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Bioethics questions between burgers and beer
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November 30, 2023What can spark deep conversations better than getting together for a bite of food and a drink? And what if, in case, an expert on questions of faith and life is just and hand to answer questions and provoke more thoughts? This happens at Theology on Tap, an initiative of the Young Catholic Adults. The latest edition on Tuesday with Fr. Richard Libby was well attended, with more than 35 young adults gathering at Harrison’s Landing in Corpus Christi.
Fr. Richard Libby, the pastor at St. Helena of the True Cross and Chancellor of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, just finished a year-long course with the National Catholic Bioethics Center, as YCA president Liz Morales mentioned in her introduction. Fr. Libby brought the topic of bioethics close to the life reality of everyone, starting with the question of maintaining the integrity of the human body vs. an amputation that will save the life of the patient: “The benefits must outweigh the negative effects.”
Abortion, Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia are direct attacks on human life – but what about birth control? Artificial insemination? “We should not detach procreation from intimacy,” so Fr. Libby. For that same reason, artificial birth control does not comply with the faith – but the Church allows Natural Family planning, where couples learn to understand the signs of the female body.
Fr. Libby explained the benefits of knowing the guidelines of the Church as a patient and having a healthcare provider who is a practicing Catholic: “They should see the image and liking of God in every patient, seeing Jesus in every patient and treating him or her accordingly.”
More questions followed on birth control, mental health, and abortion when the life of the mother is at stake. At the end, Fr. Libby had these encouraging words for everyone: “It might seem that our faith is threatened today,” he said, but mentioned that when his class finished the course, he felt that they were like 55 mustard seeds being sent to every corner of the nation, growing, and bearing fruit. “And the YCA is a mustard seed, too, when I see how you love each other and welcome everyone.”
