Return to Table of Contents

Catholics and Circumcision

Catholics against Circumcision

The early teaching of the Roman Catholic Church regarding the practice of male circumcision was stated by Eugene IV in a Papal Bull, Bull of Union with the Copts, in 1442. Persons who practice circumcision risk loss of eternal salvation. (The Roman Catholic Church and Neonatal Non-therapeutic Circumcision)

This also came from the Pope at the Ecumenical Council of Florence:

Therefore it strictly orders all who glory in the name of Christian, not to practice circumcision either before or after baptism, since whether or not they place their hope in it, it cannot possibly be observed without loss of eternal salvation. (Bull of Union with the Copts)

The principle which holds that all the rites of the Old Testament are a shadow of the reality (cf. Heb 9:9f; 10:1) serves to explain why Jesus would accept them. As with all the other rites, circumcision too is "fulfilled" in Jesus. God's covenant with Abraham, of which circumcision was the sign (cf. Gn 17:13), reaches its full effect and perfect realization in Jesus, who is the "yes" of all the ancient promises (cf. 2 Cor 1:20). (Redemptoris Custos - John Paul II - Apostolic Exhortation (August 15, 1989))

How are these converted Gentiles to live their faith in Jesus? Are they bound by the traditions of Judaism and the law of circumcision? At the first Council, which gathers the members of the different churches together with the apostles in Jerusalem, a decision is taken which is acknowledged as coming from the Spirit: it is not necessary for a Gentile to submit to the Jewish Law in order to become a Christian (cf. Acts 15:5-11, 28). From now on the Church opens her doors and becomes the house which all may enter, and in which all can feel at home, while keeping their own culture and traditions, provided that these are not contrary to the Gospel." (Redemptoris missio - Ioannes Paulus PP. II - Encyclical Letter (1990.12.07))

Acts 15 - Christians for Wholeness

The new (1994) Catechism of the Catholic Church at paragraph 2297 states in part:

Except when performed for strictly therapeutic medical reasons, directly intended amputations, mutilations, and sterilizations performed on innocent persons are against the moral law.

Now, all medical organizations defines neonatal circumcision as a "non-therapeutic" surgical procedure or condemn it totally...

Information quoted on this site is with the written permission of the authors.

Return to Table of Contents