There is no direct specific teaching of the Church about this matter as far as I know. However, there may be some general moral principles which could apply. For instance, a minor child (in the U.S.A. any one under 18) would be morally obliged to obey his or her parents when they forbid a tattoo. Also unnecessary bodily mutilation is forbidden by the fifth commandment. If a tattoo or body piercing or other practices done for aesthetic reasons were to entail what most people would call mutilation, these things could be sinful. If a tattoo were particularly repulsive to most people, obtaining it could also be a violation of Christian charity.
Reprinted April 23, 1999
Is it immoral for infertile couples to get involved in "in vitro"
fertilization? Is it immoral to freeze human embryos?
Yes, it is immoral. All "in vitro" fertilization in general is seriously sinful for those who are involved in it, including the medical and technical personnel, the couple and all who cooperate in the act. It is well to know that there are good Catholic doctors, who abide by the teaching of God and His church on these issues and who are often able to assist infertile couples to have children in a morally acceptable way. Also there is one type of "gamate transfer" that some reliable and truly Catholic theologians (but not all) claim could fall into the realm of the morally permissible. Your parish priest should be able to direct you to a proper source for more advice about these issues. Those who are involved in "in virtro" fertilization often form more human babies in test tubes or dishes than they need and they destroy the "leftovers," thus incurring the additional dreadful mortal sin of those abortions and the ecclesiastical excommunications that fall upon those who do such crimes. Freezing human embryos for future use or destruction, of course, is gravely sinful and might also involve excommunications. Because all these issues can have myriads of aspects and circumstances involve in them, I recommend you talk over these questions and problems with your priest.
Reprinted March 12, 1999
Once my friend said that she saw a priest at a casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Is it a sin for a priest to gamble?
Gambling can be a legitimate form of recreation. It can be sinful for some people, however, they are using money that must be devoted to something else (for instance, a father of a family using the money that is needed for his family, or a priest using money that belongs to someone else or that should be put to other use). Gambling can also be wrong if the odds are skewed, if there is any dishonesty in its presentation, if the person gambling suffers from an addiction to the practice, if it is advertised in such a way as to exploit the poor and gullible, etc. Diocesan priests do not make a vow of poverty and therefore can own property and dispose of this as they wish. It would not necessarily be sinful for such a priest to gamble. It might be noted, however, that diocesan priests in the Diocese of Lincoln are paid very low salaries. If we have any money for gambling, it is likely that we got it from a family inheritance or some other source.
Reprinted from January 22, 1999
Is it a mortal sin for a Catholic to vote for a politician who condones and
votes for abortion and similar things?
It could be. Cooperation in evil can be a sin and even a grievous sin. However, sometimes these matters can be complicated and delicate. Talk this matter over with your parish priest or with the priest who hears your confession. Your priest will not tell you how to vote, but he can help you to form your conscience in a proper way.
Reprinted from October 23, 1998
Is there still a Legion of Decency for Catholic rating of
films or are we suppose to follow the ratings of the Motion Picture Association
of America?
The United States Catholic Conference has an office for films and broadcasting which rates films on their moral suitability. Their rating system is different from that of the MPAA, which seems to use non-Christian moral standards. The USCC rating systems is: A-I (general patronage); A-II (okay for adults and adolescents); A-III (adults only); A-IV (adults, with reservation - not for casual viewing and open to false impressions and interpretations); O (morally offensive). Catholics, especially parents, should not these USCC ratings before viewing a film or allowing minors in their family to view one.l The MPAA system is: G (general audiences); PG (parental guidance suggested); PG-13 (parental guidance and not for children under 13); R (restricted - children under 17 should be accompanied by an adult); NC-17 (children under 17 are not admitted). The MPAA system is not very useful for Catholics. The USCC system should be followed. Motion pictures and videos could be serious occasions of sin.
Reprinted from October 23, 1998
Is it allowed to lie in politics?
Lying, deliberately telling an untruth for the purpose of deception, is always intrinsically evil. It is never permitted. This is a law of God.
Reprinted from September 25, 1998