TCA Fellow Leigh Snead Reflects on Infertility and the Gift of Life in New Catholic Exchange Essay

In an article published by Catholic Exchange, TCA’s Fellow Leigh Fitzpatrick Snead writes about infertility, IVF, and how Catholics can better support couples carrying this cross, in her article titled “Infertility and the Gift of Life.” She writes:

“January is the month of the annual March for Life in Washington, DC. Each year since 1974, pro-lifers have gathered in the nation’s capital to rally and show our elected leaders that we want an end to abortion and to provide greater protections for women and their babies.

“Life is a Gift” is the theme of this year’s march. How beautiful to see an unplanned pregnancy as an unexpected gift! But there’s a flipside to the “gift coin,” and it shows its face when the gift of life doesn’t come when planned or expected.

Those struggling with infertility will likely, in one way or another, face the great temptation of IVF, a practice that routinely ends in the destruction of the smallest—those wee gifts of life—among us. Whether it’s wanting to have a child through a pregnancy just like everyone else or not wanting to deny would-be grandparents the biological grandchild they so desire, the temptation can be strong. All the more reason we need to understand and share with others why our Church opposes the practice. All the more reason, too, we need to push for regulation of this largely unregulated industry. These must also be our pro-life goals.”

Read more of Leigh Fitzpatrick Snead’s article.

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