Catholic priest Kelvin Ugwu has shared a detailed reflection explaining why the Catholic Church opposes in vitro fertilisation (IVF), describing the practice as morally wrong according to Church teaching.
In his reflection titled Why the Church Is Against IVF, Father Ugwu outlined the medical steps involved in IVF and explained the ethical concerns raised by the Church.
He noted that IVF generally involves four stages: obtaining sperm from the man, retrieving eggs from the woman, fertilising the egg in a laboratory, and transferring the embryo into the uterus.
While acknowledging the emotional strain experienced by couples facing infertility, the priest emphasised that the Church evaluates both the desire for children and the moral implications of the methods used to conceive.
Moral concerns about sperm collection
Father Ugwu focused particularly on the first stage — obtaining sperm — which he said raises ethical questions within Catholic teaching.
He explained that sperm is often collected through masturbation or sourced from sperm banks, practices the Church considers morally problematic.
He added that donating or receiving sperm introduces additional moral concerns regarding third-party involvement in conception.
“The longing for a child is deeply human and understandable, but the means of achieving that desire also matters morally,” he stated.
According to Catholic doctrine, masturbation is considered morally disordered, while sperm donation and use of donor sperm raise further ethical issues.
Message directed to believers
The priest clarified that his reflection is intended for those guided by faith and Church teaching.
He noted that individuals who do not share religious beliefs may hold different views but encouraged readers to understand the moral reasoning behind the Church’s position.
Medical professionals widely regard IVF as a significant advancement in reproductive medicine, helping many families conceive.
Father Ugwu indicated that his reflection is part of a continuing discussion addressing ethical questions surrounding assisted reproduction.