppressed or turned into an object of trafficking.”




Read more: https://apnews.com/article/pope-surrogacy-vatican-russia-israel-ukraine-56acaa8500336db81ee18913a77ddc0f

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Going after the Kardashians, who bought their babies (Kim and Khloe)

[Mawspam2]

2. Perhaps one day surrogacy will be as common as puppy mills...

...but that is certainly not the case now. Butt out old man.

[Buckeyeblue]

3. It's interesting that he didn't list religion as a threat to peace and human dignity

It seems "deeply held religious beliefs" are at the core of many of our problems right now, both domestically and internationally.

[Lonestarblue]

4. Yes, religious extremism causes far more problems than surrogacy ever will.

[Ray Bruns]

9. He also didn't say anything about pedophile priests.

[Rebl2]

14. Agreed

[MaryMagdaline]

5. Clueless

[Oopsie Daisy]

6. One step forward, two steps back.

I hate him.

[maxsolomon]

16. Probably the most progressive Pope of my lifetime.

The RCC is always going to be morally conservative.

[eShirl]

7. how did he think Jesus was born

[Irish_Dem]

8. Exactly. Pope making a total fool of himself.

[3Hotdogs]

10. That one doesn't need the sarcasm thingy.

[FailureToCommunicate]

12. DUzy!

[Mz Pip]

19. Mary

was the most famous surrogate ever.

[Easterncedar]

11. The reduction to the minor point is unbalanced. Credit where due

“Citing Russia’s war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, migration, climate crises and the “immoral” production of nuclear and conventional weapons, Francis delivered a lengthy laundry list of the ills afflicting humanity and the increasing violation of international humanitarian law that allows them.”

His consistent concern for and emphasis on the climate crisis is important. And women are being exploited as surrogacy is being abused.

[sinkingfeeling]

13. I'm so glad I can lead my life and listen to my moral

compass without a pope or religion.

[Random Boomer]

15. I actually agree with him on this issue

Surrogacy is a "service" ripe for abuse. For women who are implanted with a fertilized egg, they are basically renting out their womb and taking on all the risks of pregnancy (which can include life-long damage or even death) for a price. It's barely one step removed from selling your organs. And in cases where the woman is the actual biological mother, impregnated with the father's sperm, there is no "surrogacy" at all; they are simply selling their child. That women are called surrogates in this situation is just smoke and mirrors, a terminology deliberately muddying the waters so the true nature of the transaction isn't as blatantly obvious.

[LudwigPastorius]

17. So, a woman doesn't have the right to do with her body whatever she deems fit?

[Random Boomer]

21. Preying on the poor

Like selling a kidney because you need money to feed your family? That kind of freedom?

[LudwigPastorius]

22. Renting out your womb is much better than scraping up money to put in the church's collection plate in hopes...

that "God will provide" like the priest tells you.

There is also the concept of bodily integrity, which is a fundamental human right.

[EndlessWire]

18. Well, did he say anything about adoption?

I think adoption should be promoted universally. Did he miss the opportunity, or did he just want to claim that surrogacy is baby trafficking? People should be allowed to have families. The only thing that matters in life are the bonds you make. A lot of people can't pay the price of adoption, and seek other ways to become parents. I know surrogates get paid a lot, but still, I'm surprised that the Pope didn't dwell on the principles of universal love. That's his job, isn't it? I'm not Catholic, but don't they have some kind of problem with birth control, anyway? Apologies in advance if I'm out of line for thinking that it smacks of old fashioned control of people through the church, and just another form of trafficking, or deciding who gets to have a family.

I'm so disappointed. Just another guy sticking his nose into other people's bedrooms. You know what I mean. Maybe he should stick to Vatican affairs, if he's going to say this stuff. Power to the People!

[truthisfreedom]

20. If crime is involved, that's a reasonable position

But if surrogacy is necessary because a woman is unable to carry her own child to term for whatever medical reason, there’s no reason to add to the stigma.