Infertility is a painful struggle for many couples who long for a child. On February 9, 60 people from Saint Clement and surrounding parishes heard a Catholic perspective on infertility from Dr. Anthony Caruso, who has practiced as a reproductive endocrinologist for 15 years and, with his wife, has six children who were conceived with the help of fertility treatment. Dr. Caruso reviewed the major known causes of infertility, male and female, and the most commonly used infertility treatments, including drugs to stimulate ovulation, in vitro fertilization and its refinements.

Dr. Caruso explained that from a Catholic perspective, the principles guiding infertility treatment are the dignity of every human being and the dignity of marriage. Catholic teaching recognizes that a child is "the supreme gift of marriage" (CCC 2378). Understanding the pain of infertility, the Catholic Church fully supports treatments that heal physical problems and help couples to conceive children through intercourse. In documents such as Donum Vitae (1987) and Dignitas Personae (2008), the Catholic Church has expressed disagreement with methods of assisted reproduction, such as IVF, that separate the conception of a child from the loving intimacy of husband and wife, and can lead to attitudes and practices that do not uphold the dignity of the marriage and the child. All children, including those conceived through assisted reproduction, are beautiful human beings made in the image of God. However, Dr. Caruso spoke to his experience that assisted reproductive technologies encourage the view that children are a commodity rather than a gift -- an attitude that can lead to other troubling practices such as the widespread freezing of embryos, and selective abortion when assisted reproduction leads to a multiple pregnancy. Dr. Caruso discontinued his practice of IVF after understanding Dignitas Personae, and now focuses on natural means of helping couples to conceive.

Dr. Caruso explained some methods of infertility treatment, such as using ovulatory drugs and precisely pinpointing the time of ovulation that are consistent with Catholic teaching and offer realistic hope to couples longing for children. He has seen how infertility can greatly strain a marriage, but also how spouses can get through it together. He encouraged couples facing infertility to put the process and ultimate outcome in God's hands, and to stay focused on their love for each other.

If you or someone you know is facing infertility, please contact a member of the pastoral staff -- the Saint Clement community wants  

to help and support you. Dr. Caruso can be reached at Stannecenter@comcast.net.

• 7:00 a.m. -- Mass with ash distribution, Church
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• 7:30 p.m. -- Mass with ash distribution, Church

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